Will Henry Seek Inhofe Senate Seat In 2008?
Will Governor Brad "Landslide" Henry try to parlay his huge November 7th victory over Congressman Ernest Istook into a race for the U. S. Senate in 2008?
Some observers are coy, saying it's too early to tell; others say it's a no-brainer and Henry is certain to seek the Senate seat now held by veteran Jim Inhofe, Republican elected in a 1994 special election and reelected twice (1996, 2002) since.
Those who see Henry running against Inhofe (and all presume Inhofe will run again) say the politically-moderate governor has far broader appeal than the arch-conservative Inhofe. They note that Inhofe has never won by a margin anywhere close to the margin Henry rolled up against Istook. They also note that while Henry's approval rating hovers at an astronomical 70 percent, Inhofe's approval ratings in the past have been nowhere near that number. Inhofe, his record shows, is no election pansy; he defeated popular Congressman Dave McCurdy in '94 (gun control was the key issue, McCurdy for, Inhofe against) and easily defeated former Governor David Walters, who has emerged as an outright liberal in recent years, four years ago, 57-36 percent. Henry no doubt will try to downplay any speculation about an '08 Senate race, but he'll have to face it sooner or later. Already, many within the Democratic Party have his name at the top of their list of "dream" candidates and they believe Henry is the one who can take out Inhofe, who has been a thorn in the side of liberals specifically and Democrats generally during his entire public service career that stretches back to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in the 1960s. And there undoubtedly will be poll pressure on Henry to make the race. As an example, the non-scientific online poll The McCarville Report Online has conducted in the past few days (you can still vote) shows clearly that some of the state's most astute political observers and insiders (our readers) believe Henry will make the race, with about 60 percent of that opinion. This poll will be the first of many, we suspect, that will pit Henry against Inhofe. The results of those broader statewide polls, whenever they come, could fuel, or kill, the speculation. If Henry does fancy entering the race, he'll need to make a decision soon; 2007 is almost here and Inhofe will be in full reelection mode, continuing to build his campaign warchest in anticipation of a full frontal assault from Democrats. Inhofe's September report to the Federal Election Commission shows he had about $500,000 in cash on hand; in 2005-06, he raised $626,014. In his 2002 race, he raised about $3 million.
Some observers are coy, saying it's too early to tell; others say it's a no-brainer and Henry is certain to seek the Senate seat now held by veteran Jim Inhofe, Republican elected in a 1994 special election and reelected twice (1996, 2002) since.
Those who see Henry running against Inhofe (and all presume Inhofe will run again) say the politically-moderate governor has far broader appeal than the arch-conservative Inhofe. They note that Inhofe has never won by a margin anywhere close to the margin Henry rolled up against Istook. They also note that while Henry's approval rating hovers at an astronomical 70 percent, Inhofe's approval ratings in the past have been nowhere near that number. Inhofe, his record shows, is no election pansy; he defeated popular Congressman Dave McCurdy in '94 (gun control was the key issue, McCurdy for, Inhofe against) and easily defeated former Governor David Walters, who has emerged as an outright liberal in recent years, four years ago, 57-36 percent. Henry no doubt will try to downplay any speculation about an '08 Senate race, but he'll have to face it sooner or later. Already, many within the Democratic Party have his name at the top of their list of "dream" candidates and they believe Henry is the one who can take out Inhofe, who has been a thorn in the side of liberals specifically and Democrats generally during his entire public service career that stretches back to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in the 1960s. And there undoubtedly will be poll pressure on Henry to make the race. As an example, the non-scientific online poll The McCarville Report Online has conducted in the past few days (you can still vote) shows clearly that some of the state's most astute political observers and insiders (our readers) believe Henry will make the race, with about 60 percent of that opinion. This poll will be the first of many, we suspect, that will pit Henry against Inhofe. The results of those broader statewide polls, whenever they come, could fuel, or kill, the speculation. If Henry does fancy entering the race, he'll need to make a decision soon; 2007 is almost here and Inhofe will be in full reelection mode, continuing to build his campaign warchest in anticipation of a full frontal assault from Democrats. Inhofe's September report to the Federal Election Commission shows he had about $500,000 in cash on hand; in 2005-06, he raised $626,014. In his 2002 race, he raised about $3 million.
Labels: Politics/Elections
posted by Mike McCarville @ 8:55 AM
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