From The National Journal - Congressional race rankings

[Debi]

http://nationaljournal.com/racerankings/house/

2. IOWA-01 (Open-R) Jim Nussle is running for governor

This district has voted Democratic in presidential elections since before Nussle took office. So Nussle's decision to run for governor makes it a prime pickup opportunity for the Democrats. We smell split-ticket voting among Dems in the district, with Nussle benefitting in the governor's race but the Democratic nominee getting the help in the general.

<snip>


17. IOWA-03 (Boswell-D)

If this were going to be a better year nationally for the GOP, we'd probably rank this race higher. Democrat Leonard Boswell has been mostly AWOL the last few months due to health problems. Republican Lamberti is, by far, the best recruit the GOP's ever come up with against the Boz. Should Nussle run strong in the governor race, Lamberti could sneak in.

[Bluzmann57]

1. The comment on the First District race

tells me something. It says to whomever the Democratic candidate is, come here and come here a lot! Dubuque is most likely the only certain Democratic stronghold in the district. They dislike nussle and it is doubtful they will support him. The rest of the district however...Well, I repeat, Culver, Blouin, whomever, get here to the first district and do so often.

[Debi]

2. Actually, Nussle won Dubuque in the last two elections

and only lost when he was running against a person who was from Dubuque (Smith and Tully). Anyone from Dubuque have an explanation why? :shrug:

On Edit:
(Atually he also won in Black Hawk and Scott counties, so I can't really pick on Dubuque County).

[Bluzmann57]

3. Now thats a surprise

Dubuque is, was, and always wiil be a heavily Democrat town. And as far as Scott County, don't blame me. Actually, this county has voted republican for representative for years and years. Nussle, before him, Leach, before him, Schwengel. Almost as long as I can remember, this county has voted repub for it's reps. I don't really know why, except tp say that the incumbents are a known quantity, where a lot of people are afraid of change. There most likely is some other reason(s), but I don't know what they may be.
on edit- Hey, just wonderin'. What in the heck happened to UNI the other night? They got smoked at home in hoops. And they're not too bad. Is it the coach's trauma finally taking it's toll? Oh well, good luck to them the rest of the way.

[Debi]

4. AND ON FREAKING SENIOR NIGHT!!!

My husband says that every team hits a slump and sadly this is when UNI hit theirs. Hope they can get back in the swing of things SOON!!!

Dubuque is kind of both worlds, they are very Democratic, but also VERY Catholic (meaning anti-women's healthcare rights, stem-cell, GLBT) - so what do you do? :shrug:??

Black Hawk used to be a big Dem. stronghold - but Nussle's initial election here (in 1992) changed that as well. Now that all but one seat in the legislature is D hopefully we can turn it around and elect a Dem to Congress as well.