Weekly Open Thread: What Races Are You Interested In?

(Bumped – promoted by James L.)

And what a week it's been. 

Update (Trent): In adddition to the usual open thread banter, we're gonna throw in a caption contest. Let's see what you guys can come up with for this photo taken today of Alabama Ag Commissioner Ron Sparks:

31 thoughts on “Weekly Open Thread: What Races Are You Interested In?”

  1. “Even when the label is removed, Jack Daniels is still considered an alcoholic beverage. Any other questions?”

  2. Michigan’s 7th District has gotten a lot of attention lately, but one last item to round out the week.

    Prior to Mark Schauer getting into the race, a poll was conducted in the district which looks at the possibility of former Republican Congressman Joe Schwarz running as a Democrat and as an independent. There’s some interesting data in there, a lot of which is encouraging to Democrats in the district, regardless of what Schwarz does.

  3. I’m curious about Virginia because when analyzing it, everyone always assumes two things about: 1. That John Warner will retire; and 2. Mark Warner will then step in and become the Democratic nominee.  Now, I think those things are going to happen, too, but since both are yet to occur, I’m wondering who we have on deck in the even that either J. Warner decided to stay in the Senate for an extra term for whatever reason or M. Warner passes or drops out of the race (which would most likely happen if he knows or has reason to believe that he’s going to be the VP nominee).

    I also want to know who we’ve got on our side in the Illinois races.  The 6th and the 10th should have competitive demographics with the right candidates and the 14th and the 18th should be good pickup opportunities as open seats.  None of these races are slam dunks for us by any stretch, but with voters coming out to elect Durbin as opposed to Blagovich and the possibility of a homestate Senator at the #1 or #2 position on the ballot make these races well worth contesting.

    And, umm, I’ll get back to y’all on the Sparks thing.

    1. Was touted for MS, not VA?

      Anyhow, Deeds lost a very narrow heart-breaker. According to wpedia, it was the closest election in VA history, “323 votes or about 0.0001615%.” I think it’s hard to get tainted as a loser when just a sneezeful of votes would have changed the end result. In any event, what has Deeds been up to these past couple of years?

  7. Bob Kerrey’s moving toward a bid. Hagel’s going to decide by Labor Day. We’re going to know exactly where we stand in Nebraska in just a couple of weeks.

  11. There is a possibility that NJ Democrats will lose their majority in the State Senate this year.  There are several close races and with two Democratic state senators already indicted its going to be a close year. 

    There are several chances for a Democratic pick ups and if we won those seats the majority would be 25-15.  But they are challenges and sometimes Jersey doesn’t seem so blue when it comes down to it.  These off year elections make it hard to attract people to vote.  If turnout were higher there wouldnt be a problem.  But that takes money and people out there reminding people to vote.

    There are parts of the state that Democrats still ignore and that makes it harder in regular election years for us to make progress in the congressional races.

  13. What are the prospects of a successful primary challenge to Dan Lipinski next year? Considering the demographics of that district, he’s a really lousy Democrat.

    And I’m really wishing we’d finally see the North Carolina Senate race more clearly. Dole should be vulnerable (favored, but vulnerable).

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