Today we know that based upon a recent poll, Mary Landrieu has a sizeable but not overwhelming lead against John Kennedy, state treasurer.
Also, while Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are beating one another’s brains out, John McCain is riding on easy street until the “real race” begins.
Then, yesterday, we were informed that Jeanne Palfrey rested her case which gave David Vitter a “testimony-free ride” to the 2010 elections.Palfrey, who decided not to call Vitter to the witness stand has been convicted of money-laundering and racketeering associated with prostitution.
Obviously, a McCain good showing this fall and possible ultimate victory would help any Republican candidate in November and even David Vitter in 2010 despite Louisiana’s junior Senator’s willingness to take the Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination.
You would think that John Kennedy would be doing better in the polls but he has been pounded left and right by a tag team of Democrats and the Friends of Mary Landrieu in recent weeks and has an uphill battle against a well-financed and even relatively popular Senior Senator.
Which all raises the question, why doesn’t John Kennedy give up in his fight against Landrieu and turn his attention against David Vitter?Based upon a recent poll by SMOR, Mary Landrieu is doing quite well in the favorable ratings and in contrast, Kennedy is still relatively unknown and could have a tough time defining who he is, politically.
Certainly, right now, Kennedy does not have the bonafides of a “true red” Republican having just made the switch for pragmatic purposes which Landrieu and company have been able to exploit.
And, yes, while Vitter won’t be facing the “nasties” in Court and can hide behind his wife’s skirt for another two years, ultimately, he will have to face the voters and his favorable numbers have tumbled.He has been the poster boy for the Democrats before and his decision to take the Fifth as a US Senator could certainly hurt him that much more in the future, even if we are spared of titillating details.
Kennedy’s real chance to be the next Washington John Kennedy could be in 2010, not 2008, but not if he loses to Mary Landrieu.
Should Landrieu who has good “favorable” numbers best Kennedy this fall, he will be deemed a “loser” in another big election.
The reality is the Republican Party has too many good candidates (including Kennedy) to waste its time on David Vitter who will only bring down the party in the area of family values, which is their core of political strength.
And, Kennedy is too bright to be thrown out to the wolves by facing Landrieu with a weakened David Vitter primed to be politically term-limited.
Alternatively, while I acknowledge that politics is full of uncertainty, a 2008 Republican win against Mary Landrieu and a 2010 win by David Vitter is not out of the realm of reasonable future possibilities, but, it is no certainty either.
Admittedly, there are many factors to consider this fall and certainly, over the next two years.Among those questions are whether Louisiana will be hurricane-free, who is the Democratic Presidential candidate, whether David Vitter can stay off of late-night television, whether the Democrats or Republicans are considered the culprits this fall election.Of course, the basket-full of question marks will mount.
But, John Kennedy is no dummy.He must be looking at the numbers and wondering if he will not be the sacrificial lamb.He owes the Republican Party very little right now and waiting for the right time to make his move could be a better choice before he gets squeezed out by a popular and potentially powerful Senator Mary Landrieu and by another statewide Republican leader willing to run for the yen in 2010 should Vitter not be the party boss or should he decide to stay out of the public’s eye.
Today we know that based upon a recent poll, Mary Landrieu has a sizeable but not overwhelming lead against John Kennedy, state treasurer.
