Johanns enters the race in Nebraska, salvaging the GOP's chances
Former Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns has reportedly decided to run for the Senate seat left open by Chuck Hagel. Currently Secretary of Agriculture, Johanns will resign from the Administration soon and go back to Nebraska. This is the best news Senate Republicans have gotten in weeks - if not in the entire cycle - as Johanns is by far their strongest candidate. He was all but declared to run against Nelson in 2006 before Bush tapped him to be Secretary, and he will now attempt to correct that.
Now all eyes are really on Bob Kerrey, the former Democratic Senator and Governor who is immensely popular and who will announce shortly whether he will run for his old seat back. If he does, this is the toss-up contest of the 2008 election. If he does not, well, Democrats will be hard pressed to mount a credible challenge (though Omaha Mayor Fahey might give it a shot). By running, Johanns dramatically changes calculations in Nebraska. Without him, Republicans would have had little chance of holding off Kerrey.
Johanns will not have the Republican field to himself, however. Attorney General Bruning has been running for months and has little interest in withdrawing. And former Omaha Mayor and former congressman Hal Daub also declared his candidacy this week. This could give the time needed for Kerrey to reintroduce himself to voters while Republicans fight it out.
Now all eyes are really on Bob Kerrey, the former Democratic Senator and Governor who is immensely popular and who will announce shortly whether he will run for his old seat back. If he does, this is the toss-up contest of the 2008 election. If he does not, well, Democrats will be hard pressed to mount a credible challenge (though Omaha Mayor Fahey might give it a shot). By running, Johanns dramatically changes calculations in Nebraska. Without him, Republicans would have had little chance of holding off Kerrey.
Johanns will not have the Republican field to himself, however. Attorney General Bruning has been running for months and has little interest in withdrawing. And former Omaha Mayor and former congressman Hal Daub also declared his candidacy this week. This could give the time needed for Kerrey to reintroduce himself to voters while Republicans fight it out.
posted by Taniel at
11:20 AM
2 Comments:
I think this definitely shapes up to be one of the most exciting races should Kerrey get in. I think he will, but he does have a tendency to shift gears without warning, so it wouldn't be surprising for him to opt out. I also don't think Fahey has any real interest to run. He's been pursued by top Dems, but his focus seems on Omaha and a new baseball stadium.
The Republican primary should present an interesting contrast to voters. Bruning is seen as a rising party star, Daub is sort of a blast from the past, while Johanns is a contemporary top Republican, but he's never really run a tough race and has been out of state for several years.
Great blog, keep up the good work. I'll link you from mine, if that's ok.
By
Anonymous, At
19 September, 2007 14:45
My prediction:
The two will poll close to each other for the entire race. Then, the laws of physics will take over and Kerrey will lose, much like Brad Carson in 2004 (downticket from John Kerry). It's just too hard to convince 40% of the folks voting against Hillary to vote for the Democrat down ticket. I know Nebraskans are used to doing this, but there are limits...
By
Dvt guy, At
20 September, 2007 11:48
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