GOP Considers Unseating Feingold a Long Shot

[steve2470]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55413-2004Oct22.html

In a year of tossup races that could determine control of the Senate, the Republican effort to unseat Sen. Russell Feingold (D-Wis.) ranks as a very long shot.

Polls show Feingold leading his GOP rival, soldier-turned-businessman Tim Michels, by more than 20 percent in a couple of recent surveys. And the National Republican Senatorial Committee canceled $1.2 million in television advertising that it had reserved for Michels's campaign.

But Republicans, remembering Feingold's close races in 1992 and 1998 and sensing vulnerability in some of his recent votes, including opposition to the USA Patriot Act, the war in Iraq and some tax cuts, insist that lightning might strike, especially if President Bush turns out a strong GOP vote in the state.

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[tedoll78]

1. This is one reason why I think Kerry will carry WI.

Not only recent polls showing Kerry up narrowly, but I also think that Feingold folks won't be splitting their tickets enough to hand the state to Bush.

[Lefta Dissenter]

2. anyone who saw the debate tonight

would have been creeped out by the smirking cousin of bush. OK, so he's not a cousin by blood, but the stupid smirk on his face was weirdly reminiscent of Debate #3. :crazy:

Feingold looked Presidential... err...I mean Senatorial, and certainly had command of the facts, as usual.

[Awsi Dooger]

3. The GOP has pathetic first-time senate candidates this year

That's the primary reason we have a chance to retake the senate. Michels didn't impress me at all in the one debate I saw.

Rove failed to convince some of the potential candidates like Gibbons in Nevada to run, and got burned in states like Illinois and Colorado when the projected GOP nominee was forced out or retired. Now we can only hope for continued implosions from Coors, Bunning, Coburn, DeMint and others.

[RevCheesehead]

4. An Ice-Cube in Hell has a better shot at a senate seat than Michels.

The WI public radio piece on the race was amazing: michels running a very disappointing and somewhat silly campaign that is seeming to self-destruct. Quoted the "playground" ad.

Russ is gonna win BIG in WI - he has earned his stature.
And the undecideds will break for Kerry.

I DO wish Russ would do campaign appearances with Kerry - maybe next week?

[shraby]

6. What about Jef Hall?

He's running against Petri. I'd vote for a cow before I'd vote for Petri, but what kind of candidate is Hall? Anyone know?

[Lefta Dissenter]

7. Thursday

I'll bet my first-born child on that... Well, maybe the second-born. Depends on which one I'm mad at, but you can take those cookies to the bank! :D :hi: sort of

[RevCheesehead]

9. Is the Capitol appearance on Thurs? Thought it was Tuesday

[Lefta Dissenter]

10. Daily Cardinal

says it's Thursday... That's Teacher Convention weekend, so the crowd will knock your socks off! (were you at the Gore rally four years ago?)

Still working on details, though, so it's not set in stone.

[RevCheesehead]

11. No - I was in North Carolina 4 years ago.

Moved back home in 2001.

Any advice on parking? Are they running buses or shuttles?

[Lefta Dissenter]

12. I know NOTHING at this point

(usual state of affairs for me) but I'll post in the WI forum when I get any details. A friend of mine is scoping out things in the campaign office today, to see if he can dig up anything. Unfortunately, our campaign staff isn't exactly stellar at keeping the public informed, so it's really up to US to make this HUGE!

[sandnsea]

5. Feingold, not Kerry?

I just do not understand that at all. Like the local who's voting DeFazio and the rest Republican. Leaves me totally baffled as to what people are really basing their decisions on.

[Lefta Dissenter]

8. they know Feingold is

a fiscal conservative... but WHY THE HELL WOULD THEY VOTE FOR THE DEFICIT KING??? I have no clue... :shrug: and hopefully most of them will wise up before November 2nd.