Washington ? National Republicans are engaging in the race between Democratic U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore and GOP challenger Adam Taff after a poll showed the candidates about even.

Television viewers will start seeing commercials today supporting Taff in the race for the 3rd District suburbs of Kansas City, Kan. The House Republicans’ campaign committee is paying for the spots, although spokesman Steve Schmidt would not say how frequently they will air or how much they will cost.

“There’s going to be a significant investment made by the committee,” Schmidt said Wednesday. “Adam Taff has gotten himself right into sight of the finish line. He’s gotten there because he’s a great candidate with a great message, and Dennis Moore votes the wrong way.”

Several prominent Republicans have pleaded for the ads. One was Rep. Todd Tiahrt, who said that national party TV ads helped him oust longtime Democratic Rep. Dan Glickman in 1994.

“I had the momentum; I just needed one boost to get me over the finish line,” Tiahrt said. “Television is probably our greatest single source of information, especially about elections, especially in the last week.”

House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., also asked the committee to help Taff, Tiahrt said. Hastert campaigned for Taff on Wednesday in Overland Park, Kan.

In 2000, the committee spent about $1 million on several weeks of commercials for Republican challenger Phill Kline, whom Moore defeated, 50 percent to 47 percent.

In a poll released Tuesday by The Kansas City Star, 47 percent of registered voters said they support Moore, 44 percent favored Taff, 1 percent preferred someone else and 7 percent were undecided. The survey of 602 registered voters was done late last week.

“We’re in a dogfight here,” said Taff, who added that Moore has outspent him on television by about five to one. “It’s so difficult, especially with limited funds, to respond on television.”

Moore spokesman Jack Martin said: “They’re obviously worried that voters have found out about Taff’s support for a $254 million tax refund for Enron and privatization of Social Security.”

Moore, a former prosecuting attorney, is seeking a third term in his heavily Republican district. His campaign is making the Enron and Social Security claims in a new commercial criticizing Taff.