Sunday, September 05, 2010

Does the DNC Write Off Kagen?

The 8th/Wisconsin is occupied by a VERY weak incumbent.

So does the DNC write him off in ER-triage fashion? (Ask him. He's a doctor, right?)

In the next two weeks, Democratic leaders will review new polls and other data that show whether vulnerable incumbents have a path to victory. If not, the party is poised to redirect money to concentrate on trying to protect up to two dozen lawmakers who appear to be in the strongest position to fend off their challengers.

In Wisconsin, Baldwin and Moore are virtually bulletproof. Kind is in good shape, although not a lead-pipe cinch. Lassa is climbing up a steep hill, and Kagen? He clambered aboard in the '06, when (R)s took serious damage, stayed aboard because of Obama in '08.

Now? Maybe he'll have to sell a clinic or two to finance the campaign.

HT: AOSHQ

2 comments:

badger said...

I would anticipate Kagan will easily be re-elected. Given Kagan's ability to self-finance, I'm doubtful he'd have seen much DNC support anyhow.

Jeremy R. Shown said...

Badger's right that the DNC support won't be much, but not because Kagen can self-finance.

Compared to all of the GOP challengers Kagen is a world class fundraiser. He raises more money from PAC's than he does from individuals. Labor PAC's typically lead his fundraising. He has close to $800k CASH on hand and only has to get through a 6 week general election.

So even though he has a tendency to spout some rather off the wall things, he will be a formidable challenge even without DNC help.