Kerrey's Decision Not To Run Is Huge Blow To National Dems
The decision by former Senator Bob Kerrey (D-NE) not to run again represents a huge blow to National Democratic strategists, and leaves the Republicans heavily favored to hold on to the open seat.
The current frontrunner is former Governor Mike Johanns, who resigned from President Bush's cabinet as secretary of agriculture to make the race. Johanns faces a primary from state Attorney General Jon Bruning and businessman Pat Flynn, but it remains his race to lose. If the Democrats were to find a strong candidate, their hopes would have to rest on Bruning defeating Johanns.
The Democratic bench in Nebraska is very thin. Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey was courted by the Dems, but has shown a reluctance to get in the race. The next possible candidate would be rancher Scott Kleeb, who ran unsuccessfully last year in the Third Congressional District.
One other thing worth noting: An inability to win this seat would essentially end any hopes by Democrats of reaching 60 Senate seats this cycle.
This is not as big a loss as it may seem to be. Even without reaching a filibuster proof 60 the Dems will still surely increase their majority in '08. Kerry is a very hawkish blue dog type Dem and one thing we don't need is another Joe Lieberman in the Senate, diluting our message and giving cover to Republicans.
I, for one, am actually happy about this.
October 24, 2007 11:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
You underestimate Republicans' ability to screw up. Add that to the surge in disgust at GOP crimes, lies and incompetence and I doubt your assertion that 60 is out of reach. Besides, Kerrey would essentially be Republican-lite: he's an Iraq hawk, squishy on Social Security, and a flat-taxer, so it's probably best not to have him in the caucus.
October 24, 2007 11:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
count me as another one not at all unhappy with this news. kerrey is hardly a progressive democrat; and the party already has more than enough who are far too willing to carry the republican message.
October 24, 2007 11:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
In the context of other news for Senate Dems this week (for example the awful Collins-Allen poll) this definitely is a blow to the chance to reach anything near 60.
October 24, 2007 12:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
NO LOSS HERE. Kerrey is awful... we need better Democrats than this (yes EVEN in "Red" states). The "National Party" has got it's priorities way OFF. Can't stand their conventional wisdom.
One other thing worth noting: An inability to win this seat would essentially end any hopes by Democrats of reaching 60 Senate seats this cycle.
You don't know that.
Might be true with a national party who's strategy is to pump up guys like Kerrey... Doesn't HAVE to be that way.
October 24, 2007 12:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
NO LOSS HERE. Kerrey is awful... we need better Democrats than this (yes EVEN in "Red" states). The "National Party" has got it's priorities way OFF. Can't stand their conventional wisdom.
One other thing worth noting: An inability to win this seat would essentially end any hopes by Democrats of reaching 60 Senate seats this cycle.
You don't know that.
Might be true with a national party who's strategy is to pump up guys like Kerrey... Doesn't HAVE to be that way.
October 24, 2007 12:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Kleefeld, you're a douchebag. We don't need any more Bob Kerrey fake Dems.
October 24, 2007 12:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yawn. I guess I'd be upset if I thought electing Kerrey would actually improve the way the Senate runs, but frankly he'd probably be the one to filibuster against the Dems if the opportunity arose anyway. So who cares?
October 24, 2007 2:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
No it's not. Oh, you mean BOB Kerrey. Well. No it's not.
October 24, 2007 8:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, this is some good news for the Republicans. I'm happy Kerrey isn't running. I'm getting so sick of the classless, crass liberal gloating over every bump in the road the GOP experiences. They slay whatever Republicans they can in a rage. It's just not right to behave like that.
I sure hope the GOP holds onto this seat.
October 25, 2007 2:17 AM | Reply | Permalink