The news appears to be getting a little worse for Sen. Claire McCaskill's re-election hopes. According to Washington Post political blogger Chris Cillizza, anyway. Last week, The Post handicapped the Senate seats most likely to change parties, and McCaskill has risen from No. 5 to No. 3.
Cillizza's blurb for McCaskill's troubles might be even more worrisome for the senator. He notes that Republicans Sarah Steelman and Rep. Todd 'Liberals hate God' Akin, announced as wanting to replace McCaskill, have not established themselves as front-runners. But that might not be a problem.
Despite the lack of a leading opponent, Cillizza notes that Clairebear's
hopes are dimmer than previously thought. "While the GOP field isn't
stellar, Missouri is going to be a tough state for Sen. Claire McCaskill
(D) to win reelection," he writes.
Back in May, Roll Call reported that
with Akin and Steelman fighting for top position, some state
Republicans and consultants were nervous that voters would back
McCaskill for another term if a GOP candidate didn't separate himself or herself
from the pack. From that piece:
"If you're a small-business man in Columbia, Mo., you don't have aAt the time, the paper called the race a toss-up. Although Thecandidate yet. And if the small-business man ... who always votes
Republican doesn't have anyone he likes yet, that's a problem," the
Republican consultant said. "Because if left alone, they'll go with
Claire."
Post adds that while Steelman and Akin fight for donations and
distinction, St. Louis businessman John Brunner is widely assumed to be gearing up for a run. Brunner, whose company makes
private-label cosmetic and hygiene products, has already mentioned he
could self-fund part of his campaign. This race is already getting fun
to watch.
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