| Otoh, conservatives were often way more conservative and there was the strange shift of Russ Feingold. Feingold went from a career score on crucial votes of 88.08 to a weak 56.25 so far this session. He might be a good contact for progressives.
Looking at decreases of over 10 points, the leader of the Conservadems, Evan Bayh, dropped from a 73.87 to a lousy 43.75 on clutch votes. Yes, he's up for re-election but he also has $12 million cash on hand. The Republicans would be crazy to put up a strong challenger as he really weakens the Democratic Party.
Max Baucus declined from a poor career score of 64.36 to a 47.92. Jon Tester made a parallel run in MT going from a 70.63 to a 52.08. I'd like to exert a little local pressure here. Baucus, in particular, is a major thorn.
Robert Byrd's score declined in part, possibly in large part, due to illness. The 91 year old dropped from a 74.41 to a 41.67. Not a target for anything but get well wishes as Manchin, for one, is probably more conservative. Besides, Byrd is incurably anti-war and I really like that.
Claire McCaskill should get no more featured slots. She's a major, major disappointment. Her score went from a weak 67.86 in a limited career to a 54.17. Way to fire up the base, Claire. She should have a huge target painted on her back.
I don't consider either Debbie Stabenow (87.67 to 77.08) or Maria Cantwell (85.60 to 75.06)Conservadems but each has dropped by more than 10 points and a little friendly contact might be helpful.
Amy Klobuchar is being talked up by some as a potential President. Why? She's dropped from an OK 80.95 to a questionable 62.50. Full court pressure.
Also dropping by more than 10 points are the will-o-the-wisp Blanche Lincoln (68.71 to 45.83), Ben Nelson (43.38 to 31.25), and Mary Landrieu (67.50 to 56.25). Local pressure on Lincoln and Landrieu might help. Nelson needs to start his own party with the Maine Ladies.
Jim Webb (73.81 to 58.03) is amenable to pressure. Kent Conrad? I don't think so.
Only three newbies score 90% or higher in crucial votes and none get a particularly easy time from the netroots. That's right, the best voters from the newbies are either ignored (Edward Kaufman at 95.83), reviled (Roland Burris at 93.75), or treated as a freak show because GOP talking heads savage him (Al Franken at a splendid 100%). Ease up on Franken,he really is showing leadership in the Wellstone mold.
Jeff Merkley and Kirsten Gillibrand both post 89s although Merley's is sincere and Gillibrand may be merely fighting off a potential primary. Her House votes were conservative. She was a Blue Dog. I frankly don't trust her for the future.
Arlen Specter has gone from a 27 to a 43.75 and is rising. The switch (and primary) are showing an effect. Where he would be after an election is an unknown. Perhaps slightly to the right of Bob Casey (79.17 this session). Jean Shaheen at 83.33 is a pleasant surprise. I would have expected a 70 to 75 on crucual votes.
Negative surprises on the newcomers: Michael Bennet (64.58), Kay Hagan (54.17) and possibly the Udalls. Begich is running a little scared and a 64.58 from the land of Sarah Palin is a lot more appropriate than a similar score from an appointee in Colorado. Mark Warner's 75 is way better than Webb's 58 this session. It is an OK score for him. |
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