Roemer to Challenge Lugar (IN)

[Moooooo]

From Political Wire:

"Informed and reliable Democratic sources" tell the Howey Political Report that former Rep. Tim Roemer (D-IN) "is seriously considering a 2006 challenge to U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar... Roemer confidants tell HPR that a statewide head-to-head poll taken by Garin-Yang last week had Lugar leading Roemer by 41-39 percent. It also revealed that 36 percent felt the country was on the right track and 53 percent felt the country was on the wrong track. Previous published polls in Indiana have had Senator Lugar with approval ratings in the 70th percentile."

[Moooooo]

Im taking this poll about as serious as the latest WV poll.

[Keystone Phil]

Im taking this poll about as serious as the latest WV poll.

Yeah. It would be an interesting race but still a pretty comfortable Lugar win.

[Ben Meyers]

Lugar is a popular incumbent, but with a good campaign and moderate views, some challengers can definitely win. 

[Sam Spade]

A major rule in political life is to never trust a poll that's released with an accompanying announcement of a candidacy.

That rule clearly applies here.

[MAS117]

Politics1.com.....

THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE. INDIANA: Democrats are buzzing with speculation that former Congressman Tim Roemer (D) will be their challenger next year against US Senator Dick Lugar (R). Lugar was first elected to the Senate in 1976, when he defeated an 18-year incumbent. Now a five-term incumbent, Lugar has cruised to easy wins in recent years against relatively benign opponents. Roemer -- a pro-life Dem who found himself pegged as "too conservative" when he ran for DNC Chair against Howard Dean earlier this year -- may be well positioned to give Lugar a feisty challenge. The DSCC is touting a poll that claims Roemer is within striking range, but take it with a grain of salt. Lugar would start as a favorite, but Roemer may be the type of Dem who could have a real shot at an upset win in the Hoosier State.

[nini2287]

Interesting though, like WV, it's certianly worth raising an eyebrow at but I woulnd't trust these polls very much (like those Hawaii polls)

[Filuwaúrdjan]

I'd be amazed if either Byrd or Lugar lose

[Democratic Hawk]

Im taking this poll about as serious as the latest WV poll.

I would too. Lugar is an overwhelmingly popular incumbent and, like his Democratic colleague in the Senate, regularly has favourable ratings in the mid-70s. I'd be very surprised if Lugar went down to Roemer, who I think would be a good candidate

Al, I think your old buddy Robert Byrd is safe in West Virginia, too

Dave

[Keystone Phil]

The DSCC is touting a poll that claims Roemer is within striking range

The DSCC used the same wording about a poll between Specter and Hoeffel.

[socaldem]

I don't think Roemer would have much of a chance against Lugar.  He's getting up there in age, though....is there any chance he might retire?

Perhaps Dems are trying to coax him into doing so... that being said, the assumption seems to be that he stays put. 

I would compare the race to West Virginia, except I think the chances for Roemer are a lot worse.  Still, I would LOVE to see the Democrats launch a major offensive against Republicans throughout the Ohio River valley region.

[WalterMitty]

no one should compare lugar to byrd.  1. lugar isnt a racist. 2. lugar doesnt suffer from dementia. 

they are as different as night and day.  so, yes, i do believe that byrd is in slightly more trouble than lugar.

oh wait, i forgot, im a populist now.  in that case.  BYRD RULES!!!!11

[Emsworth]

oh wait, i forgot, im a populist now.  in that case.  BYRD RULES!!!!11

Precisely; as WV is a populist state, Byrd will win easily.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

If Roemer is considering retiring from the House, and the fact that he considered becoming the DNC Chair strongly suggests that, I see nothing wrong with him doing so by offering Lugar a challenge.  If Roemer has tired of the House, then he would come out ahead whether he beat Lugar or not.

[Smash255]

Lugar probably is safe here, but I think this he has a better chance of losing than Byrd does ( although both chances are quite slim) due to Lugar having a much tougher & well known opponent than Byrd will face.

[Ben.]

Has Lugar said for sure that he's running in 06? If he does i suppose that it could well be his last race, perhaps a good run by Roemer (44%+ say) would stand him in very good stead where he to run for an open seat in 2012... maybe he's looking at the long term.

[Smash255]

Has Lugar said for sure that he's running in 06? If he does i suppose that it could well be his last race, perhaps a good run by Roemer (44%+ say) would stand him in very good stead where he to run for an open seat in 2012... maybe he's looking at the long term.

I assume he is running.  If he doesn't Roemer has a real good chance of running, but Lugar probably will run. 

[Joe Republic]

Can somebody please tell me where this poll says that the race is neck and neck?  It says that Lugar leads Roemer by about 40 percentage points, which means roughly 70% to Lugar, and 30% to Roemer.  I'd say that's probably about right.

[Jake]

I thought the poll said Lugar 41, Roemer 39