Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Pryce: Toughest Reelection Race of Her Career

The Washington Post has some very tough news for Republicans: The could lose 7 to 30 House Seats.
Oh, my! We can only hope it comes true!

Here is an excerpt from the Washington Post, as it relates to Republican Rep. Deborah Pryce (OH-15):

Rep. Deborah Pryce (Ohio), the fourth-ranking GOP leader, is facing the toughest reelection race of her career. She has said she had no prior knowledge of the Foley affair but has faced criticism for telling a reporter the former congressman was one of her closest friends in Congress.

"I don't think this is personally sticking to Deborah Pryce, but it is certainly having people have a more jaundiced view of Washington, which is not good for Republicans," said George Rasley, Pryce's spokesman. Pryce had a slight lead over Mary Jo Kilroy in her internal polling before the Foley scandal, an aide said, but Republicans expect Pryce to suffer as much as any incumbent for the renewed scrutiny of congressional ethics.

Scandals are hurting Republicans elsewhere in Ohio, where charges of corruption have rocked the GOP at the local and state levels for the past two years. In the open seat vacated by indicted GOP Rep. Robert W. Ney, Joy Padgett is struggling to lock down a reliably GOP seat east of Columbus, the state capital. Polls show Democrat Zach Space, a liberal critic of the war, on top and GOP strategists agree Padgett is behind.

"It is definitely a challenge to overcome," says Padgett spokesman Morgan Ortagus. "Voters are definitely in a throw-the-bums-out mood."

Space is calling for Hastert's resignation and is asking Padgett to do the same. Padgett cancelled a fundraiser with Hastert last week....

In the past, Pryce has had an easy time at winning the election. However, it appears that the Republican scandals may make voters decide to vote her out of office. Why? Pryce, as a Republican leader, is partially responsible for the behavior, climate, and work that goes on in the House. The Republicans have held their power firmly and now we see the results: They chose their own political party over what was best for the country.