Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Eyes on the 15th

It seems as though every political scientist, reporter, and network has eyes on Ohio's 15th congressional district. With President Bush's disapproval ratings plummeting every week, all are wondering if this will translate into voter discontent for Pryce and other Republicans. Here are some of the things that have been said about the Kilroy - Pryce matchup for the 15th district:

LA Times: Election day was five long months away, but Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-Ohio) decided to air her first television campaign ad early to set the tone for what promised to be a tough reelection fight.

But when the ad was broadcast in June, it contained an embarrassing error. Pryce's first name was spelled "Deboarah." The blunder was especially surprising coming from the camp of a seasoned, seven-term incumbent and senior member of the House Republican leadership.

When it comes to hardball campaigning, however, Pryce is something of a rookie. She has not faced a serious challenge since she was first elected to Congress in 1992. But that has abruptly changed this year — for her and for some other House Republicans accustomed to coasting to reelection....

THE HILL:
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, one of the most powerful business advocacy groups in Washington, is planning a cross-country tour through 12 states this August to endorse pro-business candidates and to register business employees to vote....
...
The Chamber will also hold rallies for vulnerable GOP House members such as Reps. Deborah Pryce (Ohio) and Curt Weldon (Pa.)....

ABC News:
...voters in Ohio's largest city also gave even support to President George W. Bush and Democrat John Kerry in 2004, suggesting they were not as Republican as might be assumed. The result put Pryce's seat in the national spotlight.

The Democratic Party has targeted Pryce's Columbus district as one of their best chances to snag one of 15 seats they need to gain control of the House in November's mid-term election.

"This district split 50-50 between Bush and Kerry. Since then, voters have become much more disenchanted," said Mary Jo Kilroy, Pryce's Democratic challenger. "Voters in central Ohio, like the rest of the country, want to see change."

While Republicans say Pryce will not be toppled, they fear her defeat would be hailed as proof that even the most powerful Republicans are vulnerable in the critical battleground of Ohio, the state that decided Bush's re-election two years ago....

What is my analysis of all of this attention? In my humble opinion as a resident of the 15th district, Pryce is in trouble. Voters associate Pryce with the failed policies of the Bush administration as well as the Republican culture of corruption which has hit every corner of Ohio. People are sick of it and are looking for change. As Patrick Murphy, a Democratic candidate for PA-8th, said: "To change Washington, we have to change who we send to Washington."

If we follow Patrick Murphy's reasoning, we have to send a new representative to Washington,DC. It is reasonable to say that Mary Jo Kilroy would bring a new perspective and a new energy to our district and the House.