Ney’s ouster no slam dunk for the Dems

[Algorem]

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/011806/news3.html

Democrats are salivating about the prospects of unseating Rep. Bob Ney in November, but they face a surprising number of obstacles in ousting a member who could be indicted in the coming months.

Ney, the embattled Ohio Republican who stepped down Monday as chairman of the House Administration Committee amid corruption charges, remains popular at home and primed for reelection, local Republicans say.

The sixth-term congressman has $600,000 in his campaign coffers, the support of numerous county GOP chairmen and conservative activists, and a positive image among voters, according to a poll being touted by state party leaders.

State GOP Chairman Bob Bennett would not identify the group that conducted the poll — the results have yet to be made public — but maintained that they reflect deep support for the congressman, state Republican spokesman John McClelland said...

[bluestateguy]

1. Yet opponents of term limits tell us that the voters are so smart

They aren't. They really aren't all that bright, and term limits can help to limit the influence of congressmen who accumulate too much power because the voters are too stupid.

[Village Idiot]

4. Smart doesn't cut it anymore. This is OHIO, remember?

I wonder how many votes $600,000 can buy?

[jimshoes]

2. Has anyone done a

comparison of the charges that got James Trafficant convicted and what Ney and the rest of the Abramoff tainted politicians are invollved in? I'd be curious to compare the cases.

[Demeter]

3. They are Just Whistling Past the Graveyard

The GOP is in trouble, and there's 10 months' more trouble to come. The trends are all downhill; even LIHOP will not pull their asses out of the fire; and the more the election fraud must conceal, the more it looks like hiding an elephant behind the drapes. Nobody's seat is safe anymore. and the Democrats and the media must respond appropriately. Go Howard! Go Gore! Go Feingold!

[patdem]

5. This is so much bu**shit...IF it were true they would be waiving

the results in EVERYBODIES faces...would not identify the group that conducted the poll — the results have yet to be made public Of course we have to go by 'idea' that the GOP NEVER LIES! :grr:

[cmd]

6. The problem we face in the 18th district

The 18th is a heavily gerrymandered district that gives Ney a very distinct advantage. If this scandal had not occurred, the party would simply concede this seat spending no money here. The scandal offers us hope in ousting Ney. What we need is for Ney to stay in office, run again and go on trial in early fall. We need to be able to raise money within the district and to make certain that no money comes from George Soros. As much as I love Soros, the Republicans have made his name poison around here.

Ney does have a strong following. He has brought pork back to the district. He is also a mean, vindictive person who will do and say anything to stay in office. It will be a very ugly campaign for whoever goes up against him.

Can we win the 18th? Yes. We must be ready for dirty tricks. We must hammer Ney about ethics. We must have money. I'm supporting Zack Space in the primary. Check out his website, and if you can send a few dollars his way, it would be appreciated. cmd

[dazzlerazzle]

7. ney going down

i believe ney will be indicted with so much evidence that he will be encouraged to retire very soon.