The Northeastern states typically skew toward the progressive or liberal candida
Republican or Democrat (even Independent), and the 2006 midterm elections are no different. While party standards like Ted Kennedy and Hillary Clinton face little real opposition, there are hotly contested open seats in Maryland and Vermont and a strong intraparty challenge in Connecticut. Observers should look to the Northeast for the greatest source of tumult in the nation, as many incumbents are hanging on by a thread in New England. Connecticut- Incumbent Joe Lieberman (Democrat)- Lieberman faces the biggest threat from wealthy businessman Ned Lamont in a Democratic nhl jerseys authentic primary. Lamont’s opposition to the war in Iraq and other liberal positions put him squarely against Lieberman’s more conservative positions. Connecticut is a strongly Democratic state and no major Republican candidate has stepped up to take down Lieberman, so the greatest fight in the state will be for the Democratic nomination. Lieberman will win with a significant amount of votes in the party primary in 2006, but Lamont will take liberal voters and independents away from Lieberman and give him less of a mandate within the state. 2006 Senate Projection- Lieberman will defeat Lamont 60-40% in the primary, and Lieberman will win 72% plus of the general vote. Delaware- Thomas Carper (Democrat)- Delaware’s mlb jerseys authentic small state status and its liberal leanings give Carper as much of a lock on the Senate seat in 2006 as any candidate. The Republican candidate, veteran Mike Protack, stands no chance at defeating Carper because the incumbent has been a steady leader with no controversy to speak of and a solid hold on the liberal and independent constituency in the state. 2006 Senate Projection- Carper defeats Protack 65-35% Massachusetts- Ted Kennedy (Democrat)- Ted Kennedy, in nfl jerseys authentic the Senate since 1962, will not face any sizable opposition from Republican candidate Kevin Scott and will pad his already impressive resume with yet another term in the Senate in 2006. In fact, Democrats should not put much energy at all in Kennedy’s candidacy and rather in the candidacy of the Democratic nominee for governor in a liberal state that has favored Republican executives since 1990. 2006 Senate Projection- Kennedy defeats Scott 78-22%. Maryland- Open Seat- In a tightly contested race to replace long time Senator Paul Sarbanes, the likely candidates are Democrat Representative Ben Cardin and Republican Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele. The 2006 Senate race in Maryland buy mlb jerseys will focus on who is the appropriate heir to Sarbanes’ political dominance and it will be a tight race. However, it appears that Democrat Cardin will be able to defeat Michael Steele in the general election because of his experience in Congress. New Jersey- Bob Menendez (Democrat)- Menendez, appointed buy nhl jerseys to the Senate a year ago, has some experience now in congressional politics going into the 2006 Senate election and has a strong Democratic constituency behind him. His opponent, state senator Tom Kean Jr., is a strong Republican opponent who is moderate enough wholesale nfl jerseys to win in a state like New Jersey that is traditionally Democratic. However, Menendez is a polished state politician and a strong Senate candidate in his own right and he will maintain his seat though Kean Jr. will give the Republicans some hope for organization in 2008. 