I don't doubt it.  2002 was a strong Republican year.  Very strong.  Democrats had no advantage when it came to women voting.  

Sununu barely etched by.  Also, Shaheen is a very popular former governor.  

From here in Denver it sure looks like a number of Democrats could win Wayne Allard's seat, but we're a long way from election day.

What frightens me the most is the talk of an independent run -- Mike Bloomberg.

If Bloomberg AND Nader both run to the left fracturing the Democratic vote, all bets are off.

A Republican like Fred Thompson could easily win the White House with just the Hell-bent right wing-nut vote along with some right wing independents at around 40-42%.

That would play total havoc with all down ballot candidates.

I also think Hillary might also hurt down-ballot Democrats here.

DeFazio and Miller are the wrong targets.

I would recruit Kitzhaber instead of DeFazio. and Easley instead of Miller.

Shaheen recruit against Sununu is similar to a Casey vs Santorum race in PA. The incumbent Senator is the clear underdog against the Challenger.

I'll state it as fact. That was a GOP year, with Bush at huge approval rating and terrorism front and center. The final weekend had a big generic push toward Republicans nationwide. That was captured in polling including Democratic internals.

The phone bank shenanigans contributed to the margin but not the bottom line.

this is what I wrote the other day here vis-a-vis Shaheen:

"However, I am very doubtful everyone's lust for Jeanne Shaheen is that well-placed.  She's a terrible speaker, horrible campaigner, she's got her own milquetoast centrism, never-wanting-to-take-a-stand issues of her own.  Her 2002 campaign was DREADFUL.

No, Shaheen ain't it.  She's yesterday's news.  She had her chance and failed utterly.  Give someone else a chance.  A true-blue populist progressive can win that state in 2008."

Very good point.  A progressive friend of mine who lived in NH until 2 years ago considered Shaheed someone he could barely stomach voting for.

I'm always amazed about how much blogs such as this one and Kos spend half their time rending garments and gnashing teeth about out of touch elected Democrats who betray their party, then jump up and down with excitement about putting more of these people in Congress. (See Kerry, Bob.)

I think Marchand said he'll drop out if Shaheen enters the race.

Here is a comparison of all of the candidates, plus Shaheen, on the most important issue for NH voters: Iraq.

Short version: Swett & Shaheen supported the invasion, Buckey was against it from the beginning, Marchand wants our troops out now from a country that had nothing to do with 9/11.

I just made the case for that a couple days ago.

The big issue is that we have a late primary (9/08), so the presumption is that there's too little time to gear up and raise $ for the general, and too much time for the challengers to torpedo each other.

I don't agree with the wisdom of clearing the field for a big name regardless of issues, but there is something to be said for the basic calendrical reality of our senate primary.

If Shaheen enters, I would love for her to be strong because the voters want her, not because she's been anointed and the field cleared.

I support Marchand, but any of our candidates, and yes, that includes Katrina Swett, would be an improvement over Sununu.

Yes. They unveiled it on Blue Hampshire the other day.

http://www.bluehampshire.com/showDiary.d o?diaryId=1271

How about a link to his resume or an article or something? Is he a serious candidate?