PolySci 101, but some progressives stubbornly refuse to acknowledge that what you can squeeze out of AR is different than CT or NY or CA.
Who is saying that Bill Halter should run on the issue profile of a coastal Democrat and act like Arkansas is pretty much New York? Grassroots Dems want Bill Halter to be Bill Halter. More right vs. wrong than left vs. right.
This charge comes up often in discussions about Senate primaries. What we're talking about here is the difference between Ben Nelson and Scott Kleeb, not Ben Nelson and Sheldon Whitehouse or some other Senate Democrat from a solid blue state. The notion that Halter supporters think Arkansas = Rhode Island is a strawman. Halter is running as a Main Street - friendly Dem in a state that has responded to variations of populist appeals before, in a strong anti - incumbent / anti - establishment / anti - special interest year against Blanche Lincoln, a lost cause in every possible way.
This race is also about a politically toxic, self - described "centrist" (much like Ben Nelson) who takes her cues from K Street and Wall Street, and then claims that anyone who has a problem with that is "an extremist."
On issues vital to the strength of the Middle Class, Lincoln is on the wrong side. Senators like Blanche Lincoln a disaster in the making for the Democratic Party. They make us look weak. Anyone who thinks that like Lincoln and Company can continue to give the Bunning to union workers and the grassroots without serious ramifications for the party as a whole is borderline delusional.
Ohio
Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner recently weighed in on the 5 conservative members of the Supreme Court's Citizen's United decision . She also demonstrated that, unlike GOP candidate and champion of the Bush Economy Rob Portman, she doesn't have a selective memory.
Iowa
Roxanne Conlin is challenging incumbent Republican Chuck Grassley. On Friday she did a live chat at Crooks and Liars.
Grassley's fear of a primary challenge from his right - wing base and/or angering Mitch McConnell has led him to say and do some strange things. On health care reform in particular, he has contradicted himself like crazy. Grassley is an institution in Iowa, so this is an uphill battle. But he's edging his way closer to the vulnerable zone. It would be a mistake to write off this race.
I wonder what Richard Burr thinks about Jim Bunning right about now?
Kentucky
Attorney General Jack Conway's responds to the actions of the man he is running to replace.
Republican Rand Paul could be digging his own political grave on this. While Paul has been making his case to the decidedly more conservative than libertarian KY GOP base, the flip - flops have piled up fast. Paul has never run a statewide campaign before. This could quickly turn into one to watch.
Pennsylvania
The general election looks good for whoever is named something other than Arlen Specter.
UPDATE: Quinnipiac's latest shows that I may have spoken too soon on the general election front.
New York
Soulless DLC hack Harold Ford Jr. will not run in the Democratic primary.
My inner Democrat is very happy.
My inner person who likes funny stuff is devastated.
