Posted on 10/10/2004 7:51:55 AM PDT by SJackson
For 35 years, Ronald Cerotzke and his wife, Joanne, have cast their ballots for U.S. Rep. Phil Crane, but this year the Arlington Heights couple are thinking it's time for a change.
Sitting in the Wauconda American Legion, in the center of Crane's hometown and just blocks from his campaign office, the Cerotzkes said they had heard enough about problem stories about Republican candidates this year. They were particularly bothered about Crane's habit of taking lobbyist-sponsored trips and staying away from his own district.
"He doesn't live here. He lives in Virginia," Ronald Cerotzke said.
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Despite Crane's considerable advantages, Republicans remain worried that an upset is within reach, in part because their party has been rocked by scandals in recent years and embarrassing missteps in its struggle to field a candidate in the 2004 U.S. Senate campaign.
"People are nervous, there's no two ways about it," said Gary Skoien, chairman of the Cook County Republican Party. "If something bad happens, if [President Bush's] people sit on their hands or if there's a national meltdown of any kind, then Phil's got to be worried."
A recent Tribune/WGN-TV poll showed Democrat John Kerry with a comfortable lead over Bush, and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Barack Obama running away with his race against Republican Alan Keyes. Such developments could suppress Republican turnout and hurt Crane, Skoien said.
Democrats, meanwhile, are energized by Obama's candidacy and likely to turn out in large numbers, Nelson said.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
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