So says Clarion Ledger columnist and blogger Sid Salter. The N.E. Miss. Daily Journal also notes that Wicker & his wife met with Barbour yesterday.
Despite MS-01 being an R+10 district, Salter thinks that the open-seat race here (should Wicker get tapped) would be a “spirited” one. And though I haven’t delved into the numbers myself, I’m told that this area is considered competitive, at least on a state & local level.
But at least for another day or so, this is all in the realm of speculation.
Who can Democrats get to run for this seat?
I'm having a hard time seeing us taking the seat, UNLESS the Republicans nominate either Giuliani or Romney.
Now that we've rambled on about Hillary's contribution to the demise of the MS Democratic Party, let's get back on task.
The Democratic candidate will most likely be former governor Musgrove. If there's anything he can do, it's separate himself from New England Democrats. He'll be a great candidate.
On the Republican side, we'll find out in about 1.5 hours who Gov. Barbour will appoint. If it's Wicker, Musgrove will have a great shot at beating him. Wicker is AWFUL! If Wicker's seat becomes available, expect the DCCC to field a good candidate. The 1st District has a lot of old-school Democrats that would vote for a good-ole boy Democrat. In our state elections in November, Democrats won the state senate thanks to knocking off a Republican incumbent and winning an open Republican seat. Both seats are in the 1st District.
Regardless of what happens today, expect the DSCC and NRSC to put a lot of money into this seat. The NRSC, obviously, can ill afford to spend money in what is typically a reliable Republican state. Looks like Tom Allen and Jeff Merkley caught a break, too.
Governor Barbour will appoint Rep. Roger Wicker to the Senate seat.
Also, governor Musgrove will NOT run for the seat. Apparently, he and Wicker are too good of friends to run against each other. They both served in the state senate together back in the early 90s.
Terrible news! Unless the Democrats can find one hell of a candidate, expect this seat to stay Republican.