Republicans are suddenly buoyant about fall election chances

US News & World Report ^ | 6/22/06 | Paul Bedard

[Coop]

The biggest surprise of November just might occur in Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional district. :)

[AFPhys]

The president will be helping, but he's not going to be out on the campaign trail until 1-2 months before the election.

[AFPhys]

I haven't had much FR time the last couple months so this may already have been here but I missed it:

I heard on the radio yesterday that Denny Hastert stated that the immigration bill (meaning the Senate's attempt) is DEAD.

If any bill has any chance to be passed, the Senate will basically have to start from the House bill, he seems to be suggesting, so your second paragraph seems to be the operating regime now. I agree with that assessment, too.

The illegal immigration issue has more power than those inside in the beltway, especially the longtimers there, seem to understand. I'm still not sure whether it will have any major impact on the election - Common Tator thinks it won't, though, and he's much smarter than I am about these things.

[phillyfanatic]

The more the RNC publishes the speeches of the pro-cut and runners, the more that Pub candidates publish the facts that Dems seem to be defeatists as well as socialists, the more the Prez actually gets out and supports real Pubs instead of RINO's like Chaffee, and the more that Pubs keep to the House-Sensennbrenner illegal immigration bill, the more Pubs will turn out voters to support them.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"And if the challenger won over Chaffee in Rhode Island primary would he lose in the Fall election?"

---

Rhode Island will be reelecting conservative Republican Governor Carcieri (who won with 55% in 2002) this November, so Mayor Laffey would have a real chance against Attorney General Whitehouse (yes, that's the Democrat candidate's name). And if Chafee runs as an independent instead (as has been speculated of late), it will be a humdinger of a 3-man race with the winner getting less than 40%, which will give Laffey an excellent chance of victory.

[airborne]

The biggest surprise of November just might occur in Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional district. :)

The media will be so surprised that they'll forget to report it. ;^)

[Coop]

Man, wouldn't that be sweet to see ol' Lincoln sent packing and have a real, live Republican in his place?!?

[Coop]

The media will be so surprised that they'll forget to report it. ;^)

Oh, they may want to forget it, but they'll have no choice but to report their "decorated, hawkish Marine combat veteran war hero who honorably served" going down in flames. [grin]

[patriciaruth]

Good luck to you all in Rhode Island! Good news about your governor.

To my mind a three man race would be the worst scenario...splitting those inclined to vote for someone besides a Democrat.