I've wondered about your tagline.
It's a fascinating race, and even though it's not statewide, you would think at least one polling firm would have done something. Not being a big-city district, maybe it doesn't catch local TV attention.
I wonder what candidates' polls are showing. Murtha doesn't seem to be scared, but Irey is running an aggressive and amazing campaign for a challenger and she would have easily won, even in this district, if the seat were open.
Wonder if the reason Murtha isn't running scared is after 32 years he just arrogantly assumes the job is his by right? That it's "his district" no matter what he does?
I honestly don't think Murtha's paying any attention to his House race. He's too busy basking in the media attention. But that will likely change after the second quarter fundraising reports come out!
I would guess Murtha would still have a significant lead against Irey head to head, but I'd also bet his approval ratings have taken a hit. And they're going to continue to drop as Ms. Irey 1) becomes better known, and 2) keeps calling him out on his abhorrent behavior, comments and votes.
This is going to be a race. Remember, John Kerry only managed 51% of this district's vote. And Murtha can't realistically hope for such a Dem turnout this time around. Plus PA has already shown an anti-incumbent mood from earlier in the year.
Irey versus Murtha doesn't fit the media's agenda. Every interviewer lets Murtha spout unchallenged. But now I wonder if people (like O'Reilly and Hannity at Fox who repeatedly said Murtha opposed the publication of this story) will now feel obliged to investigate?
Actually it is reletively close to Pittsburgh and one would think that the Pittsbugh Tribune-Review and Post-Gazette would have commissioned a poll, but they maybe waiting closer to Labor day to put out a poll.