NRSC To The Rescue?

The Washington Post reports that the cash-strapped National Republican Senatorial Committee is plunking down $150,000 in support of Sen. Collins. TV ads are slated to begin running this week.

Given the NRSC's cash woes and the long list of seats that Senate Republicans are struggling to defend, this is a significant move--and one that speaks volumes. It's the first sign we've seen in a long time that the national GOP is jittery about Collins' prospects.

UPDATE: The Washington Post now says it was wrong:

The NRSC did buy time on Friday in the Portland, Maine media market, a move that when we learned of it, led us to conclude that the committee was set to go on television in support of Collins.

What we failed to realize (dumbly) is that the Portland, Maine media market also reaches into parts of New Hampshire where Sen. John Sununu (R) is fighting for his political life against former governor Jeanne Shaheen.

The time the NRSC bought in Portland then was for the New Hampshire race NOT the Maine race. It's a rookie mistake and one that we simply should not make.

Thought it was a bit of an odd move given that it would have reinforced Collins' connection to the Republican brand.

Separately, I wonder what impact, if any, seeing those New Hampshire ads has on Portland-area voters.