Kuchana
08-27-2004, 04:00 PM
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/usatoday/20040827/pl_usatoday/democratsknowbattleforsenateisongopturf&e=4
Ay! Give me a break. :rolleyes:
Democrats know battle for Senate is on GOP turf
Fri Aug 27, 6:39 AM ET
By Andrea Stone, USA TODAY
The National Rifle Association has endorsed him. He voted for a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. His campaign literature touts his "Christian Faith."
Brad Carson's campaign brochure says he's "not your typical Democrat." But the Oklahoma congressman may be just the kind of Democrat his party needs in the South and Midwest if it is to seize control of the U.S. Senate in November's elections.
Carson is one of eight Democrats running in highly competitive Senate campaigns this fall. All eight races are in "red" states carried by George W. Bush in 2000. Most include Democrats who are pushing their moderate or conservative credentials - by opposing gay marriage, for example, or supporting drilling for oil in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (news - web sites).
The outcome of these races will determine how the current 51-48 Republican majority in the Senate changes. But Democrats face an uphill battle to win seats in states where Republicans hold a natural advantage.
The GOP is "in a position to strengthen the majority," says Dan Allen of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. "The terrain we're running in is quite good for Republicans."
That's why Democrats such as Carson are sounding more like Republicans. Carson and his Republican opponent, Tom Coburn, a conservative obstetrician and former congressman, both claim to be more in step with conservative Oklahoma voters. One of them will replace retiring 24-year GOP incumbent Don Nickles.
Both candidates were elected from the same eastern Oklahoma congressional district. Coburn, 56, came as part of the Republican revolution of 1994. A fiscal conservative with populist appeal, he voted against virtually every spending bill before keeping a term-limits pledge to leave the House of Representatives after six years.
Carson, 37, succeeded Coburn in 2000. A former Rhodes scholar who is part Cherokee Indian, he would become the Senate's youngest member. He drives a pickup with 130,000 miles on it, wears cowboy boots with holes and says "radical individualism" is "killing" his party. Democrats, Carson says, must stop fighting the cultural wars of the 1960s.
Pivotal races
Most political analysts believe the Senate could change hands this fall. They are more skeptical about the House, where Democrats must pick up 12 seats to erase the current 229-205 Republican majority. In the Senate, where one-third of the seats are in play every two years, Democrats start with 48 seats and the support of independent Sen. Jim Jeffords of Vermont. But Democrats must defend 19 of the 34 seats up for election this year, Republicans only 15.
In 24 races, the seat is likely to stay in the hands of the party that currently holds it. The parties will probably swap seats in Illinois and Georgia. In Illinois, polls show state Sen. Barack Obama, a rising star who gave the keynote speech at the Democratic convention in Boston, holds a 40-point lead over late-entering Maryland resident Alan Keyes (news - web sites) in a race to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Peter Fitzgerald (news, bio, voting record). In Georgia, polls heavily favor Republican Rep. Johnny Isakson (news, bio, voting record) over Democratic Rep. Denise Majette (news, bio, voting record) to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Zell Miller (news, bio, voting record). Miller is giving the keynote speech at the Republican convention next week.
That leaves seven races to watch, in addition to Oklahoma:
•Alaska. Republican Lisa Murkowski was a state legislator when her father, Frank, appointed her in 2002 to fill out his Senate term after he was elected governor. That angered some voters. Popular former governor Tony Knowles touts the need for Alaska to have a Democratic voice in the Senate, but he has his work cut out for him: Bush beat Al Gore (news - web sites) by 31 points in the state in 2000.
•Colorado. The seat is open because Republican Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (news, bio, voting record) is retiring. Democrats rallied early around state Attorney General Ken Salazar, a Hispanic moderate who has won statewide office twice. He faces well-known brewery owner Peter Coors, who beat a more conservative opponent in the GOP primary.
•Florida. Democrat Bob Graham's retirement set off brawls in both parties. Rep. Peter Deutsch (news, bio, voting record), former state education commissioner Betty Castor and Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas are battling for the Democratic nomination. Republicans have eight candidates, most notably former Housing and Urban Development secretary Mel Martinez and former congressman Bill McCollum. Voters in areas hardest hit by Hurricane Charley may have to vote in tents in Tuesday's primary.
•Louisiana. Thanks to the state's unique election rules and calendar, voters won't know who will replace retiring Democratic Sen. John Breaux (news, bio, voting record) until a runoff in December. Democratic Rep. Chris John (news, bio, voting record) and Republican Rep. David Vitter (news, bio, voting record) are expected to be the top two vote-getters to square off then.
•North Carolina. Erskine Bowles, a former chief of staff to President Clinton (news - web sites) who lost a Senate bid in 2002, is leading in polls against Republican Rep. Richard Burr (news, bio, voting record). The winner will replace Sen. John Edwards (news - web sites), John Kerry (news - web sites)'s running mate in the presidential race. Bowles is better known and more skilled at campaigning this time. He's focusing on jobs and the economy rather than divisive social issues. He also may get a boost from Edwards' position on the national ticket, even as Kerry's prospects in the state remain dim.
•South Carolina. Democrat Inez Tenenbaum, the state education superintendent, is running a moderate to conservative campaign that reminds voters she supports the death penalty and the controversial USA Patriot Act, which was designed to thwart terrorists. The Democrat faces a tough opponent in GOP Rep. Jim DeMint (news, bio, voting record), an economic conservative backed by the Washington-based anti-tax group Club for Growth. The winner will succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Fritz Hollings.
•South Dakota. Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle is seeking a fourth term by playing up local issues such as agriculture and playing down his national role. He faces his toughest challenger yet in former congressman John Thune, who narrowly lost a 2002 Senate race. Daschle's Republican counterpart, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, broke historical precedent by campaigning against him in his home state, but Daschle has raised twice as much money as Thune - $13.5 million to $6.1 million.
Running away from Kerry
Most Democrats in "red" states are running independently from Kerry, if not unabashedly away from him.
In Oklahoma, the state Democratic Party hawks "KerryOkies" T-shirts on its Web site. But the Massachusetts senator isn't expected to visit here. The state hasn't voted for a Democrat for president since Texas neighbor Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Bush beat Gore here 60% to 38% in 2000.
"Kerry will get shellacked here," says Carson, who skipped last month's Democratic convention to attend a cattlemen's convention in Oklahoma City and did not appear with vice presidential candidate John Edwards there Wednesday night. Bowles and Knowles also were no-shows at the convention.
Kerry gave $3 million from his primary campaign to help elect Democrats to the Senate. Still, Carson's Web site notes that he has "been applauded by members of both parties, including President Bush (news - web sites), for his ability to reach across the aisle."
Carson has ignored the national ticket. Instead of appearing with Kerry or Edwards, "I'd rather be out at a hog fry talking to people who can vote for me," he says.
That includes people such as Cecil Sullivan, who recently heard Carson speak at a Chamber of Commerce (news - web sites) lunch in rural Seminole. "I want to see how he votes with the New England Democrats," says Sullivan, 80, a retired insurance agent. "They're too liberal. They're not my kind of Democrat, not an Oklahoma Democrat."
When asked at a breakfast gathering earlier about Kerry's vow to repeal Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy, Carson says it's not "realistic" and "not good politics for Democrats to talk about things that'll never happen."
Republicans say they plan to extend their winning streak in Oklahoma, where Gov. Brad Henry is the only Democrat elected to statewide office in the last seven elections. Although there are 300,000 more Democrats registered here than Republicans, many routinely cross party lines in federal elections.
The race promises to be the most expensive in state history. Carson has an edge in cash with about $2 million to Coburn's $400,000. But the Club for Growth, which put $500,000 into the GOP primary to help Coburn defeat Oklahoma City Mayor Kirk Humphreys, promises more help this fall, despite Coburn's previous attacks on such outside spending.
'Okie from Muskogee'
This town has been famous since 1969, when country singer Merle Haggard released his counterculture-bashing hit song Okie from Muskogee. These days, it's known as Tom Coburn's hometown. The doctor, a two-time cancer survivor, was known around here for delivering babies before he went to Washington. He still practiced one day a week after he got there. Coburn "has a long-running record of honesty and integrity," says Republican Janet Haskin, 55. She once voted for Carson but says she "can be persuaded" to switch to Coburn because of his strong opposition to abortion.
Coburn was a maverick in the House, where he often bucked GOP leaders and was known for his socially conservative views. But in a race in which the candidates share similar views on social issues, Coburn has made slashing federal spending and restructuring Social Security (news - web sites) to allow private accounts his top priorities.
"I'm a real conservative, and Brad Carson isn't," Coburn says. He calls Carson a "career politician" and tries to link him to East Coast liberals such as Sens. Edward Kennedy and Hillary Rodham Clinton (news - web sites).
Carson countered last week with TV ads touting his opposition to gay marriage, gun control and the procedure known as "partial-birth" abortion. On the stump, he focuses on bringing federal dollars back home. But he knows his task won't be easy. "I'm not underestimating it," Carson says. "It's a difficult campaign.
Ay! Give me a break. :rolleyes:
Democrats know battle for Senate is on GOP turf
Fri Aug 27, 6:39 AM ET
By Andrea Stone, USA TODAY
The National Rifle Association has endorsed him. He voted for a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. His campaign literature touts his "Christian Faith."
Brad Carson's campaign brochure says he's "not your typical Democrat." But the Oklahoma congressman may be just the kind of Democrat his party needs in the South and Midwest if it is to seize control of the U.S. Senate in November's elections.
Carson is one of eight Democrats running in highly competitive Senate campaigns this fall. All eight races are in "red" states carried by George W. Bush in 2000. Most include Democrats who are pushing their moderate or conservative credentials - by opposing gay marriage, for example, or supporting drilling for oil in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (news - web sites).
The outcome of these races will determine how the current 51-48 Republican majority in the Senate changes. But Democrats face an uphill battle to win seats in states where Republicans hold a natural advantage.
The GOP is "in a position to strengthen the majority," says Dan Allen of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. "The terrain we're running in is quite good for Republicans."
That's why Democrats such as Carson are sounding more like Republicans. Carson and his Republican opponent, Tom Coburn, a conservative obstetrician and former congressman, both claim to be more in step with conservative Oklahoma voters. One of them will replace retiring 24-year GOP incumbent Don Nickles.
Both candidates were elected from the same eastern Oklahoma congressional district. Coburn, 56, came as part of the Republican revolution of 1994. A fiscal conservative with populist appeal, he voted against virtually every spending bill before keeping a term-limits pledge to leave the House of Representatives after six years.
Carson, 37, succeeded Coburn in 2000. A former Rhodes scholar who is part Cherokee Indian, he would become the Senate's youngest member. He drives a pickup with 130,000 miles on it, wears cowboy boots with holes and says "radical individualism" is "killing" his party. Democrats, Carson says, must stop fighting the cultural wars of the 1960s.
Pivotal races
Most political analysts believe the Senate could change hands this fall. They are more skeptical about the House, where Democrats must pick up 12 seats to erase the current 229-205 Republican majority. In the Senate, where one-third of the seats are in play every two years, Democrats start with 48 seats and the support of independent Sen. Jim Jeffords of Vermont. But Democrats must defend 19 of the 34 seats up for election this year, Republicans only 15.
In 24 races, the seat is likely to stay in the hands of the party that currently holds it. The parties will probably swap seats in Illinois and Georgia. In Illinois, polls show state Sen. Barack Obama, a rising star who gave the keynote speech at the Democratic convention in Boston, holds a 40-point lead over late-entering Maryland resident Alan Keyes (news - web sites) in a race to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Peter Fitzgerald (news, bio, voting record). In Georgia, polls heavily favor Republican Rep. Johnny Isakson (news, bio, voting record) over Democratic Rep. Denise Majette (news, bio, voting record) to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Zell Miller (news, bio, voting record). Miller is giving the keynote speech at the Republican convention next week.
That leaves seven races to watch, in addition to Oklahoma:
•Alaska. Republican Lisa Murkowski was a state legislator when her father, Frank, appointed her in 2002 to fill out his Senate term after he was elected governor. That angered some voters. Popular former governor Tony Knowles touts the need for Alaska to have a Democratic voice in the Senate, but he has his work cut out for him: Bush beat Al Gore (news - web sites) by 31 points in the state in 2000.
•Colorado. The seat is open because Republican Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (news, bio, voting record) is retiring. Democrats rallied early around state Attorney General Ken Salazar, a Hispanic moderate who has won statewide office twice. He faces well-known brewery owner Peter Coors, who beat a more conservative opponent in the GOP primary.
•Florida. Democrat Bob Graham's retirement set off brawls in both parties. Rep. Peter Deutsch (news, bio, voting record), former state education commissioner Betty Castor and Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas are battling for the Democratic nomination. Republicans have eight candidates, most notably former Housing and Urban Development secretary Mel Martinez and former congressman Bill McCollum. Voters in areas hardest hit by Hurricane Charley may have to vote in tents in Tuesday's primary.
•Louisiana. Thanks to the state's unique election rules and calendar, voters won't know who will replace retiring Democratic Sen. John Breaux (news, bio, voting record) until a runoff in December. Democratic Rep. Chris John (news, bio, voting record) and Republican Rep. David Vitter (news, bio, voting record) are expected to be the top two vote-getters to square off then.
•North Carolina. Erskine Bowles, a former chief of staff to President Clinton (news - web sites) who lost a Senate bid in 2002, is leading in polls against Republican Rep. Richard Burr (news, bio, voting record). The winner will replace Sen. John Edwards (news - web sites), John Kerry (news - web sites)'s running mate in the presidential race. Bowles is better known and more skilled at campaigning this time. He's focusing on jobs and the economy rather than divisive social issues. He also may get a boost from Edwards' position on the national ticket, even as Kerry's prospects in the state remain dim.
•South Carolina. Democrat Inez Tenenbaum, the state education superintendent, is running a moderate to conservative campaign that reminds voters she supports the death penalty and the controversial USA Patriot Act, which was designed to thwart terrorists. The Democrat faces a tough opponent in GOP Rep. Jim DeMint (news, bio, voting record), an economic conservative backed by the Washington-based anti-tax group Club for Growth. The winner will succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Fritz Hollings.
•South Dakota. Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle is seeking a fourth term by playing up local issues such as agriculture and playing down his national role. He faces his toughest challenger yet in former congressman John Thune, who narrowly lost a 2002 Senate race. Daschle's Republican counterpart, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, broke historical precedent by campaigning against him in his home state, but Daschle has raised twice as much money as Thune - $13.5 million to $6.1 million.
Running away from Kerry
Most Democrats in "red" states are running independently from Kerry, if not unabashedly away from him.
In Oklahoma, the state Democratic Party hawks "KerryOkies" T-shirts on its Web site. But the Massachusetts senator isn't expected to visit here. The state hasn't voted for a Democrat for president since Texas neighbor Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Bush beat Gore here 60% to 38% in 2000.
"Kerry will get shellacked here," says Carson, who skipped last month's Democratic convention to attend a cattlemen's convention in Oklahoma City and did not appear with vice presidential candidate John Edwards there Wednesday night. Bowles and Knowles also were no-shows at the convention.
Kerry gave $3 million from his primary campaign to help elect Democrats to the Senate. Still, Carson's Web site notes that he has "been applauded by members of both parties, including President Bush (news - web sites), for his ability to reach across the aisle."
Carson has ignored the national ticket. Instead of appearing with Kerry or Edwards, "I'd rather be out at a hog fry talking to people who can vote for me," he says.
That includes people such as Cecil Sullivan, who recently heard Carson speak at a Chamber of Commerce (news - web sites) lunch in rural Seminole. "I want to see how he votes with the New England Democrats," says Sullivan, 80, a retired insurance agent. "They're too liberal. They're not my kind of Democrat, not an Oklahoma Democrat."
When asked at a breakfast gathering earlier about Kerry's vow to repeal Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy, Carson says it's not "realistic" and "not good politics for Democrats to talk about things that'll never happen."
Republicans say they plan to extend their winning streak in Oklahoma, where Gov. Brad Henry is the only Democrat elected to statewide office in the last seven elections. Although there are 300,000 more Democrats registered here than Republicans, many routinely cross party lines in federal elections.
The race promises to be the most expensive in state history. Carson has an edge in cash with about $2 million to Coburn's $400,000. But the Club for Growth, which put $500,000 into the GOP primary to help Coburn defeat Oklahoma City Mayor Kirk Humphreys, promises more help this fall, despite Coburn's previous attacks on such outside spending.
'Okie from Muskogee'
This town has been famous since 1969, when country singer Merle Haggard released his counterculture-bashing hit song Okie from Muskogee. These days, it's known as Tom Coburn's hometown. The doctor, a two-time cancer survivor, was known around here for delivering babies before he went to Washington. He still practiced one day a week after he got there. Coburn "has a long-running record of honesty and integrity," says Republican Janet Haskin, 55. She once voted for Carson but says she "can be persuaded" to switch to Coburn because of his strong opposition to abortion.
Coburn was a maverick in the House, where he often bucked GOP leaders and was known for his socially conservative views. But in a race in which the candidates share similar views on social issues, Coburn has made slashing federal spending and restructuring Social Security (news - web sites) to allow private accounts his top priorities.
"I'm a real conservative, and Brad Carson isn't," Coburn says. He calls Carson a "career politician" and tries to link him to East Coast liberals such as Sens. Edward Kennedy and Hillary Rodham Clinton (news - web sites).
Carson countered last week with TV ads touting his opposition to gay marriage, gun control and the procedure known as "partial-birth" abortion. On the stump, he focuses on bringing federal dollars back home. But he knows his task won't be easy. "I'm not underestimating it," Carson says. "It's a difficult campaign.