Sunday, July 06, 2008

2008 Races- July Ratings

This will be the last edition of the ratings in this format, because in three weeks, I intend to begin a Race of the Day look at every single race for Governor and U.S. Senate in more detail, starting with the states in alphabetical order.

AL Sen- Safe R

AK Sen- Leans R

AR Sen- Safe D

CO Sen- Tossup (D)- change from (Tossup-R)

DE Gov- Leans D

DE Sen- Safe D

GA Sen- Safe R

ID Sen- Safe R

IL Sen- Safe D

IN Gov- Leans R

IA Sen- Safe D

KS Sen- Likely R

KY Sen- Leans R

LA Sen- Tossup (R)

ME Sen- Likely R

MA Sen- Safe D- change from Likely D

MI Sen- Safe D

MN Sen- Leans R

MS Sen A- Safe R

MS Sen B- Leans R

MO Gov- Leans D- change from (Tossup-D)

MT Gov- Safe D

MT Sen- Safe D

NE Sen- Safe R- change from Likely R

NH Gov- Safe D

NH Sen- Tossup (D)- change from (Tossup-R)

NJ Sen- Leans D

NM Sen- Likely D

NC Gov- Tossup (R)

NC Sen- Likely R- change from Leans R

ND Gov- Safe R

OK Sen- Safe R

OR Sen- Leans R

RI Sen- Safe D

SC Sen- Safe R

SD Sen- Likely D

TN Sen- Safe R

TX Sen- Likely R

UT Gov- Safe R

VT Gov- Likely R

VA Sen- Likely D

WA Gov- Tossup (D)

WV Gov- Safe D

WV Sen- Safe D

WY Sen A- Safe R

WY Sen B- Safe R

Veepstakes- Volume 6

1. Mitt Romney- former Massachusetts Governor and 2008 Presidential candidate (1)- has been mentioned in a couple recent articles as the "front-runner" for the job.

2. Rob Portman- Former OMB Director and former Ohio Congressman (2)

3. Christopher Cox- SEC Chairman and former California Congressman (3)

4. Tim Pawlenty- Minnesota Governor (4)- Minnesota may be tough to deliver this year, but the man has cut his mullet nonetheless. That is dedication!

5. Eric Cantor- Virginia Congressman (10)- I think it gets to be more of a longshot for this list at this point and below, but the Cantor thing, which would be seen as "bold", sort of like when Mondale picked Ferraro in 1984 could be looking a bit more realistic.

6. John Thune- South Dakota Senator (new)- Thune is said to be pretty high on McCain's list and could be seen as an "alternative" if he decides he cannot go with Romney.

7. Bob Riley- Alabama Governor (6)

8. Fred Smith- CEO and President of Federal Express (new)- if McCain wants to go with an "outside the box/business leader" type, this could be the guy. I have seen it mentioned a couple places.

9. John Kasich- former Ohio Congressman (8)

10. Bobby Jindal- Louisiana Governor (9)

I am dropping the always long-shot possibility of former Oklahoma Congressman J.C. Watts, basically because he has been quoted as having not ruled the possibility that he might vote for Obama. I would be shocked if he did, but off the list he goes!

Finally, congratulations are in order to another potential McCain running mate, Florida Governor Charlie Crist on his impending marriage.

Two Important Messages

1. A great conservative icon and a true American patriot passed away on the Fourth of July this year. May Senator Jesse Helms rest in peace.

2. While he may already be asleep at this hour (or is he in Japan?), I want to wish a very Happy Birthday to President George Walker Bush, a great man and a visionary leader, whose positive impact on this nation and this world will only be fully recognized through the lens of history.