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>> I am sorry to tell you, but Levin will only be out of office when he's dead. Rockowski is a very weak candidate. Levin is an institution. <<

I too think DanfromMichigan is great overestimating Rackowski's chances of winning, but never say never. Levin was ALMOST defeated when he ran for his 2nd term in 1984. ( I think he won by two points) The problem was the Republican running that year was some astronaut celebrity running on Reagan's co-tails. The guy THIS year is some unknown state rep. running in a midterm election year-- and Levin is up for a 5th term now.

If Rackowski even wants to run a close campaign, he's going to need a lot more money, name reconizition, and high profile attacks to get Levin's negatives up. Right now, he doesn't even have a website (Levin has both a Senate AND a re-election funding raising site). Personally, I doubt the GOP has a shot at Levin this year, but if Levin runs for a SIXTH term in 2008 he might as well be defeated by someone like Mike Cox. By that time, Levin with be 75 years old and in the Senate for 30 years. As of now, his face is starting to look like a Halloween mask...image how he'll look in another six years.

The lone advantage I can see here is if Rocky can lure Levin into a long series of debates. He'll score points just from showing up:

Of course, we have the same problem in Illinois, but one of things that might make it easier is the Republican candidate is named Durkin. He's running against Durbin. The stupidity of Illinois Democrats cannot be underestimated. They just elected a total unknown as state Rep. named "Dan Woolsey (R)" because his name sounded like the retiring state Senator "Don Woodlsey (D)", not to mention they almost elected a welfare mom to the Chicago City Council because she changed her name to "Carol Moseley Braun". I'm not even going to get into the fisaco with the two Jesse Jacksons.

And I would like to see a debate between Durbin and Durkin too. Those of us who are smart enough to realize the different between the two should favor Durkin as well (Durkin is ALOT more charismatic, youthful, and attractive)

Finally, there's the fact that Durbin won his first term in 1996 by proclaiming himself a nice, "centrist", downstate Democrat from Springfield would be Paul Simon II (his opponent was "extremist" Al Salvi-- Durbin gave him that label because Salvi wanted to repeal the assalt weapons ban). Instead, Durbin's governed as a rubber stamp for Clinton/Daley and has a voting record more liberal than Ted Kennedy. His popularity in his former house district is EXTREMELY low now. Think Al Gore and Tennesee. The question is, can we get enough downstate vote to counter massive Chicago support for Durbin? It will be very tough.

Michigan is in for a hard road this year for the GOP. Studies show that even amonst the faithful Republicans that they don't know who is running for governor. Rackowski has zero name recognition and no political clout. I have been to several events of Rocky's, and it's obvious that he lacks the maturity for the US Senate. Give him time, maybe ten or so years, but there is no gravitas there right now.

I think that Candace Miller would have had a much better chance, fot senate, but she is playing it safe with going against Bonior in her home district where she is very popular.

We might have a chance to get rid of Dingell this year. We have a great black candidate running for his seat that I am pretty excited about.

by someone like Mike Cox.

It's interesting you say that. I think he's our best shot statewide. Mike's an asst prosecutor and a VERY good grassroots campaigner. He will be going up against probably Gary Peters, who is a fairly strong dem actually, but would be tougher to face in another postition. Prosecutor for top law enforcement job, or insurance guy(I think) turned politician. Not to mention that Mike is from Wayne County.

I think Sec of State will be kept in the GOP Column. We have two strong candidates in Loren Bennett and Terri Lynn Land. Bennett is currently a state senator from a dem leaning seat(Westland area is always tough). Terri Land is the Kent County clerk and is charasmatic and a strong campaigner. My money is on Land to win both the primary and the general.

As for Governor, if Granholm gets 'Fiegered' or 'McCained' in the primary, we have a shot. If not, then we better home that she's hit hard with Metro Airport since the gunowners are not enough to stop her, not to mention those idiots, that say "I'll vote for her since she's hot".

I think we are set with McCotter, Candice Miller(our strongest candidate state wide...look out Stabenow in 06..), and Mike Rogers for our three toughest congressional seats. Rivers should be finally toast, and Bonior can join his friend Yasser.

The state senate should be GREAT from a gunowners perspective. The thought of Alan Cropsey(tough primary), Mike Green(Depends on Jim Barcia), Steve Vear, and Mickey Mortimer running the senate is great. Both Nancy Cassis and Mike Kowall are pro-2a and running for the same senate seat. Much to HCI and PETA's distain, Sue Tabor is coming back for one more in the house. Two good reps are coming from Livingston County now. I think Laura Toy, Bruce Patterson, Jennifer Faunce, Joanne Emmons, and Joanne Voorhees ar all running again in the house.

Justice Robert Young is up in the Supreme Court as well.

I'm optimistic on the bottom half of the ticket. I'm worried about the top though. That just means we got to work harder like Engler did in 1990.