Democrats "expand the map"

[nini2287]

I would say my top 10 choices (in alphabetical/chronological order) for a pickup

CO-3 Marilyn Musgrave
CT-2 Rob Simmons
CT-4 Chris Shays (unfortunetly)
IN-8 John Hostettler
IA-1 Jim Nussle (open)
MN-6 Mark Kennedy (open)
NC-11 Charles Taylor (any bets on Heath Ledger?)
PA-6 Jim Gerlach
PA-8 Mike Fitzpatrick
TX-22 Tom DeLay
WA-8 Dave Reichert (the chance might have been blown)

[nini2287]

Dems hope to possibly make Pombo's seat in CA competitive in '06.  They are hoping that state senator Mike Machado will run against him.  Machado won re-election to the state senate in '04 by beating Stockton mayor Gary Podesto in a heated race.   Pombo is not well liked by many in his district for some of his stances on environmental issues.

If Machado loses against Pombo, the Dems will still have him in the state senate, and a competitive race could mean trouble for Pombo in '08 if he survives '06. 

Sounds like we're doing the same thing in PA with Tim Murphy's seat using State Sen. Sean Logan.