[LS]

Excellent assessment of this show. I agree on Sabato---he didn't really put SD in play, and I think it is; and I would be shocked if the GOP lost either Alaska or OK.

On the other hand, I do not get why the GOP cannot run someone competitive in Illinois and Arkansas.

[KC_Conspirator]

Illinois has always been a democrat leaning state due to the amount of democrats in Chicago. The rest of the state is Republican. The problem there is that the old Republican Governor Ryan is going to jail on corruption charges and its affecting the whole state party.

As for Arkansas, you have to understand that the state has historically been dominated by democrats since the civil war. Besides, Louisiana, no other state has been dominated and corrupted as Arkansas has been. In fact the amazing thing is that Republicans have won in that state in recent years.

[Pubbie]

Thune is going to run against Daschle:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1041750/posts

"I do not get why the GOP cannot run someone competitive in Illinois and Arkansas."

Jack Ryan is the best possible candidate the GOP can send up in Illinois. Ryan will also likely run against a weak underfunded Democrat in Maria Pappas or Obama. The strongest Rat, Chris Hynes, is behind in the polls fortunately.

I agree that Arkansas has been a disapointment. A definite safe Democrat seat.

[OldPossum]

I do not get why the GOP cannot run someone competitive in Illinois...

I don't know for sure but it seems to me that for the near future, Illinois is a lost cause for the GOP. The Rats rule there. (If by some miracle you could eliminate the Chicago vote, the Republicans might have a chance but right now, no way.)