Pennsylvania: Tom Smith Launches Senate Campaign

Politics PA: 
Coal industry veteran and former Tea Party leader Tom Smith officially announced his U.S. Senate candidacy Tuesday morning in a fly-around tour of the state.
“I am humbled and encouraged by the support I have received in my campaign, from Republicans … and also from Democrats and Independents who believe it may be time for Mr. Smith to go to Washington.”
Harrisburg was Smith’s second stop on a two-day announcement tour across the state. He spoke in the headquarters of Hydroworx, a company that manufactures specialty underwater treadmills for use in rehabilitation.

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Hoekstra Hopes to Finally Rid Michigan of Stabenow

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National Journal: 
Former Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., who earlier this year passed on the opportunity to challenge Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow, has reversed course and will soon launch a campaign for the Republican nomination, a GOP source has confirmed to Hotline On Call. The development was first reported by MIRS, a Lansing-based legislative news service.
Sources say Hoekstra's official announcement is expected very soon, within the next week or so.

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Pennsylvania: Toomey Leads Sestak by 4 pts

Image via Wikipedia PA Survey of 750 Likely Voters
October 28, 2010  

Election 2010: Pennsylvania Senate
Pat Toomey (R)	50%
Joe Sestak (D)	46%
Some Other Candidate	1%
Not sure Rasmussen Reports	3%

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Illinois Senate: Kirk Leads Giannoulias by 4

Image via WikipediaIllinois Survey of 750 Likely Voters
October 26, 2010

Election 2010: Illinois Senate
Mark Kirk (R)	46%
Alexi Giannoulias (D)	42%
LeAlan Jones (G)	5%
Some other candidate	5%
Not Sure Rasmussen Reports	2%

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Pennsylvania: Toomey Regains the Momentum

The Morning Call/Muhlenberg College daily tracking poll of the race found Toomey leading Democratic Rep. Joe Sestak 47-42 percent, with 11 percent undecided.
In recent weeks, Sestak made up ground on Toomey in the closely-watched contest, but Monday's poll suggests that Toomey could be heading off that momentum. Three polls last week showed the Democrat and the Republican running in virtually a dead heat after Toomey had led the race for weeks. 

The Hill

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New Hampshire: Ayotte Wins Close Primary

New Hampshire has certified former state Attorney General Kelly Ayotte (AY'-aht) as the winner of the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.
Ayotte was endorsed by former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and won a narrow victory over Ovide Lamontagne (LAH'-mohn-tayn). His conservative credentials and courting of the tea party pulled him close in the final days of the campaign.

Real Clear Politics

 

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Would it be better to retake the senate or to come up short in 2010?

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In 1994 the GOP won both the House and Senate and Dick Morris promptly got Bill Clinton to triangulate. A similar win this year would open up a similar possibility for Obama. Even without the triangulation, his minions in the media could blame everything bad that happens on the potential Republican Congress, giving Obama an opportunity to win reelection in 2012. So what would be the best outcome? I would say the Republicans getting to about 47 or 49. Don't wish for 50, because a phony "Blue Dog" might use the opportunity to switch parties.

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Louisiana: Republicans Have Lead Over Lap Dog Democrat

Louisiana Survey of 500 Likely Voters
October 5, 2009

2010 Louisiana Senate Race
David Vitter (R)	46%
Charlie Melancon (D)	36%
Some Other Candidate	5%
Not Sure	13%

2010 Louisiana Senate Race
Jay Dardenne (R)	46%
Charlie Melancon (D)	33%
Some Other Candidate	6%
Not Sure	15%

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Ohio: Portman Leads Fisher by 1, Brunner by 2

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Ohio Survey of 500 Likely Voters
September 23, 2009

Portman (R)	41%
Fisher (D)	40%
Other	6%
Not Sure	14%

Portman (R)	40%
Brunner (D)	38%
Other	5%
Not Sure	18%

Rasmussen Reports