Among Senate candidates who aren't incumbents, Bernie Sanders...

[Eric J in MN]

...has the biggest lead in the polls (57 to 36 in Vermont, based on combined polls used by electoral-vote.com.)

http://www.electoral-vote.com


Does that mean more self-described "Socialists" should run for office?

[sandyd921]

1. Works for me

n/t

[FogerRox]

2. Works for me too.

[Pyrzqxgl]

3. Lets bring back Norman Thomas & Gene Debs

[TheVirginian]

4. That's not really saying a whole lot.

There are only four open seat elections this cycle, and no matter who the Democrat (or Indie-who-caucuses-with-Democrats) was in Vermont, they would have a larger lead than in Maryland, Minnesota, or Tennesee.

[Eric J in MN]

5. The VT-AL House seat is relatively close.

Ten points in the latest poll:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2006/house/vt/vermont_at_large-111.html

So I don't see how it can just be taken as a given that the Indie-who-caucuses-with-Democrats would do better in VT than in Maryland, Minnesota, or Tennesee because of the state.

[cali]

6. Actually it is almost a given that a dem or indy who

caucuses with dems willbeat a repuke in VT in a run for Congress. And the electorate here is very different from the electorate in TN, and even in MD. Martha Rainville, at the onset of the campaign, was better known than Welch. She was the Adjutant General of the VT National Guard, and virtually everywhere as the state comforter in chief over the last 3 years. Leahy tried to recruit her for the dems. She's pro-choice, pro-environment and wants to fire Rumsfeld. I wouldn't vote for her for anything; she's run a sleazy and amateurish campaign. In any case, Welch is an outstanding candidate, a truly great guy. He's 10 points up in all the polls, and when it comes down to it, no matter how much Vermonters want to send a moderate, attractive woman candidate to D.C., they simply won't vote for someone who will caucus with the pukes. Martha's toast. (But I'll still be going door to door and handing out campaign lit up until the election).