[Clintonfatigued]

I think that too many conservatives are writing off this race. It's one thing to elect someone to the low-profile position of Congressman. But the Senate is a higher-profile, far more influential position. I'll bet that many Vermonters who supported Sanders in the past are having serious qualms about doing so this time.

[DoraC]

I think that too many conservatives are writing off this race. It's one thing to elect someone to the low-profile position of Congressman. But the Senate is a higher-profile, far more influential position. I'll bet that many Vermonters who supported Sanders in the past are having serious qualms about doing so this time.

What Republican could win a statewide senatorial race in Vermont?

[goldstategop]

Vermont was once a New England GOP bastion but its demographics have changed forever. It voted for Gore and then for Kerry. Jim Jeffords was a RINO and that was about the best the GOP could hope for. His successor is going to be even further to the Left. So Sen. Patrick Leahy will have good company in 2007.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[AuH2ORepublican]

"I think that too many conservatives are writing off this race."

---

I agree 100%. This race is eminently winnable for us if we get a good candidate to run (such as Lt. Gov. Dubie) and if the Democrat candidate has halfway decent name ID (such as former Lt. Gov. Racine, who has hinted he will run). The only way in which Sanders can preempt a Democrat candidacy is if he joins the Democrat Party (and wins the Democrat primary), something Sanders has refused to do in the past. If Sanders and Racine both run in the general-election ballot, Dubie can win with 40%, which would be fairly easy for him to get.

[1Old Pro]

I'll bet that many Vermonters who supported Sanders in the past are having serious qualms about doing so this time.

Remember, his "district" goes from a normal Congressional district of perhaps a quater million people to the entire state. Therefore, he is courting people who have never voted for him.