Councilwoman Janice Hahn is considered a strong favorite to beat Craig Huey in next month's special Congressional election. She's such a shoo-in, in fact, that her top threat may be the apathy of her own supporters.

To win, Hahn needs to get Democrats riled up. But how? What could motivate an apathetic Democrat to get off the couch and cast a ballot?

Green jobs? Pictures of wind farms? Quinoa subsidies?


No, no and no.

In a new TV spot out today, Hahn attacks Huey by comparing him to Alaska-governor-turned-liberal-bogeywoman Sarah Palin:

Sarah Palin and Craig Huey
Which would ban a woman's right to choose in every case? Both Palin and Huey.

Ahhhh! Scared yet?

This is an unusually negative way to start a campaign, especially for a front-runner. But with low turnout expected for the July 12 runoff, and Huey's large checkbook, Hahn is leaving nothing to chance.

Dave Gilliard, Huey's campaign consultant, fired back:

“It is a shame that Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn would choose to launch her run-off campaign with a nasty, negative attack ad that twists and distorts the truth. It says a lot, especially about Hahn's disregard for the intelligence of the voters in the 36th district and her understanding of her own vulnerabilities.”

Well, it ain't beanbag…

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