Kerry's approval ratings, to put into perspective

[sethm0]

 Capito is overrated. Republicans salivate over her because she is the one successful Republican politician in a state they feel like they should be winning, but there is little evidence that West Virginia's recent shift to the right is a permanant realignment as opposed to a temporary phenomenon.

 Consider: Capito only won 57% in her own district in '06 despite outspending her opponent almost 5-1. Rockafeller, Byrd and Manchin are all much more popular and have won their recent races by much larger margins. Also, West Virginia's other two members of Congress, both Democrats, won re-election by significantly larger margins than her - even Mollohan, who was facing a significant corruption investigation.

 I give Capito no chance in a race against Rockelfeller and 50/50 at best in an open race against Nick Rahall or any of West Virginia's many Democratic state officers.
 
 In fairness, I see why Republicans talk about Cpaito so much - she is really all they have in that state.

[sethm0]

 As far as Kerry goes, I don't think he needs to panic, but he does need to start worrying. He'll get through the primary fine but if the Republicans put up somebody strong and he takes the race for granted, he could find himself in a much closer race than he bargianed for.

 If I were a Republican in Massachusetts, I wouldn't be thrilled about my chances anywhere, but I would maybe even see more potential opportunity in taking on Kerry than Meehan's possible open seat. Massachusetts is a very liberal state - the only thing keeping Kerry's numbers down are his personal qualities.