National Dems reserve $700K ad buy in AZ-8

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle GiffordsThe Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is reserving $705,000 worth of TV ads in the 8th Congressional District to help re-elect U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Tucson), according to documents obtained by PolitickerAZ.com.

The independent expenditure reserves 5,000 commercial spots to run in the 8th district, likely during September and October.

As pointed out in the Washington Post:

"Political parties and candidates frequently reserve advertising time in advance to obtain a lower price from television stations than might be available later. Final decisions on spending are normally made closer to the elections."

Even so, such a move may raise the stakes for the National Republican Congressional Committee, the Republican National Committee and others who have targeted the 8th district as one of their best shots at picking up a seat in 2008 - an election season that does not have many bright spots for Republicans' congressional prospects.

Both Democrats and Republicans are focused on the race for the 8th district, where freshman Giffords is facing a well funded, high profile challenge from state Sen. Pres. Tim Bee (R-Tucson) for the seat, long held by Republican Jim Kolbe. However, with the DCCC enjoying a massive cash advantage over the NRCC of about $55 million to the NRCC's roughly $8 million, it remains to be seen whether the latter group will try to keep up with the former's spending.