I got this message from Liddy Dole and her National Republican Senate Committee
Dear Friend,
In the News...
55 and Counting...
Florida...Nelson's Rendezvous With The Liberal Left
Maryland...Double Header
Michigan...New York State of Mind
Missouri...Desperately Seeking Candidate
New York...Taking on HRC in the NYC
Pennsylvania...Duck Duck Casey
Vermont...To Weekend At Bernie's Or Not To Weekend At Bernie's?
Virginia...Adding to His Cash Stash
West Virginia...The Tour Continues
This week I wanted to share my thoughts with you on the overall landscape of the 2006 Senate races. There are many developments that occur on a weekly and often daily basis to change the political spectrum, but this will serve as a snapshot of how Republicans are looking across the country. This is your first official installment of the "Dole Report."
First of all, we have the benefit of three seats currently held by Democrats or liberal Independents who have announced their retirement. They are Minnesota, Maryland and Vermont.
In Minnesota, Congressman Kennedy is off and running as the frontrunner in that race. The Democratic frontrunner is Patty Wetterling, who Congressman Kennedy already defeated in a head to head House race match-up last cycle. In Maryland we are very hopeful that Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele enters the race and gives us an excellent chance for another pickup. I also feel that Vermont affords us an opportunity to have a very competitive race.
On the Republican side we have only one open seat to defend-Tennessee. We already have some outstanding candidates competing in a primary, so our eventual nominee will certainly be top notch.
Republican incumbents may have competitive races in Rhode Island and Pennsylvania. In Rhode Island, Democrats failed to recruit their top two choices and will now have a primary slugfest between Secretary of State Matt Brown and former Attorney General James Whitehouse. In Pennsylvania, the Democrats have put a lot of confidence in perennial candidate Bob Casey Jr. So far he has run from the issues and refuses to clarify where he stands. Contrast that with the conviction and leadership of Senator Rick Santorum, and I think we will prevail in Pennsylvania.
The Democrats on the other hand may have additional key states to defend: West Virginia, Nebraska, North Dakota, Florida, Michigan, and Washington. The President carried FL, WV, ND, and NE in 2004 by 5, 13, 27, and 33 points respectively. I am actively working on finding outstanding candidates for these races, and I am confident we will do just that.
As you can see the landscape for defending - and building - our majority looks very promising right now. We are on offense and not defense-and we intend to stay that way.