KS-Sen: Slattery Within Striking Distance

No Democrat since 1932 has won election to the United States Senate from Kansas, but that's not stopping former Democratic Congressman Jim Slattery from making a real pass at it this year.

Before March, the Unites States Senate election in Kansas was a shoe-in for Republican incumbent Pat Roberts. At that point there was no viable Democratic candidate in the race and the state has not elected a Democratic senator since 1932. However, the decision by Democratic Congressmen Jim Slattery to run for office has made the race potentially more interesting.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Kansas voters found Roberts leading Slattery 52% to 40%.

The incumbent leads Slattery by twenty-one points among male voters, but just six percent among women.

The Democratic challenger leads Roberts by three points among unaffiliated voters. Roberts earns the vote from 82% of Republicans while Slattery attracts 75% of Democrats.

This isn't a race that anyone expects Slattery to win or even necessarily to make tight. What's more, at this point Slattery does trail by a statistically significant margin. However, Slattery is well within striking distance at this point. Behind by just 12 points and already keeping the incumbent at around 50 percent, Slattery is already forcing both Roberts and the National Republican Senatorial Committee to take this race seriously. If you want to help Slattery make the most of this opportunity, head over to Act Blue today and make a difference.



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w00t! (none / 0)

we are jubilant today as we are pushing back the fear set out by the republicans and more good news from the front.  You are on a roll Johnathon.


Student Guy=JoeMentum. No really Student Guy=JoeMentum, after all JoeMentum was an embarrassment so is Student Guy. This sig is FAIL!!
by Student Guy on Fri May 16, 2008 at 04:54:56 PM EST

God I would love this seat (none / 0)

I think with Obama at the top of the ticket (and perhaps Sebelius as VP), we have a real shot at this.


John McCain wants to stay in Iraq for a century.
by jkfp2004 on Fri May 16, 2008 at 05:05:20 PM EST

Re: KS-Sen: Slattery Within Striking Distance (2.00 / 1)

As a lifelong Kansan, I fully expect Slattery to win!  Don't sell Kansas short!!!!

This isn't a race that anyone expects Slattery to win or even necessarily to make tight.


I'm United Methodist. I already have a Messiah.
by KnowVox on Fri May 16, 2008 at 05:06:42 PM EST

Re: KS-Sen: Slattery Within Striking Distance (2.00 / 1)

Ha, I love it!
You know the republican party is losing it when they have to spend money to keep Pat Roberts in office.
The fact that the well liked governor of our state is a Democrat sure isn't hurting things either.
I'm off to contribute.
"Who are you for? That is the wrong question. It should be who is for you?" HRC
by skohayes on Fri May 16, 2008 at 05:06:51 PM EST

Re: KS-Sen: Slattery Within Striking Distance (2.00 / 1)

Wow.  Just when I think I've got all the competitive Senate races memorized...I swear we're up to like 15 to watch now.

Republicans took a dozen in 1994, these things happen.  It's possible.


by Skaje on Fri May 16, 2008 at 05:07:07 PM EST

Re: KS-Sen: Slattery Within Striking Distance (2.00 / 1)

The only Senate races that I'd class as completely hopeless for us this cycle are South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi-A, and the two Wyoming races. Everything else, we have a legitimate shot at, even if it's an incredibly long one. That's, what, 18 Republican seats? Wow.


by Angry White Democrat on Fri May 16, 2008 at 05:11:28 PM EST

Re: KS-Sen: Slattery Within Striking Distance (2.00 / 1)

These are the races that can change the Senate for a generation--An open seat or a weak incumbent challenged by a strong and dynamic Democratic in a really bad year for Republicans with a good Democratic national ticket and a clear money advantage.

Once we can get a talented moderate Democrat into places like Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and possibly even Alaska and Idaho, we have a far better chance of keeping the seat Democratic. We need to really go for broke on a lot these seats this fall, because we may not have another year with these advantages for a decade or more.


by anoregonreader on Fri May 16, 2008 at 05:16:52 PM EST

Re: KS-Sen: Slattery Within Striking Distance (none / 0)

Maine just got competitive:

Rasmussen Polls: Collins 52, Allen 42.

All previous polls have had Collins up by more than 20%.  We've got a race on our hands here too.  Good thing the DSCC has like 10 times the money of the NRSC.

Filibuster-proof majority here we come.


by Skaje on Fri May 16, 2008 at 05:19:05 PM EST

Re: KS-Sen: Slattery Within Striking Distance (none / 0)

Likely Democratic Pickups
1)Alaska- Begich
2)Colorado- Udall
3)Maine- Allen
4)Minnesota- Franken
5)Mississippi-B Musgrove
6)New Hampshire- Shaheen
7)New Mexico- Udall
8)North Carolina- Hagan
9)Oregon- Merkley/Novick
10)Texas- Noriega
11)Virginia-Warner
by nkpolitics on Sat May 17, 2008 at 11:20:58 AM EST


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