Peterson on GOP’s ‘Retirement Assault List’

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) thinks it can convince 17 Democrats — including Minnesota Rep. Collin Peterson — to retire before next year’s election. The “Dem Retirement Assault List” targets 14 seats in districts that voted for Sen. John McCain in the 2008 election, plus three other Democrats in districts Barack Obama won.

“Applying constant pressure in combination with the looming threat of a credible challenge is what should make every single one of these guys think twice,” a GOP strategist told Hotline On Call.

But that pressure seems weak so far: press releases criticizing the incumbents, plus a little money thrown to media buys in certain districts. But the emphasis goes on the word “little”: in three districts — not including Peterson’s 7th — a total of $6,300 was spent by the NRCC on ad buys.

Last November, Peterson was re-elected with 72.2 percent of the vote. The Federal Elections Commission shows no 2010 challengers for his seat.

Representatives from neighboring states making the NRCC’s list: North Dakota Rep. Earl Pomeroy and Iowa Rep. Leonard Boswell.