This post is a bit delayed -- for some reason I could not get in to my account.
I have been trying to keep up with the 2006 elections, but I have to admit it that I have let some races slide as responsibilities have interfered. Also for us in East Texas, not much is happening. Louie Gohmert (R) should cruise to a win for the district's congressional seat--his Democrat opponent has had media problems over some sort of arrest in Florida. Surely the Democrats are capable of finding someone better. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R) should cruise to reelection. The Governor's race has been a bit more lively with Kinky Friedman making his one-line quips--his only problem is that some have racial overtones. I think Rick Perry (R) should be reelected, although no one is excited about him.
A month or two ago it looked like Democrats would easily take over the Senate and House, but it has been getting increasingly more competitive. Michael Barone projects a slight Democrat majority in the new House. Larry Sabato sees a nip and tuck race for Senate control. You also have to consider governor races if you are looking ahead to redistricting. Dick Morris seems to change his projections weekly as he follow polls like a large-mouth bass following a minnow.
Putting all this together on this particular day, it looks like the Democrats should take control of the House, but the Senate--that will be close. However, I have noticed a number of conservative Democrats leading their Republican rivals in some House races. Some of them sound like Republicans even on social issues--last night CNN had a clip on a race in North Carolina where liberals were bemoaning how conservative the Democrat candidate was (Heath Schuler, 11th congressional district). Schuler sounded like he was on the Religious Right. Also more recently Harold Ford, Democrat running for the Senate in Tennessee, is using religous language in his campaing.
There may be a resurgence of moderate Democrats if a number of these candidates win. It is hard to say if they will all carry their convictions into office, but if they do I would presume that it would create problems for Nancy Pelosi and the left-liberal wing of the party.
1 comment:
It's going to be close up this way, too. We've never disagreed more with the R candidate (partitioning Iraq?!?!) or agreed more with the D candidate. It was a hard decision to make, and I think a lot of middle of the roaders are having a tough time deciding.
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