Kerry's approval ratings, to put into perspective

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Despite Kerry's not all that great approval ratings, he has a 60% approval among Democrats in the latest poll, the primary electorate. That's really all that matters in the primary. So in the primary, he is essentially sitting where the following Senators are in the general:

29    AK    Stevens, Ted    R    Sr    62%    34%    28%
30    WA    Cantwell, Maria    D    Jr    62%    34%    28%
31    WV    Rockefeller, Jay    D    Jr    61%    32%    29%
32    ID    Crapo, Michael    R    Jr    61%    29%    32%
33    AZ    McCain, John    R    Sr    61%    34%    27%
34    SD    Thune, John    R    Jr    61%    36%    25%
35    IN    Bayh, Evan    D    Jr    61%    29%    31%
36    AL    Shelby, Richard    R    Sr    60%    31%    29%
37    VA    Warner, John    R    Sr    60%    28%    32%
38    ID    Craig, Larry    R    Sr    60%    32%    29%
39    NY    Schumer, Charles    D    Sr    60%    33%    27%       
40    NE    Hagel, Chuck    R    Sr    59%    35%    25%
41    OR    Wyden, Ron    D    Sr    59%    33%    26%
42    TX    Hutchison, Kay    R    Sr    59%    35%    24%
43    CA    Feinstein, Dianne    D    Sr    59%    34%    25%        
44    AL    Sessions, Jeff    R    Jr    58%    32%    25%
45    UT    Bennett, Robert    R    Jr    58%    32%    25%
46    MI    Stabenow, Debbie    D    Jr    58%    38%    20%

Basically, Kerry has as much chance of losing the primary as any of those have of losing the general. Anything think Larry Craig or Jay Rockefeller might be in trouble?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

That doesn't meant he would have any chance of losing whatsoever, and that's exactly the reason neither one will run.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

If he's not going to lose, there's no reason for any Congressman to throw away their seat just because he might be able to break 40%.

Besides, what issues would any primary challenger bash Kerry on? Unlike Lamont and Toomey, there is nothing that any challenger can use to turn the base against Kerry. There is also no way to get the grassroots support one needs to even come close. That's why I think this talk of a primary challenge to Kerry is just stupid. Why's no one talking about one to Lautenberg? (in a similiar position)

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

A 6 year old vote (that Meehan voted the same way on) that he has now turned against isn't going to cause him to lose. Lieberman got 48% despite still being to the right of Bush on Iraq, so I think Kerry's record for calling for troop withdrawl now is worth an extra 2 points. Have you seen DU or Kos? They aren't pissed at Kerry, but rather the media for making a mountain out of a molehill for that gaffe. A botched joke also doesn't lose a primary. And the grassroots still support Kerry based on DU. Not for the 2008 nomination obviously, but no one is calling for him to be tossed from the Senate like they were with Lieberman. Go suggest that on DU and see how much support you'll get. Kerry is not comparable to Lieberman AT ALL.

I just think people need to quit thinking there HAS to be a primary challenge to him. By some posts here you'd think it was written in stone. If Meehan is going to give up his seat because he's been offered a University Chancellorship, that's why, it's not so he can foolishly run against Kerry and use that as a backup. I'd bet ever dollar I have Kerry will still be in the Senate Jan 09, and that no member of the MA delegation is a total f**king idiot.

If he's not going to lose, there's no reason for any Congressman to throw away their seat just because he might be able to break 40%.

Shelley Moore Capito is female...

I was referring to the Massachusetts delegation.