Washington Wrap:Rove is pushing key Republicans to run against vulnerable Democrat Senators.

cbsnews ^ | 1/06/2002 | ) Dotty Lynch and Douglas Kiker

[KQQL]

Here We Go Again: White House political czar Karl Rove, who confounded Democrats in the midterm elections with his handpicked Republicans candidates in key races from Minnesota to Missouri to Georgia, is at it again for 2004.

The Washington Post's Dana Milbank reports that Rove already has started pushing key Republican politicians to run against vulnerable Democrats, particularly in the U.S. Senate, where the GOP advantage could hardly be smaller.

It's early still, but Rove's machinations have begun in Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Washington State.

In Nevada, the White House has started pushing Rep. Jim Gibbons to run against Sen. Harry Reid, who, if he has his way, might be Senate Minority Leader by that point. Rove met with Gibbons on Dec. 10, and the Post reports that a Bush-Gibbons powwow is imminent.

In South Dakota, the White House has started working on a repeat John Thune candidacy in 2004. Thune, who lost a tight race to Sen. Tim Johnson this past fall, would face Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle who is now leaning toward running again.

As we've previously reported, the White House is also putting the screws to North Carolina Rep. Richard Burr to run against incumbent senator and Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards. In neighboring South Carolina, there's also talk of a Roveian conspiracy to kill a Senate campaign in its infancy. In December, Rep. Joe Wilson had indicated he'd like to run for Ernest Hollings seat in 2004. But, after a visit by Rove to the Palmetto State on Dec. 16, he mysteriously decided not to run the very next day. (White House aides denied that Rove pressured Wilson to drop out in favor of Rep. Jim DeMint – but anyone would have to admit that the timing was interesting, to say the least.)

In North Dakota, former Republican Gov. Ed Schafer has gotten the White House treatment on running against Democrat Byron Dorgan. (Despite Schafer's repeated statements shooting down interest in a Senate race, Bush called him "Senator" at a White House Christmas Party.)

And in Washington State, Rep. Jennifer Dunn, a White House favorite, has been steered toward a run against Sen. Patty Murray, who headed the Democrats' 2002 Senate campaign committee. Despite Dunn's reluctance, in the words of the state GOP chairman, "the White House is all over her."

Pretty good advance work for a Mayberry Machiavelli.

[KQQL]

@

[bayareablues]

Go Karl, go. Let us know what we can do to help. How about an 18-month Deployment Plan?

[aristeides]

A pickup of 5 seats would make RAT filibusters a lot harder.

Which Republican seats are vulnerable in '04?

[Jeff Chandler]

"the White House is all over her."

A couple years ago that statement would have had an entirely different meaning.

[Rodney King]

Fitzgerald in Illinois is almost a sure loss unless the Dems are dumb enough to run Carol Mostly-Fraud against him.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Which Republican seats are vulnerable in '04?

Illinois Senator Fitzgerald is the only one vulnerable.

Chuckie Schumer in New York can be beaten by Rudi Giuliani.

[KQQL]

IL...and OK if Nickles doesn't run......
oh yea..may be KY too .....but I doubt it

[KQQL]

lol

[hchutch]

Looks like Rove is at it again.

Good.

[Malcolm]

Maybe Zell Miller will retire in Georgia in 2004. We need to be ready for that one. If Chambliss can knock off an incumbent Dem in this state, then an open seat should be much easier.....

[KQQL]

Depends who runs..SAXBy ran a great Campaign

[SW6906]

Dunn could defeat Murray. Unfortunately, I don't see any other WA state politicos that could. Nethercutt is too "Eastern Washington" to win votes in King County, a requirement for any statewide office.....Dunn is rising fast in the House leadership and could concievably become the first female House Speaker. Which is more valuable: Junior Senator from WA or House Speaker?

[Malcolm]

Yes he did, but GOP statewide wins are becoming more frequent. At this point in time, I don't think the seat is the Dem's to lose anymore. Even money, if that good, for the Dems. But I have no GOP names. LOL, maybe Gingrich wants back in.....

[KQQL]

Dunn...is the only one who could defeat Tennis Show Senator.......

[KQQL]

Dunn...is the only one who could defeat Tennis Shoe Senator.......

[KQQL]

She no longer is in the HOUSE LEadership........

She didn't run to be Conference Chairperson

[Congressman Billybob]

Victory usually begins with planning ahead. This is a good sign that the Republicans intend to expand their majorities in both the House and Senate in 2004, in addition to reelecting President Bush.

My comments on the Democrat candidates for President in 2004 are in my latest column, first link below. This is going to be an even better year than 2002.

Congressman Billybob

Click for latest column, "Three Anti-Endorsements." Not yet up on FR, or UPI.

Click for "to Restore Trust in America." As the politician formerly known as Al Gore said, "Buy my book."

[JohnnyZ]

Yeah, it's wierd that we haven't heard anything more from Georgia, but I guess everyone's waiting until Zell decides whether he's running or retiring. Rep. John Linder, who beat Bob Barr in the incumbent-incumbent primary, is a possibility. Rep. Nathan Deal from northern Georgia would be interesting, with strong education (policy) credentials and as a former Army captain.

[SwinneySwitch]

Viva la Revolucion!