Posted on 04/23/2010 5:13:47 PM PDT by mdittmar
Nine of the Republican candidates for governor and U-S Senate face off in a debate in Reno tonight.
Both races present unusual matchups. A sitting Republican governor facing an uphill battle in his own party. Governor Gibbons has seen his numbers rise following the special session of the legislature, but will it be enough to catch former attorney general and federal judge Brian Sandoval and will the third man in the race play spoiler?
Longtime political observer Dr. Eric Herzik says this race isn't over.
"Gibbons' message is very clear. 'I didn't lie, at least about taxes, and Brian Sandoval is a RINO.'
For Sandoval it really is one where he has to show I'm enough of a conservative that you can feel comfortable voting for me in the Republican primary.
Montandon is going to be in the debate saying I'm the alternative to Jim Gibbons. Any gain that Montandon makes hurts Gibbons."
The gubernatorial debate will be followed by a face off between 6 of the Republicans running for U-S Senate. Inspite of the bartergate stumble this past week, Herzik says it's still her race to lose.
"Lowden seems to have cemented a significant chunk of the Republican primary electorate," he says.
"For the other candidates, this is where the crowded field really hurts. So, like Sharron Angle who I'm surprised is still struggling to hit double digits in support even though she should be the darling of the Tea Party voters.
Danny Tarkanian has actually slipped in the polls a little bit. John Chachas, I think I never thought his candidacy would go too far and it really hasn't. But they are each drawing a certain percent of the vote that Lowden percentage somewhere in the 40's is looking very strong."
So, expect Sandoval and Lowden to act like the frontrunners they are focusing on the general election ahead. Their challengers will be presenting themselves as the better alternative, perhaps with calculated attacks on their fellow Republicans.
And everyone will be trying to avoid that game changing stumble.
I wouldn’t mind watching the debate.
((( Fred! )))
Thank you!!!!!
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