Politico: Ensign likely to run for reelection

[Mjh]

Looks like we're picking up a seat.

Just like you were supposed to pick up seats this year? Caused by the retirement of Republican incumbents in states ike New Hampshire, Ohio and Missouri and a popular new president?

But seriously. Ensign might of course become a casualty in 2012, but it is way too early to tell.

[Niemeyerite]

IMO, ensign won't be at much danger in the primary. a majority of republicans still like him. for example, people thought david vitter was going to be very vulnerable in 2010, and finally anyone challenged him, because those who were thinking about it recognized it was impossible to beat him.
The real problem for ensign is the general election.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Oh, Angle isn't going anywhere again soon; I was merely refuting your broad statement about 'retread' elections.


Anyway, some more Ensign news:

First, the FEC has dismissed a complaint concerning a $96,000 "donation" by Ensign's parents to the family of the aide whose wife he had an affair with.

Second, Ensign has indicated support for repealing DADT.  That will probably hurt him in the primary (if there is one).

I think in most cases, retreads end up weaker and far less likely to win. The Ensign/Thune scenario is most likely in the minority of occurances.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Looks like we're picking up a seat.

Just like you were supposed to pick up seats this year? Caused by the retirement of Republican incumbents in states ike New Hampshire, Ohio and Missouri and a popular new president?

But seriously. Ensign might of course become a casualty in 2012, but it is way too early to tell.

Just as Vitter was a likely casualty after his scandal broke... Indeed, too early.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Angle can primary him.

When are you going to learn that retreads in most instances are damaged goods and thus dead weight?

Know who else lost a narrow race to Harry Reid, and two years later was elected to the other Senate seat instead?  John Ensign.

Was Ensign as unpopular and disliked as Angle?

Did he run a campaign that would make him less electable in a presidential year with higher turnout?

There are ways to run a losing race and be a candidate later one (Ensign 1998/2000, Thune 2002/2004), and then there are ways to run a losing race and not be a strong candidate later on.

Well, point is, that people like Ensign and Thune come close and that was a success that allowed them to win another seat. While Angle blew up a safe pickup.

Mark the difference.