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Saturday, December 31, 2005

Weekly Open Thread: What Races Are You Interested In?

Posted by DavidNYC

Happy New Year!

Posted at 10:57 AM in Open Threads | Technorati

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Comments

hm only what about 300 days left untill we win back the house and senate.

Posted by: D in FL. [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 31, 2005 02:16 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Texas Update

Official Democratic challengers so far (though Friday)

TX-01 (Gohmert): Roger Owen
TX-02 (Poe): Nobody
TX-03 (Johnson): Dan Dodd
TX-04 (Hall): Glenn Melancon
TX-05 (Hensarling): Charlie Thompson
TX-06 (Barton): David Harris
TX-07 (Culberson): Jim Henley
TX-08 (Brady): The lesser known Jim Wright
TX-10 (McCaul): Pat Mynatt, Kyle Kincaid, and Ted Ankrum
TX-11 (Conaway): Nobody
TX-12 (Granger): Nobody
TX-13 (Thornberry): Nobody
TX-14 (Paul): Shane Sklar
TX-19 (Neugebauer): Robert Ricketts
TX-21 (Smith): John Courage
TX-22 (DeLay): Nick Lampson (who will file on Monday, or else. :D)
TX-23 (Bonilla): Rick Bolanos
TX-24 (Marchant): Nobody
TX-26 (Burgess): Nobody
TX-31 (Carter): Mary Beth Harrell
TX-32 (Sessions): Will Pryor

More candidates are expected on Monday (which is the final day to file)

Posted by: RBH [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 31, 2005 03:33 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Anything in MN, and I heard an interesting rumour the other day that Ford Bell might switch over and run against Ramstad in the 3rd CD.

Posted by: Trinhmaster [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 31, 2005 05:11 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I heard that same rumor...but I have trouble believing that it is true. I am not sure why Bell would do this, Ramstad is very moderate and widely popular. I cant understand the reasoning behind a switch in races, Ford is making some noise in the Senate race.

Posted by: DFLer22 [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 31, 2005 06:05 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I'm interested in the 3rd Distict KY race against Ann Northup, for the Dems who are still trying to figure out if there will be a primary. Horne, a fighting Dem, progressive, Marine who spent 2004 in Iraq as mentioned on Swing State Project in mid December, is best positioned to beat Ann Northup. Unfortunately a more establishment fringe Dem is still in the mix; maybe he could win the primary because his base are the people who turn out for the primary. But he wouldn't take Northup because she'd slash him with his own words from his decades long editorial history in the press, the blue advertising in his newspaper, and his weekly talk show that has staked him out in such a way that the majority of voters will look elsewhere. Where was this guy last year when the Louisville Dems fielded an ultra conservative loser in Tony Miller? We know where Horne was.

Posted by: mimi [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 31, 2005 06:08 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I'm interested in KY-03 FL-15 and the Ohio Senate race. and of course getting people to run in Texas. I think KY-03 is the perfect 50-50 that we have to win to take back the Majority and the Same goes for the Ohio Senate race. Which i am pushing for both fighting dems. in both races best of luck to Paul Hackett and Horne in there races. And on FL-15 well Weldon is my corrupt congressman so i have to be interested in that who is running here i heard somone was but not sure who...

Posted by: D in FL. [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 31, 2005 07:02 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

The Florida Secretary of State site lists a man by the name of Timothy Shipe has having filed in FL-15

Posted by: RBH [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 31, 2005 08:05 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

CT-02. This is a congressional race that the Democrats can win. The incumbent Republican, Rob Simmons, tries to portray himself as a moderate Republican. Once in a while he votes independently, but for the most part he's a good Republican foot soldier. This is a Democratic District. We have a good candidate (www.joecourtney.com) already, and are determined to send another Dem to Washington. We hope we'll get help from outside the district, as this is not the wealthy part of Connecticut and we'll need it! If the House goes Democratic, a lot of good things can happen in Washington.

Posted by: MVD [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 31, 2005 08:24 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I hadn't heard about Ford Bell considering a run against Ramstad. I actually think it would be a good move. Bell is a very strong candidate and with 2006 likely to be a Democratic year, he would probably give Ramstad his best battle since the very first time he ran, perhaps holding him to less than 60%. This would position Bell very nicely in the event that Ramstad decides to retire in the coming years. Bell's Senate run is going nowhere, but it has given him recognition by the party as a sharp tack whose talents should be applied at some level. I definitely think Bell should consider a run against Ramstad, even though it would assuredly be a suicide run in the short term.

Posted by: Mark [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 31, 2005 09:05 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

On Ford running in Ramstads seat i don't know i think if you have a good candidate you can turn any race into a competitive race. How good is Ford as a candidate? Ramstad voted to approve the Bush tax cuts voted for the Medicare/Rx bill and voted for the Ban's on Partial-Birth Abortion and same-sex marriage in this 50-50 district that can be used to our advantage.

Posted by: D in FL. [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 31, 2005 09:35 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Yes, id like to talk more about MN, too. In particulary the 6th cd. i would really love it if Patty Wetterling would get out of that senate race (she has no chance-anyone can see this) and run against Bachmann. elwyn, i cant remember how to spell his lastname (forgive me) is not nearly as good of a candidate as wetterling. ive heard rumors (for whatever thats worth) that wetterling turned down an offer by mike hatch to run with him as lt. governor. patty wetterling is a GREAT candidate and id hate to see her waste her potential in a race that she has NO chance in. just look at tarryl clark-she almost beat dave kleis in a very prolife/conservative senate district in 2002 which was an AWFUL yr for the dfl. she waited, ran again and won BIG. i believe she we wouldve won without all of the nonsense/bs that went on there. people got to know her and trust her and that helped against all of the typical attacks. the people of the 6th cd know wetterling and like/trust her.

anyone got any thoughts on this?

Posted by: jcb [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 31, 2005 10:04 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

At its core, Wetterling's reasoning is solid - she got 47% in one of the most conservative CDs in Minnesota, thus if she were to make it through the endorsement and primary, she would almost certainly outperform herself statewide, where the numbers lean a good deal more to the left. However, I agree that the writing is on the wall as far as her Senate candidacy goes. There's still time before the CD endorsing conventions, and there's nothing that says she can't drop the congressional race after the caucuses and whoop up on Tinklenberg in a primary.

As for a potential Bell vs. Ramstad rumble in the 3rd, I'm not so sure it would be a suicide run. Ramstad is definitely the most moderate of the four current GOP congressmen from Minnesota, but just being in the middle of the spectrum isn't necessarily helpful. His opponent would be a straight shooter with statewide name-rec, and if Ramstad moves any further to the left, he risks losing the support of his base, a la Senator Chafee in Rhode Island. Having made a deal-with-the-devil pact with the Religious Right is a tough position for moderate Republicans to be in. I think Ford Bell could give him a run for his money.

Posted by: JelloAbode [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 1, 2006 11:32 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Wetterling is a great candidate on paper, but is decidedly un-charismatic and wet behind the ears as a politician. I think she needs to hone her skills before she's ready for a Senate run, where her greenness would be on display for everybody in debates with Kennedy. Nonetheless, she is a straight-shooting and appealing person who may still be able to beat the sleazy and unlikable Kennedy if it came to that, but I'd be much more comfortable about her chances against Michele Bachmann (or Phil Krinkie) in MN-06. I've seen no evidence thus far that she has any intention of abandoning her Senate run though.

Ramstad is much closer to the politics of George Bush than Lincoln Chafee. His district is becoming less Republican and a solid challenger like Ford Bell would give him a great run. I don't expect Bell would win in 2004 given Ramstad's solid support, but he'd position himself well for future runs.

jcb, MN Senate District 15 isn't really that conservative. St. Cloud is a college town that went for both Al Gore and John Kerry, as did its adjacent suburb Waite Park (although it went for Kerry by only ONE VOTE). Nonetheless, Dave Kleis is, for some reason, quite popular there. Clark's 2002 performance was impressive all things considered, but her 2005 performance was absolutely astonishing.

Posted by: Mark [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 1, 2006 12:42 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Ca-11, Jerry McNerney vs. Richard Pombo.

Posted by: tronyea [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 1, 2006 06:51 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

About the Minnesota Senate race, I believe the candidate we need to back is Amy Klobuchar. I want to go with the polling numbers and she has a major lead over Kennedy. Ford Bell needs to drop out of the race mainly because he has a lack of experience. The race I am really interested in is the Ohio Governers race and the Ohio senate race. I also want to know more about the Democratic primary in the Ohio Senate race. I am hoping and praying that Paul Hackett gets the nomination. Mainly because I live in the second congressional district of Ohio. (Clermont County) During Hackett's campaign I was a strong supporter and I love Hackett's policies. He is basically a moderate and doesn't believe in gun control which will convince independent and leaning republican voters who see Democrats as peace loving hippies. Hackett can win the race and pick up voters where Sherrod Brown cannot.

Posted by: Craig [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 1, 2006 09:58 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

yes, patty wetterling would be a GREAT candidate for senate-along w/klobuchar. the only problem is that wetterling has got NO chance. what i was trying to get at here with this was do you think if some dfl higherups went to her and said get out-run for the 6th cd, do you think she would do it? i hate to see wasted potential and this seems to be a big case of it. i lived in Mass. in 2002 when a bunch of MassGOP activists (yes they exist : ) created a site called enlistmitt.com to get mitt romney to come back from utah and run for gov. he was already interested and that website and support he got only helped. i dont know anything about it (websites, activism) but i really think something has got to be done here. i dont want bachmann embarrasing this state, shes gonna be the gop's candidate, too. she ALWAYS finds a way to win-thats just anonther way that she reminds my of rick santorum.

would any of you guys be interested? do you think something like that would work. if dems are gonna take over the house theyre gonna have to win seats like the 6th. i dont think theyll win the house btw, but i still think we should try.

Posted by: jcb [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 1, 2006 09:59 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I DO think the Dems will win back the House, and I don't necessarily think that MN-06 is a required contribution to that lexicon....but it would be a great feather in the cap nonetheless. I know nothing about El Tinklenberg, but he's got a serious uphill fight to win in this district. Nonetheless, I can't see Michele Bachmann playing in St. Cloud, Blaine or even Woodbury. If the GOP picks her over Krinkie or Knoblach, they'll risk throwing away an otherwise safe victory.

As for Wetterling, I see no evidence that she's open to giving up her Senate run. It seems as though a repeat run for MN-06 is not on her radar screen, so if the DFL wants to convince her to trade races, it would seem they have their work cut out for them.

Posted by: Mark [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 1, 2006 10:22 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

i think the dems have a great opportunity to pick up seats, most likely will. there just arent that many competitive disticts-especially with the lack of a coherent party platform/message so far. in either case, dems cannot just write of the 6th cd. i dont think colleen rowley has a chance-she doesnt understand politics. and tim walz has got a HUGE uphill climb, although i salute/respect him for tryin

Posted by: jcb [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 1, 2006 10:55 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

jcb, a "coherent party platform/message" is overrated. The Republicans are trying to bait us with that so they can then connect the dots between Gene Taylor and Nancy Pelosi, between Heath Shuler and Howard Dean, between Mike Moore and Michael Moore. If the Dems do come forward with a cogent national party message, it would have to be broad enough not to sabotage red-state Democrats...and that broadness would negate its effectiveness.

I think you grossly underestimate the number of competitive seats. I was counting what I would consider top-tier pickup opportunities yesterday and came up with 26, more than enough to take back the House.

Like you, I'm pessimistic about Coleen Rowley's chances but am impressed with Tim Walz. If the stars line up right, a full-blooded challenge by him may be enough to take down Gil Gutknecht in the current climate. I wouldn't bet the farm on it, but I think Walz's chances are better than Rowley's.

Posted by: Mark [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 2, 2006 12:10 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

26 pick up opportunities? id like to see that list : ) lol. in that list, do you have 'top tier' candidates. you know i live in PA now and Tim Murphy is my congressman. he is EXTREMELY vulnerable, but no good opponent. there are some who could take him down (Barbara Hafer, Allen Kukovich, etc.) but arent running. do you include murphy in your analysis?

Posted by: jcb [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 2, 2006 12:24 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Hm i think we have a good shot in the following districts Alot of it depends on who the Dem. Nominee is but there are some districts that i belive are competitve no matter what. Anyone want to add somthing?

AZ-01 (depends on who is running.)
AZ-08
CA-04 (if the corruption builds up.)
CO-04
CO-07
CT-02
CT-04
CT-05 (maybe depends on Dem. Nominee.)
FL-13 (depends on Nominees.)
FL-22
IL-06
IL-10 (Do we have a strong Candidate here?)
IN-02 (depends on Nominee.)
IN-08 (depends on Nominee.)
IN-09
IA-01
IA-02 (Depends on Nominee.)
IA-04 (Depends on Nominee.)
KY-03
LA-06 (depends on Evacuees of Hurricane Katrina.)
MI-09 (depends on Nominee.)
MN-01 (depends on Nominee.)
MN-03 (maybe if Ford runs...)
MN-06 (Depends on Nominee.)
NV-03 (Depends on Nominee.)
NH-01 (Depends on Nominee.)
NH-02 (Depends on Nominee.)
NJ-02 (Depends on Nominee.)
NJ-03 (Depends on Nominee.)
NM-01
NY-03 (Depends on Nominee.)
NY-25 (Depends on Nominee.)
NY-29 (Depends on Nominee.)
OH-01 (Depends on Nominee.)
OH-02 (If Jean is the Republican Nominee.)
OH-12 (Depends on Nominee.)
OH-15
OH-18 (If Corruption builds up.)
PA-06
PA-07 (Depends on Nominee.)
PA-08 (Awesome Fighting Dem. running.)
PA-10 (Awesome Fighting Dem. Running.)
PA-15 (Depends on Nominee.)
TX-22
VA-02 (I think Ashe will do better this time also i belive Tim Kaine won this distrct not positive.)
VA-11 (Depends on Nominee.)
WA-08
WV-02
WY-AL (she is weaker than you think.)

Posted by: D in FL. [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 2, 2006 01:21 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Mark: You're 1,000% right about having a "coherent party platform." Check out the recent story in The New Republic, titled something like, "Against New Ideas."

Posted by: DavidNYC [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 2, 2006 01:22 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Hi All -- Hope you all had good holidays.

D in FL -- I think your list is a bit overly optimistic, but generally on target. I'm typically a pessimistic person (especially when it comes to my sports teams and political candidates!), but I think we've got a 50/50 shot at the House because we've potentially put so many more seats in play than the GOP. I'm not at all optimistic about a few of the seats you mention (MN 3, IA4, the NH seats, Cubin in Wyoming -- sorry, I don't see any of those happening), but other than a few, I think you've laid out the battleground. Even if President Bush rebounds a bit, and things swing back a little bit to the Republicans, we're still going to have many more quality candidates in place. And further, given that we've lost the last several elections, when you've lost most of the things you have to lose, rebounding becomes easier!!

One other thing -- I'd like to add my voice to those skeptical about the necessity and wisdom of a singular national strategy. Look at the list D in FL provided -- those include districts (both where we're challenging incumbents and fighting for open seats) in every region in the country, urban, suburban, and rural, light blue to light red, etc. As Mark said, we need to be careful not to play into a strategy that will let the GOP "Ted Kennedy" every moderate and conservative Democrat.

Posted by: IndianaProgressive [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 2, 2006 01:50 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Oh, and D in FL, I think two very in-play seats you did not include are vulnerable Republcians Charlie Taylor (ethical sleezebag) and Robin Hayes (free trader in textile country) in North Carolina.

Posted by: IndianaProgressive [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 2, 2006 01:55 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Barbara Cubin seems to be weak for being in a state that went for Bush with 69%. Cubin has two opponents. One is Ted Ladd, who ran in 2004. The other is Gary Trauner.

I think a chunk of the seriously contested seats won't be known for another 5 months or so.

But I like the fact that the Dems are up high on the generic ballot (I'm pretty sure having 8 point leads with 11 months left is pretty rare)

Posted by: RBH [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 2, 2006 03:34 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I agree with about half of D in FL's list, along with NC-08 and NC-11, which IndianaProgressive mentioned. I would also add NY-19 and NY-20. If Ken Lucas is persuaded to jump into the race, I'd also go with KY-04.

Posted by: Mark [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 2, 2006 10:38 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

In MN-01 the nominee is going to be Tim Walz, there is no other democrat in the contest.
In MN-06 the nominee is going to be El Tinklenberg. Scott Mortenson, the very liberal ex-priest dropped out a few weeks ago. Tinklenberg is now unopposed for the DFLs nod.

I am behind Walz 100% and have been fairly impressed with El Tinklenberg as well. These two guys represent the best pick-up opportunities in Minnesota.
Besides these two races I am excited about MN-SEN, MN-GOV, MT-SEN, and OH-SEN. I also am a big fan of Harold Ford, Jr. in TEN-SEN.

Posted by: DFLer22 [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 2, 2006 11:34 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

D in FL you also forgot WI-08. Its a lean GOP district but its an open seat and we've got a couple real good candidates on our side

Posted by: safi [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 2, 2006 01:20 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Filing news in Texas

TX-02: Somebody is rumored to be filing for the Dems today
TX-12: A guy named John R. Morris filed
TX-22: Nick Lampson officially filed
TX-24: Gary Page will probably file today

Posted by: RBH [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 2, 2006 01:38 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I'm surprised not to see more out there on the Texas filing deadline.. 6pm today. And still three seats with no rumors about candidates at all, at least from what I can tell.

Posted by: lpackard [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 2, 2006 01:54 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Oh i didn't know WI-08 opened up. Must of missed that yeah add that on if we can get a good Nominee i think we take it. Does Tim Walz look like he has a chance at it? on NC-08 and NC-11 i don't know it is a red distrct with a red congressman but maybe they have pissed the people off enough in the district Who is running on the Dem side? Same thoughts on NY-19 and NY-20. and KY-04 has Lucas filed or is he just considering it in any case i would put KY-04 In the depends on Nominee column.

Posted by: D in FL. [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 2, 2006 01:55 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

FYI
TX-13-Roger J. Waun

Posted by: chautcountydem [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 2, 2006 03:45 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Does anybody have any Lico Reyes sightings to report when it comes to TX-26?

Posted by: RBH [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 2, 2006 03:47 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

We have more candidates in Texas!

TX-01: Duane Shaw
TX-02: Gary E. Binderim
TX-10: Sid Smith and Paul Foreman
TX-24: Gary R. Page
TX-26: Tim Barnwell

Right now, candidates have filed in 31 of 32 Congressional districts.

TX-11, the most Republican district in the country, is the only Texas district without a Democrat. Yet.

Posted by: RBH [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 2, 2006 06:43 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Personally I think Tim Walz has a chance. Obviously, a lot of things have to go his way. But he is a great candidate (Award-winning High School Teacher, National Guardsman, Father) running in a district that went only 51% for Bush.
His fundraising has been pretty good considering what he is up against (a 6-term Incumbent), and will seemingly only get better.
If he can talk populism, and use his record as a Command Sgt. Major (Ret.) from the National Guard, he will have a great chance. Especially given the current situation (Gutknecht votes 94% of the time with King George).

Posted by: DFLer22 [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 3, 2006 12:21 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

This might seem like an odd idea as it will involve someone not in the DFL (to my knowledge): But is there any rumbling about Tim Penny making an endorsement or taking sides in the race? I know that Penny preceded Gutknecht and in the 2002 race, he won 7 counties in the district (Olmstead, Fillmore, Mower, Freeborn, Faribault, Dodge, and Waseca counties).

In the scheme of things, it would be pretty helpful to get a popular former Congressman with "crossover appeal" to endorse Walz. Sure, I can understand if Democrats up there have dislike for him (granted, I think Pawlenty beats Moe in a head to head race). But if "local starpower" is needed, then hopefully it's available.

Posted by: RBH [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 3, 2006 01:49 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

The only way I could see a Tim Penny endorsement of Walz having a serious effect is if it took place in a strategic televised setting such as a large Walz rally on the Sunday before the election. I live in Penny's home county (Freeborn) and while he remains quietly popular, he's never really been the kind of rock star who can drag a Democratic challenger across the finish line. He tried on several occasions with the campaigns of late 90's "blue dogs" such as Mary Rieder and Tracy Beckman, neither of whom won.

Traditional DFL activists failed to endorse Penny in the later elections as he voted more with Bush-41 on the meat-and-potatoes issues than did former Senator Dave Durenberger. Basically, like most centrists, his support was a mile wide but an inch thick. His endorsement of Walz wouldn't hurt, but seems unlikely to tilt the outcome of the race by itself.

Walz is a very impressive candidate. He seems like the right guy at the right time. Gutknecht's decision to break his term limits pledge, and particularly his cartoonish support for the war in Iraq in an area where very few people supported the war even in 2003, could conceivably make him vulnerable against opposition that isn't as token-ish as Leigh Pomeroy. At the very least, Walz could drag Gutknecht's numbers down by enough to mount another challenge in '08.

Posted by: Mark [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 3, 2006 02:22 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

i am really interested in the Colorado 7th district race. The primary should be the most competitive part of this race; two former state legislatures, Ed Perlmutter and Peggy Lamm, are attempting to win the Democratic primary. The Republican is rick O'donnel, a right-wing hack that has had Cheney in town to campaign for him (after the VA Gov. Race that may be a shot of poison). What do you think?

Posted by: jake martin [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 3, 2006 06:20 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

A lot more races got interesting now that Jack. Abe has reached a plea deal.

Posted by: D in FL. [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 3, 2006 10:59 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I am a friend of Tim Penny's and there has been talk of an endorsement. He does quietly support Walz, though has not come public with it. Minneapolis Democrats do dislike Penny, but out-state Democrats seem to have a better understanding of the guy.
An endorsement by Penny would definately be another way for Walz to keep pushing the "big Mo" in this race.

Posted by: DFLer22 [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 3, 2006 12:25 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I have about one more week's worth of optimism that we will get a candidate in NY-13 to take on Vito.

http://ny13.blogspot.com/

Posted by: jonahinnyc [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 3, 2006 02:01 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Of course, the Ohio Senate race is key. Unfortunately, it's already lost if Sherrod Brown wins the primary. He showed on an interview on the local NPR station this morning that he is completely oblivious to what the repub;icans can and will do to him, haughtily and superciliously maintaining that his great progressive voting record is somehow going to win him votes among Republicans and independents. He thinks it's not important if people think he's "too liberal," but he needs to deal with this, becuase they're going to swift-boat him as the most liberal thing ever to walk upright and it WILL stick and DeWine WILL be re-elected if he can keep himself at a distance from the scandals, both state and national. I'm more convinced daily that Paul Hackett MUST be the nominee or we are not going to pick up a Senate seat in Ohio, and I don't care WHAT the preliminary polls say — most people haven't even given this race enough thought to have a solid opinion yet, and both Brown and Hackett are relatively unknown as yet statewide.

Posted by: Ansatasia P [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 4, 2006 01:55 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment