She still has a story that is powerful. |
The bigger problem becomes at what point do Republicans say he's actually going to be a liability. |
The biggest threat here to Democrats is that not only Busby doesn't win, but loses by enough margin so that Republicans can say this culture-of-corruption message isn't going anywhere. |
The Democrats need more than a strong breeze to pick up 15 seats. They need gale-force winds. |
The more she is identified as a candidate, the harder it is to fall back on the outsider appeal. |
The only way for a Democrat to win this year is to make this race all about Marilyn Musgrave. Bush may not be the asset he was two years ago, but he may not be a huge liability, either. |
The political environment couldn't be better for Democrats. If the environment looks as bad in September as it does today, that puts a whole new set of districts into play. |
The president's popularity is the issue. |
Their experience gives them instant credibility and the ability to break out and get their views heard. But it can be a double-edged sword if they get pigeonholed as one-issue candidates. |
There's been a rift in the Democratic Party about Iraq from the beginning. As the American public changes its views, it makes it easier for these guys (to change). |
They're running for Congress, not commander in chief. Obviously, Iraq's an important issue, but at the same time, they need be able to talk about healthcare, the economy, gas prices. |
This helps keep Pombo in the spotlight, which is really what the Democrats and many in the environmental community want to do. |
This is called get out in front of a problem instead of letting it define you. |
Today, obviously, there's a real chance that this story goes beyond just the next couple weeks, and into the 2006 election. |
Voters tend not to fire someone unless they've done something wrong. |