'Your papers, please' must never be heard in America
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
A handful of Democratic Senate candidates are posting strong poll numbers in battleground states dominated by the GOP two years ago — giving that party hope that it can hang on to its slim advantage in the chamber.
Sen. Olympia J. Snowe of Maine's announcement two weeks ago that she won't seek re-election this year has set off a chaotic last-minute rush by potential candidates to organize campaigns - some from scratch - ahead of a Thursday deadline to qualify to run.
Despite a sagging economy and polls showing unhappiness among the electorate, the two major parties are expected to keep their gubernatorial seats this year — raising doubts about whether the anti-incumbency anger of 2010 will materialize again in 2012.
!["The ideal is somebody that is beloved by the tea party who holds statewide office in a swing state and, oh, is Hispanic and young," said Jennifer E. Duffy, of the Cook Political Report. "He [Sen. Marco Rubio] pretty much fills that bill, doesn't he?" (Associated Press)](http://media.washtimes.com/media/image/2011/08/28/rubio_reps_s101x71.jpg?c098eea3477ac6ce32c46b9d70a42787e13ce55a)
While the field for the Republican presidential nomination is crowded and up for grabs, many pundits and politicos are ready to proclaim a front-runner for the ticket's second spot — Florida's Sen. Marco Rubio.
Rising GOP star Rep. Paul Ryan is taking a pass on next year's open Senate race in Wisconsin, but that doesn't make the contest any easier for the Democratic Party, which is facing an uphill slog in a slew of battles across the Midwest.
Nevada Rep. Dean Heller said Tuesday he will run for the Senate seat held by fellow Republican John Ensign, who said last week he won't seek a third term in 2012.
As Democrats nationwide shun campaign help from the White House, Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias plans to buck the trend and stand boldly with President Obama during a presidential stop this week in Illinois.
The road to reconciliation commenced even before the balloons and confetti were swept away at Rick Scott's victory party.
Charlie Crist, to the surprise of many and the consternation of some, just won't go away.
"I don't think polling in the mid-40s is doing well," said Jennifer E. Duffy, who covers Senate races for the Cook Political Report. "I don't think she's the most vulnerable incumbent around. At the same time, her numbers have to be a little concerning."
"Two weeks is really not a lot of time to accomplish this," said Jennifer E. Duffy, who covers Senate races for the Cook Political Report. "They're scrambling on both sides."
Hopefuls scramble to qualify for seat of Maine's Sen. Snowe →
!["The ideal is somebody that is beloved by the tea party who holds statewide office in a swing state and, oh, is Hispanic and young," said Jennifer E. Duffy, of the Cook Political Report. "He [Sen. Marco Rubio] pretty much fills that bill, doesn't he?" (Associated Press)](http://media.washtimes.com/media/image/2011/08/28/rubio_reps_s286x200.jpg?f35efa3cfbd43556cae1f8dc904c8df4b6f70011)
