Boswell, Leach, and Nussle

[Lenape85]

It looks like Nussle might be running for governor, so it could be a pickup, since he got only 55%

Leonard Boswell also got only that, so does this mean we might need protection.

Also, Leach got 59%, although a substantial victory, is he still vulnerable.

[DU9598]

1. My takes

Nussle's district is a likely pickup. There are a few good D's who have run in the past who may run again with some name recognition, i.e., Bill Gluba, a pro-life D. That is important in the heavily Catholic NE Iowa.

We will never beat Leach - unless the Governor's wife Christie Vilsack - makes a run against him. I would say that once Leach retires (within the next term or two) this has a 90% chance of Democratic pickup.

Boswell is safe for another term or two. But, as much as I respect the Congressman and his work (and his staff's work) he needs to step aside for a new person, i.e., State Sen. Matt McCoy or Former DSM Mayor Preston Daniels.

[Hardrada]

2. Ideas for 2006

I think you are right about a D retake of some Iowa Congressional Districts. The GOP has been unbeatable over here for a long time, Tauke, then Nussle. Since 1980 so we are due for a change. I thought Iowa City would help us beat Leach after the redistricting but the voters there have not turned for D candidates as we had thought. But we have to run somebody against him nonetheless who might have a chance. The short term is good news for Boswell. In another post here I analyzed some of the reasons why we have not been able to get rid of Nussle. And how we can adopt some useful tactics in the GOP primary in 2006.