New Print Edition: Illinois 8 & Connecticut 4

The September 21, 2007 print edition of the Rothenberg Political Report is on its way to subscribers. The print edition comes out every two weeks and the content is not available online. Subscribers get in-depth analysis of the most competitive races in the country, as well as quarterly House and Senate ratings, and coverage of the gubernatorial races nationwide. To subscribe, simply click on the Google checkout button on the website or send a check. Here is a brief sample of what's in this edition...

Illinois 8: Her Multi-Front War

She couldn’t have realized how difficult it would be to juggle the spoils of victory. After losing her initial congressional run in 2002, Democrat Melissa Bean never looked back and went on to defeat long-time incumbent Cong. Phil Crane (R) in 2004.

In 2006, Bean became a Republican target, in part by representing a Republican-leaning district. At the same time, she faced a liberal, anti-war, third party candidate. Her 51% take last year in Illinois’ 8th District makes her an alluring target once again. And she’s likely to face at least nominal primary and third party challenges from the ideological left.

Subscribers get the whole story....

Connecticut 4: Democratic Takedown?

Even before the Democratic wave of 2006, Republican Cong. Christopher Shays nearly lost reelection in Connecticut’s 4th District. But last year, as colleagues to the east and west were falling, the Republican congressman won another term.

Now, Shays is no longer a Democratic target; he is the Democratic target, as the sole Republican congressman left in all of New England.

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