LA Times: GOP's Sure Bets In Florida Now Appear In Question

[Hissyspit]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-florida14oct14,1,1085674.story?track=crosspromo&coll=la-headlines-nation&ctrack=1&cset=true

GOP's Sure Bets in Florida Now Appear in Question
By Carol J. Williams, Times Staff Writer
October 14, 2006

- snip -

Just north of here, in the 13th District put into play by U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris when she decided to challenge Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson, Democrat Christine Jennings leads Republican Vern Buchanan by 12 percentage points, according to a recent poll, despite the wealthy Buchanan's $3 million contribution from his own pocket.

Democratic State Sen. Ron Klein has been running neck-and-neck with Republican U.S. Rep. E. Clay Shaw Jr. for his 22nd District post. Brian Smoot, Klein's campaign manager, said he had no fresh polling data, but noted that the buzz on the stump trail along the Gold Coast of Palm Beach and Broward counties was lifting spirits.

"Certainly the man on the street, or the voter on the street, has been talking about the Foley scandal and disapproval of the handling of the war in Iraq," Smoot said, reporting a rise in campaign event turnout. The Republican leadership's failure to confront Foley before the revelations that forced his resignation "has crystallized in people's minds that this is not just a do-nothing Congress but a Congress afflicted with various scandals and more interested in political games than addressing important issues."

Democrat Phyllis Busansky's bid for the 9th District has gained strength in the last two weeks, say campaign workers, who are awaiting new poll results. The former local government leader is facing Gus Bilirakis, son of retiring U.S. Rep. Michael Bilirakis. "Anecdotally, the phones are ringing off the hook," says her campaign manager, Robert Becker.

Gus Bilirakis was quoted as telling reporters in Washington that his campaign wouldn't have a comment on the leadership's handling of the Foley affair "until after we win," a remark that voters found callous and evasive, and that had his handlers scrambling to contain the damage.

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[JCMach1]

1. Excellent news...!

from my home state...

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

2. What sites show the seats that are likely to be a gain, wash, or loss for

the Democrats?

We need a gain of 15, right?

I read an article in the New York Times the other day that said New York state was likely to be a clean sweep for Dems including upstate, which would be a gain of 5 seats if it happened.

Ohio is another area where I understand there are definitely possible gains.

Are there websites that break it down like this?

[ProgressiveEconomist]

4. IMO, Congressional Quarterly does by far the best job keeping track.

See the links in http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2386132&mesg_id=2386483 for the status of Senate races, and http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2382514&mesg_id=2383062 for the House. Don't forget to K&R them if you think they're useful.

[JCMach1]

3. If this holds, Florida comes out +4 for the Dems....!!!

almost 1/3 of what they need to take control.

This is looking more like a 30-50 seat shift...

[The Count]

5. I'm sure Harris will be OK - Jebbie said they COUNT on the GOP votes

or was it that they already counted them?
Anyway, good article to remember AFTER...

[Hissyspit]

6. Saturday kick n/t