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Two articles today at rollcall.com which may have resonance for the 2004 races: KY Rep. Ken Lucas (D) is deciding whether to switch to the GOP (he is the frontrunning D to challenge Jim Bunning) and senate Republicans are looking to reduce seats on senate committees, including appropriations, which could adversely affect several D's up for reelection.

Lucas Link

Here's my problem with Republican strategy in the house: we always seem to go after conservatives and moderates who will vote with us most of the time anyway. In 1994, we won 52 House seats and 8 Senate seats, but our victories came over mostly moderates, which allowed the liberal wing of the Democratic party to re-energize themselves for future elections. We have to go after the heart of the beast wherever possible. My favorite target: Loreta Sanchez of CA's 39th District, Bob Dornan's old stomping grounds. Sanchez refused to cast a vote wishing President Reagan a happy 90th birthday. Let's go after some vulnerable liberals in '04.

In the meantime, we should be discussing potential running mates for Bush in '04. I love Cheney, but his health is questionable and he doesn't bring a state or a demographic group. Maybe we could recast him as Secretary of Defense. Possible choices that I like are Rep. Chris Cox (CA) and Gov. Mark Schweiker (PA).