It kind of reminds me of this year’s NH Senate race. Six years ago, John Sununu won the seat from the incumbant Senator by saying he “couldn’t win” against the Democrat and needed to step aside for a more electable Republican. This year, when the same fate fell on Sununu and he found himself trailing the RAT for monthes on end, he hypocritically INSISTED on staying on the race. NH had moved left and the is was virtually impossible for a Republican tied at the hip to Bush winning re-election in the only state that flipped from Bush to Kerry.
What other Republican in NH could’ve held Sununu’s seat ?
Difference is in 2002, Smith couldn’t beat Shaheen, and Sununu could. In 2008, Sununu couldn’t beat Shaheen, but neither would have any other Republican in the entire state, in fact, Sununu was the best chance at winning that seat.