Oh, please. All year long I’ve thought it was too much to ask.
An internal poll (R) taken in Virginia’s 8th District (Alexandria, etc.) shows ten-term US Rep. Jim Moran (D) with 45 percent to 32 percent for his Republican opponent, retired Army Col. Patrick Murray. Less than 50 percent is a weak sign for an incumbent, especially this one, deemed a shoo-in by most observers. However, it was a Republican poll.
That may not sound like much, but Virginia’s 8th district is a D+16 district. Jim Moran won in 2008 by a 68 percent to 30 percent margin. Two years earlier, he won 66 percent; 60 percent in 2004 and 2002.
A guy who usually wins by 30-some percent is only up 13.
Okay, now maybe Patrick Murray is my special crazy insane upset pick.