8 Comments
Facebook
Fark
Digg
Reddit
Stumble
Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011 | 5:17 a.m.
Related files
Rep. Dean Heller all but telegraphed his intention to run against Sen. John Ensign by taking a poll to gauge his viability and discovering he leads Ensign by 53-38. The survey, taken last month, is the strongest indication yet that Heller will take on Ensign – otherwise, I would not have these results because if he were not running, these numbers would never have seen the light of day. He took a poll to gauge his competitiveness, and these results have to have thrilled him.
“I am taking a serious look at the race for U.S. Senate,” Heller said in a statement reacting to the poll. “I will announce my decision in the very near future.”
That statement alone ought to be enough to freeze some money that otherwise would have gone to Ensign. As Heller ramps up his campaign, Ensign may still get to a couple of million – he is on Finance – but the dirge is getting louder.
The poll is disastrous for Ensign, as you can see from the polling memo from The Tarrance Group I have posted at right. Ensign’s support has disintegrated, including in Clark County, where Republicans who know both candidates still favor Heller. Heller doesn’t just dominate Ensign, but because he has the conservative vote nearly locked, he also wins easily in a multi-way field.
Remember, too, the survey was taken before the Senate Ethics Committee announced the appointment of a special counsel, so this actually may be a high water mark for the senator. He may think he has stanched the bleeding, but no tourniquet exists that will stop him from exsanguination.
Will Ensign still run? How to predict the actions of one who seems willing to put his own delusions ahead of family, friends, party and country? Hard to see what would dissuade him outside of the ethics panel clobbering him, money drying up or a conscience being implanted.
Oh, and that other sound you hear is Sharron Angle preparing to announce for Heller’s seat….
Lately, Heller has made himself more visable on political television than Ensign, if that is any indicator. And, Heller has made some rather popular stands in Washington, D.C., whereas, Ensign must be asleep at the wheel or out trotting across the countryside campaigning for money. Just an observation and saying.....
hey dennis...
me thinks you got it wrong...
if proud liberal democrats are going to cross party lines in the republican primary...
which i don't think they will...
but if they did...
they damn well better vote for johnny slept with his best friend's wife then ran to mommy and daddy to fix his boo boo ensign...
that's a no brainer buddy...
then we can kick snot nosed spoiled rich kid johnny's
@$# in the general election!!!
run johnny run...
mommy and daddy will write you a check...
run johnny run!!!
run sharron run!!!
the longer these bozos stay on the stage...
the more powerful we proud liberal democrats become...
run sharron run!!!
wow, the republocrats will help the demicans to regain a few seats. Right now Johnny probably would lose a vote for dog catcher. He earned it!
Heller will be a big plus to Nevada as senator. He'll balance wacky Harry and then Angle will win his congressional seat so Nevada will remain strongly conservative....
Senator Ensign is his own worst enemy saying "going to work real hard to earn back Nevadans trust" and then not following up. Like how Mr Ensign abandoned his constituents that he (Ensign) pledged to help with constituent services. Hey, Thanks for nothing Senator Ensign. PRupp B125 SP NV 89047
John Ensign rode his dad's coat tails as far as he could.
Did a lousy job as senator, now it is time to go Johnny boy!
It cost a million to win congressional seat(two months on job) promised to be great congressman and represent Nevada.
It will cost several million more for senate(stay for 20 years) will promise to be great senator and represent Nevada.
In the end the only thing accomplished is we made another politician rich and feed his ego.
Man, this is getting old!!!!!!