WASHINGTON BRIEFING

ESCALATING AIR WARS: In attacks rare for a non-election year, Republicans have been running radio ads against two dozen Democratic House members who voted for the President’s deficit-cutting plan. “Largest tax increase in American history,” the ads railed, urging constituents to protest. . . . Democrats attempted to blunt the charges with ads accusing Republicans of “trying to block real change” by supporting “tax breaks for the rich.” The Democrats also went after a dozen GOP House members--including John T. Doolittle and Richard W. Pombo of California--charging in 30-second spots that they backed “drastic cuts in programs for seniors and children.”