Barbara Mikulski

[Adlai Stevenson]

If Michael Steele runs again and 2010 is an open seat race in a Republican year, I would be worried.  Steele ran better than any Republican Senatorial candidate had in about 30 years in Maryland. 

[Adlai Stevenson]

I've made the point before - but Steele came closer than any Republican has in getting elected to the Senate from Maryland since 1976 or thereabouts.  He lost 54%-44%, but the race was anamoly in that it was one in a Kerry state that was closer than the latter's victory there two years earlier.  The fact that it was 2006 and Steele could come that close makes me think that even if he couldn't win in say an open-seat election in 2010, he could make it close again.  Nor do I really understand how his name has been 'tarnished' since the election.