send to a friend | print | comment

Capable challengers feed prospects for a GOP sweep

News that Republican Mike Fitzpatrick will go for a rematch against Democrat Patrick Murphy in the 8th District, while former U.S. Attorney Tom Marino will enter the race against Democrat Chris Carney in the 10th District, continues the trend of capable GOP challengers lining up against incumbent Democrats who have had an entirely too easy time in previously Republican districts.

The Republicans’ enthusiasm is matched by Democratic angst, although as yet not here in Pennsylvania. Just on Tuesday it was reported that Beau Biden, once considered a shoo-in for the Senate from Delaware, won’t even make the race.

I’ve talked before about how elections are a dynamic process. Good candidates draw support and financing, which makes them stronger, while declining prospects draw weaker candidates—or make good ones pull out. In 2008, this dynamic worked almost entirely to the Democrats’ advantage. Now the shoe, so to speak, is on the other foot, and threatens to turn a midterm correction into a wholesale rout.

January 26, 2010 at 3:02 pm

--Michael Livingston

comments

comments [0] | post a comment