The bad news swirling around George Bush and the GOP is taking a toll on candidate recruitment.
In Illinois, former GOP Governor Jim Edgar was considered a leading candidate to challenge Rod Blagojevich. Not anymore.
And, in North Dakota, Governor Hoeven has decided not to challenge Kent Conrad. Rove took a strong, personal role in recruiting Hoeven, as reported by the Reverend Moon's paper earlier this week:
White House political adviser Karl Rove's attempt to persuade North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven to run against Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad next year underscores the overriding factor that likely will determine who wins the key 2006 Senate races -- recruitment.Karl must be losing his magic touch...or rather, the touch is radioactive.
Mr. Conrad's seat is considered safe right now, but it could fall into the vulnerable column if Mr. Rove can persuade the Republican governor, whose approval ratings are nearly 70 percent, to challenge the senator in a state that President Bush won last year with 63 percent of the vote.
Mr. Bush's chief political strategist flew to Fargo, N.D., on Saturday to meet with the governor, who is leading Mr. Conrad in early head-to-head polls 35 percent to 27 percent -- with 27 percent undecided. The White House has promised to give Mr. Hoeven its fullest support if he runs, but he has not revealed his intentions and isn't expected to until later this fall.
However you look at it, 2006 is shaping up badly for the GOP. The question is whether the Dems. can take advantage.
