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NRSC gets a rare break from Kerrey |
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By Aaron Blake
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Posted: 10/25/07 07:28 PM [ET] |
National Democrats looking to build on their Senate majority were dealt a second major blow in as many days on Wednesday, as former Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.) decided not to run for retiring Sen. Chuck Hagel’s (R-Neb.) seat in 2008.
In a statement posted to the Nebraska Democratic Party’s website, Kerrey said the time is not right for him and his family and that it would be too hard to leave his job as president of The New School in New York City.
On Tuesday, wealthy attorney Mikal Watts (D) withdrew himself and the millions of dollars he had invested in his campaign from the Senate race in Texas, also citing family concerns.
Democrats had hoped to make races in both red states competitive, and Kerrey and Watts both appeared their best options — Kerrey for his reputation in Nebraska and Watts for his ability to finance a Texas-sized campaign against Sen. John Cornyn (R).
As a result, Kerrey’s announcement let national Republicans for a second straight day claim an isolated victory in what has been, to this point, an arduous cycle.
“Any Democrat considering a run in a red state like Nebraska against Republican heavyweights like Secretary [Mike] Johanns and Jon Bruning has to be more than a little intimidated — even someone like Bob Kerrey,” said a spokeswoman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Rebecca Fisher.
Johanns, a former governor who recently resigned his position as secretary of Agriculture to run for Hagel’s seat, loomed as a top-notch opponent for Kerrey. Bruning, the state’s attorney general, could also be formidable. He’s raised about $1 million for the race.
Kerrey’s announcement is one of very few setbacks in a cycle full of positives for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC).
The committee, headed by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) for the second cycle in a row, has a sizeable cash advantage, more top-tier candidates and a growing list of takeover opportunities due to Republican retirements.
Most recently, the retirements of Hagel, Sen. John Warner (R-Va.) and Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) opened up the Senate races in their respective states. Popular former Gov. Mark Warner (D) is polling far ahead of his potential GOP opponents in Virginia, and New Mexico is a quintessential swing state.
While Democrats have candidates against most of their top targeted incumbents, the Republicans have yet to sign up a top challenger against any targeted Democrat. Louisiana state Treasurer John Kennedy (R) is expected to announce a run against Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) in the near future, however.
DSCC spokesman Matthew Miller said Democrats will have a candidate to be proud of in Nebraska, as well: “While Nebraska Republicans are locked in a nasty primary, we look forward to the Democratic Party fielding a strong nominee who can provide the change Nebraskans are demanding.”
Next in line for Democrats on the recruitment front are Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey and former congressional candidate Scott Kleeb, who both had been deferring to Kerrey. Despite the Democrats’ outward optimism, neither starts with anywhere near the advantages Kerrey would have brought to the race.
Fahey should decide on the race in a matter of weeks, and Kleeb is deferring to him.
In a statement, Fahey said it is “an honor to be encouraged by many Nebraskans to consider running for the United States Senate. For that reason, I will take the next few weeks to think it over.”
In an interview with The Hill, Kleeb said Wednesday was Kerrey’s day. “It’d be an honor to serve the state and continue to work on the things that we talked about last year in our campaign for Congress,” he said. “I haven’t made any decisions at this point.”
Kleeb fell to now-Rep. Adrian Smith (R) 55-45 for the open 3rd district seat last year.
Nebraska Democratic Party Executive Director Matt Connealy said that other potential candidates were showing interest after Kerrey’s announcement, but that Fahey and Kleeb appear the most viable.
“The lay of the land is still positive for us,” Connealy said.
Kerrey had long been rumored as nearly a sure bet to enter the race, and he said he was close to making the leap.
“I am deeply troubled about the direction of our country,” he said. “And the idea of returning home to Nebraska to lead a political campaign based on a promise to do my part to change the direction was very appealing. I love Nebraska and believe in public service.” |
