GOP ditches recruits to save incumbents Patrick O'Connor and Josh Kraushaar

[maddezmom]

GOP ditches recruits to save incumbents Patrick O'Connor and Josh Kraushaar
Pioneer Press

Article Last Updated: 10/14/2008 10:57:50 AM CDT


Darren White and Erik Paulsen were prized Republican recruits, House candidates poised to be the new face of the GOP on Capitol Hill.

But as the two head into the homestretch of their campaigns, GOP operatives say they'll probably have to win — or lose — on their own. The money national Republicans earmarked for White in New Mexico and for Paulsen in Minnesota will likely go instead to protect GOP incumbents who once looked like locks for reelection.

GOP Reps. John B. Shadegg of Arizona, Lee Terry of Nebraska, Henry Brown Jr. of South Carolina and Dan Lungren of California are all fighting for their political lives, a reversal of fortunes that has caught even the most astute campaign observers by surprise.

It's an omen and an echo. Just a few weeks before voters went to the polls in 2006, veteran Republicans Gil Gutknecht in Minnesota, Jim Leach in Iowa and Jim Ryun in Kansas suddenly found themselves in tough reelection fights. By the time the party saw what was happening, it was already too late. Unknown challengers booted the lawmakers from office in a landslide election that gave Democrats control of both the House and the Senate.

More: http://www.twincities.com/ci_10717133?source=most_emailed

[Historic NY]

1. Headline should read "GOP going broke.,,,,so they eat their own".

Them rich Repukes must have figured that its worthless to invest in something that won't have a return come 11/4/08.

[zbdent]

2. checks bouncing?