Well, there goes FL-16

[Mr.Phips]

"You work at my pleasure" --Tim Mahoney, misogynist pig and one-term fluke Congressman, said to his mistress.

I take it that you aren't exactly a fan of his...

Probably not as happy because if this gets reported heavily, Democratic House prospects will take a mild hit (don't overestimate it, however).  I can understand.

Of course, I agree that the guy's a a**hole, also.

If Democrats dont pick up at least 20 seats in the House this year, they shouldnt even want the White House.  They have to have a buffer against 2010. 

[Mr.Phips]

"You work at my pleasure" --Tim Mahoney, misogynist pig and one-term fluke Congressman, said to his mistress.

I take it that you aren't exactly a fan of his...

Probably not as happy because if this gets reported heavily, Democratic House prospects will take a mild hit (don't overestimate it, however).  I can understand.

Of course, I agree that the guy's a a**hole, also.

If Democrats dont pick up at least 20 seats in the House this year, they shouldnt even want the White House.  They have to have a buffer against 2010. 

Right now, the Dems have a 236-199 majority (Tubbs-Jones is vacant, but will obviously go Dem).

So, you're saying that if the Dems only pick up, say 15, which would make it 251-184, they wouldn't have enough buffer for 2010?  Are you saying that the GOP would have enough power to regain 34 seats (that would be the majority) or at least come close (which would probably be a worse scenario)?  I think a lot depends on what happens.

Its always possible, although very unusual that we see three wave elections in a row.  We are likely due for a normal midterm election in 2010. 

[Mr.Phips]

"You work at my pleasure" --Tim Mahoney, misogynist pig and one-term fluke Congressman, said to his mistress.

I take it that you aren't exactly a fan of his...

Probably not as happy because if this gets reported heavily, Democratic House prospects will take a mild hit (don't overestimate it, however).  I can understand.

Of course, I agree that the guy's a a**hole, also.

Yeah.  This scandal could harm Democratic chances in FL-08 and FL-24, just like the Foley scandal helped sink Clay Shaw and contributed to the near-win by Christine Jennings.

Different media market.  Shaw and Foley were both in the Palm Beach market, while FL-08 and FL-24 are in the Orlando market. 

[Mr.Phips]

"You work at my pleasure" --Tim Mahoney, misogynist pig and one-term fluke Congressman, said to his mistress.

I take it that you aren't exactly a fan of his...

Probably not as happy because if this gets reported heavily, Democratic House prospects will take a mild hit (don't overestimate it, however).  I can understand.

Of course, I agree that the guy's a a**hole, also.

Yeah.  This scandal could harm Democratic chances in FL-08 and FL-24, just like the Foley scandal helped sink Clay Shaw and contributed to the near-win by Christine Jennings.

Different media market.  Shaw and Foley were both in the Palm Beach market, while FL-08 and FL-24 are in the Orlando market. 

Yes, but the scandal will permeate the FL media coverage of House elections. Fortunately, Mahoney hasn't given any cash to the Democratic candidates in FL-08, FL-21, FL-24, FL-25.

Does anyone know if he's contributed any dues to the D-trip? If so, that cash could be used for  guilt-by-association attacks against  those Democratic challengers.

The only people that usually watch House race coverage are hard-core political junkies like us.  

This seat would be not that big of a loss anyway, since Democrats would likely lose it in 2010 anyway. 

[Mr.Phips]

Hey, maybe he could withdraw and someone could run in his place? "Punch Mahoney for ____!"

It dont think it would work for a Democrat here.  The district just barely leans Republican, but the majority of voters here have a strong tendancy to support the Republican.  Just look at the 2006 results.