Republicans should have easily taken back New York's 20th Congressional district in the March 31st Special election. The GOP has a 15 % edge in voter registration over Democrats in the sprawling district the stretches from the Albany suburbs to Mid Hudson Valley. The Republicans even nominated long time Assembly leader Jim Tedisco, a local college basketball legend with a conservative fiscal record in New York's lower house. Now comes the stunning news that Tedisco trails his Democratic opponent, businessman Scott Murphy in a new poll of likely voters commissioned by the National Republican Congressional Committee. The bad polling news comes on the heels of a controversial ad run by the National Republican Trust, which is not an official Party organization but a Political Action Committee set up by veterans of the Bill Clinton witch-hunt, including private investigator Scott Wheeler who serves as Chairman of the rogue group. The organization has used Internet advertising on NEWSMAX, which is owned by Palm Beach business man Christopher Ruddy, a long time associate of multi-millionaire Richard Scaife who funded much of the anti-Clinton investigations. NRT's crude ad accused Murphy of having an interest in an India -based business "creating jobs in India" and ignored Murphy's many business ventures in New York. The voters didn't seem to care- by 16 to 63, they thought Tedisco's ham-handed effort to avoid taking a position on the Obama stimulus bill was more important than Murphy's business deals abroad. Wheeler melted down in an on the recorded phone conversation with the Albany Times Union, which the paper posted on its website.

Dick Morris

What's more, the NRT has strange links with Dick Morris, the toe-sucking, prostie-using former Clinton political strategist. According to FEC reports Morris has been paid handsomely to endorse the NRT's fundraising. Self-described "wingnut" and Army veteran Wheeler denies he takes direction from Morris, yet the groups'TV ads last year against Obama looked like Morris's handiwork in their slash and burn negative tone and substance. Panic has set in at the National Republican Congressional Committee and the Republican National Committee. Party pros point out that Wheeler has no experience in elective politics and a big checkbook. Some have urged RNC Chairman Michael Steele to call on all independent groups to stay out of the special election. With friends like Scott Wheeler, Dick Morris and the National Republican Trust, Jim Tedisco doesn't need enemies.