Indiana's (Rat) Lt. Gov. has decided NOT to run for governor in 2004, which leaves a wide-open field -- there has been some speculation that Sen. Bayh might go back to governoring Indiana, in part because of the Senator's Curse (running for prez), but it's all very speculative. Otherwise Bayh will be running for senate again.
Speaking of retirement, can we retire Kay Bailey Hutchinson in 2006? I can think of a few guys named Bonilla and Paige who'd be great in that seat.
>> North Dakota <<
Demographically and geographically speaking, we should, but the 'RAT incumbant in so entrenched it won't be "easy" to win the seat unless he retires.
>> South Dakota <<
The GOP couldn't even knock off Johnson is a state that went 2/3rds for Bush, how we will eliminate Dasshole? Vote fraud is a big problem here.
>> Wisconsin <<
Actually, the GOP thought they could "easily" knock off Feingold the last time around because he didn't accept soft-money, but instead he won handily. Wisconsin elects a few conservatives, but I'm pretty certain that Feingold is a lock for re-election thanks to his perception as an "independant" and a maverick.
>> Georgia <<
That would be nice (and certainly possibly given the newfound muscle of the Georgia GOP) But first you're going to get Georgia conservatives to WAKE UP to the fact that their buddy Zell Miller is 100% pro-abortion, pro-CFR, a Clinton lover and worships FDR. I've tried it and it's no use, they are brainwashed by his conservative-sounding rhetoric.
>> South Carolina <<
Again, this SHOULD be easily in theory but Fritz Hollings is worshipped in this state by the Dixiecrats. He's won handily for 30+ years, including 1996. If the old goat retires, the seat will go likely GOP. However, I believe the South Carolina Democrats will talk a reluntant Holligns into running again for that exact reason.
>> North Carolina <<
True, but incumbant Edwards will probably be running for President. I rate this as the number one GOP pickup due to the now complete lack of conservative statewide officials in a conservative state; plus that Senate seat's reputation for switching back and forth between the party's every six years.
>> California <<
You have to be kidding me. The People's Socialist Republic of Kalifornistan a "likely" pickup? Please. Have you looked at their past few election cycles? The GOP could run Jesus on the ticket and they'd still lose. Half the state is on welfare and doesn't even speak English.
Personally, I would try to talk Sue Myrick into running for Edwards seat in NC, get Julia Nixon-Eisenhower to challenge RINO Arlen Specter in the PA GOP primary, and recruit Thune to run again in SD. (Also, Giuliani could destroy Schumer in NY, but I'd rather we wait until Hillary in '06). The rest of the Dem seats will be uphill battles unless the incumbants aren't running.