Get out or go modern: Longtime Congress members face decision in re-election campaigns
By APTuesday, June 15, 2010
Old-timers go modern to stay in Congress
SEDALIA, Mo. — After more than three decades in Congress, Ike Skelton is going modern.
The 78-year-old Democrat from rural Missouri is facing what may be the most difficult election of his career. But he’s trying to adapt. Skelton has embraced Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. He’s amassing thousands of e-mail addresses and hired a cadre of consultants to manage his message.
Across the country, members of Congress are facing voters who are skeptical or angry. Unlike Skelton, some longtime incumbents have chosen to retire instead of ramp up for another campaign.
Some who are running are embracing new technology, hiring staff sooner and stockpiling cash instead of giving it away to others.
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