• by August 27, 2004

So, the Republicans are about to hit the Big Apple and many folks have already cleared out of town. Those of us who plan to hang around are figuring out how we'll observe, or participate in the action. And the week promises plenty of action-from the parties and the protests, to the hucksterism and blustery media coverage.

There will also be plenty of action online. In fact, it's already begun. Apart from an aggressive online and cable TV ad campaign by the Bush/Cheney campaign, an online ad campaign broke today spearheaded by the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

According to the media plan obtained by MediaDailyNews, the NRSC has made buys through September 4 on several sites including Fox, CBS MarketWatch, Wall Street Journal Online, Forbes, Weekly Standard, Reuters, and the Drudge Report. On Fox.com, the ads will appear on the site's "You Decide 2004" and U.S.: World/Business/Politics sections, as well as on the home page. One of the ads features Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle with the headline: "Stop the obstruction. Retire Tom Daschle."

The NRSC's site features Daschle's mug on a campaign button with a big red slash through it. There are similar buttons for "Stop Hilary Now."

The NRSC's week-long campaign guarantees nearly 5 million online impressions.