A number of good omens for GOP candidates in Wisconsin this week, as Republicans look well-positioned to pick up Russ Feingold’s Senate seat, at least two House seats, including that of outgoing House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D), and the governor’s mansion. Here’s a rundown:
• Ron Johnson: (Senate) Larry Sabato joined other political handicappers in moving the Wisconsin Senate race from “Toss Up” to “Lean Republican.” Johnson continues to lead by significant margins the polls.
• Sean Duffy: (WI-07) A new poll from The Hill has Duffy leading state Sen. Julie Lassa by nine points — 44 to 35 percent — among likely voters, with 18 percent undecided. Duffy leads in every major demographic except voters over age 55, according to the poll. He has a 17 point lead among Independents.
• Reid Ribble: (WI-08) The DCCC announced it was canceling its remaining ad reservations on behalf of Ribble’s opponent Rep. Steve Kagen (D), a pretty clear indicator that Democrats are no longer confident in Kagen’s ability to hold his seat. Meanwhile, the NRCC and several GOP-allied groups have ramped up their ad campaigns against Kagen.
Mark Jefferson, executive director of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, said Democrats have only themselves — specifically their handling of the economy over the past two years — to blame for their electoral misfortunes.
“The Democrats would be doing great right now, except that people tend to notice when their wallets are empty, government spending and debt are skyrocketing and there are no jobs,” Jefferson said in a statement to BATTLE ‘10. “If this election is a referendum on the status quo – the Democrats’ status quo – there are going to be a lot of pink slips on November 2nd with their names on them.”