Tough U.S. House races

Want evidence of the grim challenge facing Republicans across the country? Just turn on your TV, and you'll soon hear battle cries from the candidates vying to replace Katherine Harris in Congress, Democrat Christine Jennings and Republican Vern Buchanan.

Even more startling in a state where most congressional seats are drawn to ensure Republican control, the 13th Congressional District is one of three U.S. House seats in Florida that Democrats seem on the verge of winning. Florida is now a central front in the battle over whether Democrats win control of Congress. Story is here.

Comments

Sylvia Martinez another example of "party before the people" republican.

I bet she votes against her personal circumstances and for those circumstances she wishes for.

Can anyone say koolaide drinker - and she swallowed.

These three races will be very telling on the rest of the country. If republicans take 2 of these, leaving the scandal ridden FL-16 out of it, I believe it will represent Republicans barely holding onto the house.

FL-13 Vern may still be able to pull it off, but he is surely behind, but by 3-4 points currently. Not a big hump in a republican district. But Vern has some scandals already dragging him down.

FL-16 If republicans win this seat, which they wont, democrats are dead this year again.

FL-22 Shaw, a moderately republican district, this will tell more to the country than the other 2. Shaw is non-confrontational, and the voters hearts on Nov. 7th will tell. If he wins, reps do at least OK, not losing a landslide nationally, if he loses, we better prepare for a bad night.

Vern's campaign is stupid for bringing Prez Bush in this close to the election. They are doing the Katherine strategy of "let's get our base fired-up." This will backfire. Democrats and Republicans must move to the middle of the political spectrum to win, not back to the edges.

I agree! Let the RPOF, NRCC and RNC get the base out and then let the campaign move to the middle and at least appear a little more moderate.

[Gene Smith]

Once again, the Times has failed to point out another race that is more competitive than they want you to believe.

FL-09 is going to shock a lot of the so called "experts." Phyllis Busansky has now received the endorsements of both the St. Petersburg Times and the Tampa Trib. I know, it is a bit ironic that the Times ed board endorses Phyllis, while the newsroom continues to downplay the race.

Gus Bilirakis and his totally incompetent staff are in full meltdown mode after Gus and gang have screwed up their response to the Foley scandal.

Gus "we have no stance on that" Bilirakis is also ducking Phyllis at every opportunity. There was even a televised debate in Hillsborough that went on with Phyllis alone when Gus was, once again, a no show.

There are at least 4 Florida seats in play. Phyllis actually has a much less difficult row to hoe than Christine Jennings does.

Stay tuned.

Gene,

Keep smoking the crack pipe. Gus will win by 20% minimum. Your bias is clearly out in the open, and I think it is making you delusional.

Your comments are becoming as fantasy based as if I said republicans would gain seats in the national congress.

Still waiting to hear from Gus' office on where I can find him to ask him some real questions. When I find him = I'll share an everyone can join me in asking him for REAL answers - you know, the ones that he meant to say.

http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReportPopup.aspx?g=20103043-8651-4b50-95b0-2fceda2d71a0&q=31808

Ultraconservative Trib comes out for Busansky.

They think that Gus has left the state.

Hey RPOF, get off your butts and start working. Attending events is not working. Start backing Gus. He is slip sliding away.

[Reality]

The Trib and the Times threw the “proverbial dog” a bone, that’s it. Hell, the Times dumped Gus using the “heirloom” smack… then tossed it to Castor.

Can you say oxymoron theoretics?

Gus will win this, Busansky will never be heard from again, and the D’s piss more $ and another opportunity away!

Our boy is fading faster than Ruben Studdard.

Maybe, but at least he doesn't support Clay Gaykin!

[Gene Smith]

9:05

Normally I wouldn't dignify your comment with a reply, but this is not directed solely at you. But I am going to use you as an example:

"Keep smoking the crack pipe"

"Your bias is ...making you delusional".

"Your comments are becoming as fantasy based ..."

These quotes came from the 9:05 post. Here is another one:

"Gus will win by 20% minimum"

This is actually my favorite example of the type of unsubstantiated declaratory statement that I find so amusing.

Here's the thing:

When you disagree with a post, try to explain why you think that post is wrong. Attacking the poster ("smoking ... crack", "delusional", "fantasy based") does nothing to influence my opinion. You may think you are being comical and / or cute, but you are failing in both.

When you can not attack the post (not the poster) try to show a little restraint and move away from the keyboard.

Gene,

I also posted 9:16, the latest poll, Gus up 29 points. Is that not a.... fact??

Where is Gus today? Where can I take my 84 yr old father to meet the candidate? My dad's got some questions before he votes?

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

[Gene Smith]

Rich,

I really wish you would use your name. I didn't realize that was you at 9:05. I could have had even more fun.

Well Richie Rich, you seem to know as much about polling as you do about politics. But I suppose I am going to have to go look at this Survey USA poll that you seem to put so much stock in.

We'll see. As the Governor of California says, "I'll be Back".

[Gene Smith]

OMG Richie:

This is pitiful, even for you. THIS POLL IS THREE WEEKS OLD.

You are really beginning to worry me Rich. Please phone home and let them know if you are OK.

Gene,

I am not sure why you keep calling me Rich. Since i have entered this blog, i have been called conservativevoter, moderate, GOPgator, and now Rich. What the heck?

Oh yea, I have been called terminator as well, which I have had many conversations with termie in the last 2 weeks. I guess I must have had conversations with myself.

who is rich???

why aren't there any members of the bilirakis family serving in iraq? why can't these well-heeled republican families perform any military service for their country? are they too good for military service?

[Gene Smith]

Well rich or 11:28 or whoever the heck you are, you don't leave us much choice.

Rich was the wingnut who loved his wingnut polls, particularly Survey USA. He seems to have lost his way to the blog. Or, heck, maybe he actually have had to do some work. He may even be on jury duty, or possibly in jail.

Anyway, do you have no shame for posting a 3 week old poll and trying to make us believe, (A) that it was any good in the first place, or (B) that it it represents the current state of the race?

I think Rich is hot!

Sarasota Herald-Tribune endorsed Jennings today.

has anyone seen the tv commercial - for dog food that has the good looking woman getting on the subway and her little bitty cutesy wutesy dog - with hairy ears is her guard dog and his name .... Gus. the dog food is for "Small & Toy" breeds of dogs .... that's how I'm now going to look at Gussie Bilirakis as a small toy.

Btw Gus will be at the Sheriff's thing in Lithia this sat at about 12 noon. and yeah, ,everything else is "by invitation only" even a couple of open houses in trinity and new port richey on the 28th.