Now that the obligatory wrestling reference has been dispensed with, there is news from the state of Connecticut. As expected, and discussed here over a month ago, pro wrestling industry magnate Linda McMahon has decided to run for the U.S. Senate.
In an interview with MSNBC this morning, McMahon stated her case, and tried to deflect the impact her day job will have on her Senate campaign:
It is tempting to dismiss someone with McMahon's rather comical entertainment background (how many Senators, for example, can claim that they were the recipient of a tombstone piledriver from a 320-pound man?), but that might well be a mistake. McMahon's company had net revenues of over half a billion dollars (PDF) in 2008, and she'll be able to self-fund, for certain.
Indeed, knees have to be quaking over at the headquarters of Republican frontrunner Rob Simmons, and not just at the prospect that Mrs. McMahon might send over some of the company's talent roster to the HQ.
Simmons is certainly, according to polling, the frontrunner in a crowded GOP primary. If he has an achilles heel, however, it is that he has not been a formidable fundraiser. He was badly outraised by Chris Dodd last quarter, barely beat a relative unknown in his own primary (former Ambassador Tom Foley).
The incumbent, at present, has a nearly 4-to-1 cash-on-hand edge over Simmons. Simmons' rivals for the GOP nomination are within striking distance financially. Indeed, given his name recognition from his years in Congress, he had a chance to clear the field early. His modest fundraising left the door open, and Linda McMahon is now just the latest contender to kick the door down.
Just to get out of the GOP primary, Simmons was already going to have to compete with a Paulite mini-celebrity (Peter Schiff), who should have no problem raising cash. On top of that, Simmons now will also have to contend with a candidate who could probably self fund to the tune of eight figures without having to break much of a sweat.
And...if her past work is any indication, she is not afraid to fight dirty:
Wear a cup, Rob. Wear a cup.