Could we draw 2 GOP if MT got another? Presumably so.
GD Oregon has to add a 2nd GOP seat, right?
Both states were supposed to gain last time, IIRC, but ultimately did not.
What should we do in NH, presuming we hold control there, try to make 1 seat more Republican or keep both winnable?
keep both winnable.
otherwise we end up with 2 incumbents .... long term. one of whom is a RINO
It’s been easier for the GOP in MT with just the at-large seat. When there were 2 seats, the Mountain West district was difficult and hadn’t been won since 1972 until its dissolution in 1992. The Eastern Plains was easier and usually GOP-held. If MT regained it, between Dem Butte and college moonbat Missoula, the Dems could contest it.
OR Dems could probably pull a stunt of radiating 3 districts out of Portland-Multnomah and the Dem suburban counties of Washington and Clackamas and still managing to keep a 5-1 majority for themselves (a la IL with its creative “fingers” out of Chicago).
Depending upon if the NH GOP can oust the weak sister Che Porter again in 2018, it might be worth a shot trying to shore it up for the Republican incumbent. I’d hate writing off both, but it might be better to guarantee one secure seat rather than playing this game of hoping we might try for both and losing.