Posted on 04/07/2005 7:54:22 PM PDT by Dan from Michigan
Rogers says he will not run for U.S. Senate in 2006
4/7/2005, 7:55 p.m. ET
By KEN THOMAS
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, said Thursday he has ruled out a bid for U.S. Senate in 2006 and a potential matchup against Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow.
Rogers, who first was elected to Congress in 2000, said a Senate race would hurt his ability to focus on his work on the House Intelligence Committee and a House panel dealing with trade issues.
"Right now, I'm in a great position, I think, to make a great impact," Rogers said in an interview.
Rogers had been mentioned as a possible Republican challenger to Stabenow, who narrowly defeated Republican Sen. Spencer Abraham in 2000.
Troy industrial engineer Bart Baron has said he will seek the GOP nomination and other potential Stabenow opponents include Jane Abraham, the wife of the former U.S. senator and Energy secretary, and the Rev. Keith Butler of Southfield.
Rogers, a former FBI special agent who also served in the state Senate, has been active in anti-terrorism measures and recently visited Afghanistan and Pakistan during a congressional recess.
He also was named vice chairman of a House subcommittee that considers trade issues, a crucial subject for the state's automotive industry.
Rogers said diving into a Senate race would require a major fund-raising effort and divert his attention from his work in the House.
"It would be very hard for me to trade all that in. You would basically have to run for two years," Rogers said.
"The day you say, "I'm running," it would be 7 days a week and at least 18 hour days if you want to win," Rogers said.
Dave Lemmon, a Stabenow spokesman, said the senator was "very focused on getting the job done for the people of Michigan."
"There is important work ahead on many critical issues — stopping Canadian trash, preserving Social Security, lowering drug prices by allowing the safe reimportation of prescription drugs and creating good paying jobs," Lemmon said. "She looks forward to continuing to lead the fight on these important issues."
State GOP spokesman Nate Bailey said the party would field a formidable candidate next year.
"With a senator as vulnerable as Debbie Stabenow, there's no doubt that a top-notch candidate will emerge," he said.
Another great Elizabeth Dole recruiting success story.
What about Valde Garcia ?
I think he's going to stay where he is. He has one more state senate term left.
They should have given the job to Norm Coleman, is it to late to boot her out or something?
The one thing that always bugs me by these Republicans that don't rise to the occasion to run for higher offices is that they always use the line, "I can accomplish more by staying where I am." If that was true, we wouldn't be talking them up for higher office. Rogers would accomplish far more by knocking off Stabenow in one shot than he did in 6 years in the House. :-|
"I could run for Senate and risk being out of a job, or stay in the House guaranteed. Nothing wagered, nothing lost!"
No kidding - she has been awful in this role. Time to get that Karl Rove rolodex!
"I could run for Senate and risk being out of a job, or stay in the House guaranteed. Nothing wagered, nothing lost!"
no kidding! we don't vote for these guys to become comfortable in their offices. the senate could change over in 2006, we need to challenge all dem incumbents!
I just hope we get Lynn Swann to run in Pennsylvania.
Not that I doubt you, but what other failures has she had in recruiting?
Is Thompson definitely out in Wisconsin?
Has Gov Hoeven (is that right???) of North Dakota made up his mind?
Are there any candidates yet generally considered to have a good chance of picking up a seat?
Do you think Rogers had a good chance against Stabenow anyway? What about former gov Engler? Wasn't he popular?
Is there a chance of upsetting Bingaman in New Mexico? What about the GOP governor who preceded Richardson. I think his name is Johnson. From what I remember he seemed a pretty popular and conservative governor, with the exception of his pro-legalization of marijuana stance.
Is there a chance to pick up the seat being vacated by Corzine in NJ?
Will former gov Racicot take on sen Baucas of Montana this time?
What about Maryland, or is that a stupid question?
Here is a brief comment by Bob Novak from his column maybe 10 days ago. I don't swallow everything Novak tosses my way, but this pretty much says it all:
* * * * *
Senate recruiting
Republican insiders say their fears have been realized that Sen. Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina would not be sufficiently aggressive as Senate Republican campaign chairman in recruiting candidates for 2006.
Rep. Candice Miller, the strongest Republican to challenge Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow in Michigan, has ruled out making the race. No strong candidate has been found to challenge Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson in overwhelmingly Republican Nebraska. Sen. Hillary Clinton appears uncontested in New York. The Republicans face potentially messy primary races in Florida and Tennessee without a winner in sight.
Dole's Democratic counterpart, Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, has guaranteed a virtually uncontested primary in Pennsylvania for the strongest Democratic candidate, state Treasurer Bob Casey Jr., against Senate Republican Conference Chairman Rick Santorum."
Here is a short list of Democratic seats in 2004 'Red States' and other states where we can be compeditive in.
There is no reason we shouldn't make some gains in these three REd state races, but look at the list - I don't see any significant gains to be had.
West Virginia: Robert Byrd (old and tired, but an Icon in WV)
New Mexico: Jeff Bingaman
Florida: Bill Nelson
Here are a couple of seats where the GOP could and should run compeditive candidates, but so far nothing of note:
Wisconsin: Herb Kohl
Minnesota: Mark Dayton
Lastly, if Ted Kennedy hangs it up, a GOPer could make his Mass Senate seat interesting. Up in the air.
Of this list, as it stands now I expect to maybe gain one seat, maybe. And Santorum will have a fight on his hands (though I expect him to pull it out).
So the 2006 Senate race could lead to a wash or a +1 Senate gain for the GOP. With some better candidates, we could make it +2 or +3 (though realistically not much more than that).
As it stands now, I expect a wash or even -1 for the GOP. No excuse for that!
So far, Thompson has shown absolutley no interest what so ever in running, and it doesn't even look like there is a back up canidate, this seat is staying dem in a probably walk.
Gov Hoeven (god I hope he does run) is being recruited heavily by the White House, and still has not committed yet.
Stabenow is looking more and more like there won't be any credible challenger, the only time I hear about this race is in referance to who isn't running.
There hasn't been a peep about New Mexico.
But look at the most embarrassing scenario's, Nebraska has Senator Nelson, one of the reddest states in the country, and not a single credible challenger yet?
Florida has another Nelson, the only statewide democrat left, and still no credible challenger.
No word on Montana, and Dole can't claim any credit for Minnesota, Coleman and Pawlenty recruited Kennedy to run themselves.
New Jersey is going to have Tom Caines son running for the senate seat, but he made up his own mind and I'm not even sure if he has even talked to the committee yet.
No real effort has been made to at least contest Hillary, so as to keep her in NY so she won't be able to raise money for dems across the country, at least make her spend her war chest in NY so she won't have firepower in the presedential primary.
Maryland, might, just might, be Dole's success, if Steele runs, and the governor there is doing his best to try and get him to run.
Washington all depends on if Rossi runs or not. Dole is no help there.
Frist is leaving the senate in 2006, Dole should either be recruiting or at least clearing the field for somone there.
There are just to many oppurtunities for 2006, and in at least 2 big red states, no credible competition.
I'm very worried about Pennsylvania, and a little concerned about Virginia as Gov Warner seems to be very good at presenting a phony moderate image. Hopefully Sen Allen is safe.
It seems Dole has failed to get the top two choices in Michigan now.
The GOP primary winner in Tennesse should be able to win, but avoiding a messy primary would be nice. Who is running for the Dems there? Rep Ford?
I have doubts about Florida. I mean, I'm sure Nelson can be beat, but I think it would be tough for anyone, with the exceptions of Jeb Bush or Connie Mack coming out of retirement.
I thought there was a Nebraska governor considering running against Nelson there. While picking up a seat there would be great, knocking off Nelson of Nebraska would not be as big a deal since he does occassionally break with his party.
I guess they should have gone with Coleman afterall.
I'd bet money on Rogers winning. Comes from the same Congressional district as Stabenow, won 60% democrat Ingham County in 2002, and almost won 57% Ingham in 04(49%). He also is from a solid GOP base county in Livingston, where Stabenow runs better (41%) than other dems which don't break 40%.
What about former gov Engler? Wasn't he popular?
Engler would have a tough go. We wasn't popular at the end of his third term when the economy was dipping, and has some of the blame for it. I wouldn't count him out, but I can't see coming back. I think he enjoys retirement.
Dumb question. Is Connie Mack related to the former baseball manager?
I guess Thompson wants to make some money in the private sector after serving so long in the public arena. I can't say that I blame him, but its a shame.
Is this Kennedy of Minnesota considered to have a shot against Dayton?
Ted Kennedy is going to be in the Senate forever. He'll die there.
It seems there would be at least one prominent, non-Katherine Harris Florida House member, or a popular state-wide office holder in the state to challenge Nelson.
As I said, Nebraska is disappointing, but winning there would not be nearly as sweet as say, North Dakota, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, or Florida. Of course, who knows if Nelson might suddenly become more liberal once safely back in office for at least six years.
I can't really blame Dole for NY. Giuliani is probably the only person with a chance, and he's really beyond the ability of a Senator to persuade him one way or the other. I guess she could take a hard run at Pataki, though, as even if he can't win then perhaps he could at least be competitive and make Hillary spend money.
Stabenow and Michigan might be the most disappointing as not one but two credible challengers have now opted out. I still wonder about former Gov Engler. Is he too old? Is his health in bad shape?
It seems there are many potential, or I guess I should say likely, Harry Reids and Blanch Lincolns this time -- Dem incumbents vulnerable to a strong challenger but who glide through in the absence of one.
I have no idea. All I know is that Mack was a popular Republican Senator whose seat was safe as long as he wanted it, but was lost to Nelson in 2000 when Mack retired.
Thanks for the post.
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