We may be seeing the first evidence that many moderate Democrats are tired of fighting the leftist urges of their own party, and the Republicans. In Tennessee, Democrat Bart Gordon of the 6th Congressional District has decided to not run for re-election.
McCain won this district 62%-37%, and Bush won 60%-40%. Charles Cook rates the district GOP +13, a huge edge. This is a likely pickup now for the Republicans.
Meanwhile in Hawaii, left wing congressman Neil Abercrombie is resigning his seat in order to devote his attention to a run for governor. This constitutes another opportunity for the GOP to pick up a seat in the special election, even though the district votes left. Michael Barone notes: Republican Governor Linda Lingle can call a special election and, since it was apparent that this was going to be an open seat, there are three candidates already running. Two are Democrats, former Congressman Ed Case and state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, and one is a Republican, Honolulu Councilman Charles Djou.
Under Hawaii law, the candidates would all run in the same contest and the one with the most votes wins-which might give Djou a chance in a district which Barack Obama (who was born and grew up there) carried 70%-28%.
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