GOP incumbents suddenly in danger

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Miami Herald

posted on Friday, 10.24.08
GOP incumbents suddenly in danger
A surge in Democratic turnout and an increase in Democratic registration has opened the door for upsets in once-safe Republican Congressional and legislative districts throughout Florida.

BY MARY ELLEN KLAS
[e-mail]

Orlando Congressman Tom Feeney, a former speaker of the Florida House and one-time running mate of former Gov. Jeb Bush, has become the poster child for the declining fortunes of the Republican Party in Florida.

In 2002, Feeney carved a Congressional district for himself from a Republican-leaning swath of Orlando. Now, after three terms in Congress and a barrage of bad publicity, the National Republican Congressional Committee this week pulled plans to advertise on Feeney's behalf -- proof of their concern that he could lose his seat to Democrats on Nov. 4.

It's the coattail effect to the max: If Barack Obama draws record numbers of Democrats to the polls, Feeney and other Republicans fear a Democratic surge could hurt their chances in races all the way down the ballot. Also at risk are Orlando Republican Ric Keller, Miami's Diaz-Balart brothers, Lincoln and Mario, six to 10 competitive state House seats and three state Senate districts -- all once considered safe for Republicans.

''I would not want to be a Republican in a close race in South Florida right now,'' said Democratic pollster Tom Eldon, of Schroth Eldon Associates.


Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/southflorida/story/739150.html

[LSparkle]

1. My fantasy Trifecta: Bachmann, Schmidthead and Marsha Blackburn

If we could just boot those three from the House, I'd
be SOOOOOO happy!

[aquart]

4. Add Feeney and you have a deal.

[yellowcanine]

32. Absolutely. Feeney led the "change the rules" campaign in Florida 2000 fiasco.

He was the leader of the Florida legislature who rammed through the selection of George W. Bush electors in place of the ones chosen by the voters in case Gore prevailed. It would have resulted in a Constitutional crisis that would have had to be resolved by the Supreme Court and we all know how that would have likely ended.

[Warpy]

5. Mine is a little different

Bachmann, Musgrave, and Schmitthead.

I will be delighted to see them all go.

[norepubsin08]

6. add

Gordon Smith, Liddy Dole and Ted Stevens from the Senate side and you have a double trifecta deal!!!

[cactusfractal]

7. Add Adam Putnam to that list!

Help retired Navy Master Chief Doug Tudor take down noted Bu$h sphincter-dweller Adam Putnam!

We're working hard to make this happen, with ZERO help from the DCCC and Debbie Whatshername-Shutup (DINO-FL).

http://www.teamtudor.org

[LSparkle]

15. I HATE that guy! He was the weasel presiding in the House when

a voice vote OBVIOUSLY favored the Dems' position, yet Scarecrow
Putnam called it in favor of the Rethugs. Shameless cheating if
ever I saw it!!! And for that stunt -- probably along with many
others -- he got promoted to a leadership position. DITCH HIM!!!

[depakid]

12. Let's not forget Virginia Foxx of NC

Quite possibly as delusional as Bachmann- and equally offensive.

What an embarrassment the woman is to her district.

[LSparkle]

17. I think I've seen her on during late-night sessions with that nut Steve King

If so, you're right -- she needs to go home and do some
gardening.

[KamaAina]

18. The scary thing is, she might not even be the worst rep from NC

Patrick McHenry (R-Murderous Love Triangle and Election Fraud) would have to be given some serious consideration as well.

[AlbertCat]

26. Who's afraid of Virginia Foxx?

Apologies to Edward Albee...

Anyway, look where her district is! And McHenry's too. Notice the 3rd mountainous district in NC has Asheville and the reservation...and has a Dem rep. (Joe "the Dem rep" Shuler)

[ladywnch]

19. and don't forget Marilyn ban gay marriage Musgrave eom

[Ian David]

22. Marilyn Musgrave too! A trifecta is too small. Let's try for a double-hat-trick. n/t

[liberalla]

27. plus HEATHER WILSON !!!

Sorry for yelling. Heather Wilson has to go. She drives me crazy. :mad:

[NM Independent]

30. You'll be pleased to know she isn't running...

so she is already out.

She decided to run in the primary for Pete Domenici's vacating Senate seat, and lost to Steve Pearce. Steve will be losing to Tom Udall.

Yeah!!!

However, the House seat she vacated is in a very contested race between Martin Heinrich (D) and Darren White (R). Hope and pray that White doesn't win. He's an incompetent nutcase, and a bit of a fascist.

[DemFromMem]

31. Sadly, Blackburn will stay put

She's my Congresswoman (ugh!) and the best chance to get rid of her ended after an unexpectedly competitive primary. Unless she pulls a Bachmann and makes a huge gaffe, she'll be easily re-elected. There are just too many Republicans in the district.

[C_U_L8R]

2. Suddenly?

This movement has been coming on like a freight train
since the 2006 election. If they (the politicians or the journalists)
didn't see it coming then they deserve to be in another line of work.

[AlbertCat]

23. You beat me to it...

Suddenly? Only in a GOP-addled mind. a small GOP-addled mind.

[TomInTib]

3. Let me go get a handkerchief.

Screw 'em.

[StClone]

8. Franken beats Coleman, too

[LSparkle]

16. He's leading Carpetbagger Coleman by a few points now ...

Fingers crossed Al can pull this one out and reclaim
Paul Wellstone's seat!

[desktop]

24. It will be a tight squeeze for Franken

That race is close. Hoping Obama's coattails pull him through. I so desperately want to see Al Franken speaking on the Senate floor with conviction and humor.

[ElboRuum]

9. They're worried NOW?

Not too bright, these. A tad slow on the uptake.

[Judi Lynn]

10. It's a true miracle in South Florida, where these Bush-loving right-wing reactionaries have been dug

in there for the duration, so it seemed! They have had total control of Florida politics for decades!

[Mrs. Overall]

11. Dave Reichert in WA State--

Go Darcy Burner!

[Barrett808]

14. Word. nt

[Star]

13. Bye, Bye, Bilbray

Hope I'm saying that on 11/5.

[CreekDog]

33. I wish Dan Lundgren and Tom McClintock would hit the golf course very soon

please oh please oh please. :rofl:

[trashcanistanista]

34. Yes, I can feel it!

Congressman Charlie Brown and Congressman Durston! Let's make it happen!

[sellitman]

20. I would love to see Jim Himes take out Chris (The bush suck up ) Shays.

That would be special !!!

[ret5hd]

21. And damn all the luck, Texas repubs made sure it is legal to redistrict anytime we want!

[Fly by night]

25. I'm just sorry the DCCC didn't support Clint Curtis to run against Feeney again.

Clint is the real deal -- a real patriot.

Unfortunately, the DCCC picked another former Republican to run against Feeney.

But anything to shit-can Feeney is good for democracy.

[kansasblue]

28. wish it was Clint Cutris kicking Feeney's sorry ass.

[Blackhatjack]

29. Truth Be Told The Entire Repub Delegation in Both Houses Needs To Be Dumped...

They bear little resemblance to the fiscally conservative, small government, concerned about privacy and constitutional law, Republicans that dominated the party before the rightwing fundamentalists and corrupt crazies took over.

[machI]

35. Kick