Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Western 2014 Races Start Slow

With the exception of a couple of women challengers, the western governor and senate races are slow starting.

Incumbents appear ahead for re-election. In the case of Governor Jerry Brown, it could be by 30 points or more. The major senate fight is likely to be in Montana where the retirement of Max Baucus gives Republicans a possible pick-up of one of the six seats they need to take control of the senate (a big number).

Liz Cheney has added some excitement to what was an easy and boring re-election for Mike Enzi in Wyoming. It’s not clear Wyoming Republicans are interested in seeing their local race nationalized by the Cheney family.

Sarah Palin, suffering from an attention deficit, talks as if she might challenge Mark Begich in Alaska. She is very 2008 and doesn’t appear nearly the phenomenon today.

Colorado’s drift to the left is confirmed by the apparent lack of top Republican talent against the re-elections of Governor John Hickenlooper and Senator Mark Udall. They both have their vulnerabilities. Hickenlooper made a controversial death penalty decision and had a runaway state legislature, and Udall has a great image, but a thin story for five years in the senate, an institution nearly everyone believes is a failure. However, as of today, they both are headed for re-election.

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