Ten Races Where Romney/Ryan Could Sink GOP Candidates

With Mitt Romney's flailing campaign and the growing toxicity of Paul Ryan with senior citizens focused on Medicare, the Romney/Ryan ticket is becoming a severe drag on other races and may, indeed, push the GOP candidate to defeat.  Of course, the breath taking extremism of the GOP Party Platform isn't exactly helping a number of these candidates either. Capitol Confidential looks at 10 congressional races where Romney/Ryan may prove to be the kiss of death.  One involves George Allen's quest to regain his lost U.S. Senate seat here in Virginia where Allen is being pummeled for his allegiance to elements of the  GOP platform that includes support for a personhood law that would outlaw abortion and some forms of contraception.  Here are some article highlights:

Mitt Romney’s campaign woes have taken a toll on Republican candidates in Democratic-leaning or swing states.  Polls show that some Republicans who had been running ahead of Democratic opponents have now slipped into tight contests, while others who had been surging around Labor Day have now dropped behind.

The impact of Romney’s struggles is not as evident in heavily Republican states, where President Obama appears to have little or no coattails.  Here are ten elections where Obama’s strength — or Romney’s weakness — could sink Republican nominees:

*** Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown

The freshman Republican shocked the Democratic establishment by winning a 2010 special election for the Senate seat long held by Ted Kennedy, but now he’s suffering from anti-Romney backlash in Mitt’s home state. The GOP presidential candidate, a former Massachusetts governor, is trailing in Bay State polls by as many as 33 percentage points.

*** Connecticut Senate candidate Linda McMahon

Just when Republican Senate candidate Linda McMahon was surging, Mitt Romney’s “47 percent” controversy came along. The former wrestling CEO, who has run a disciplined and well-organized campaign, saw a short-lived lead over Democrat Chris Murphy turn into a small but significant deficit over the past three weeks.

*** Rhode Island House challenger Brendan Doherty

Freshman Democrat David Cicilline is in trouble not because of anything he’s done in Washington, but because of the mess he left behind in Providence. Cicilline, the city’s former mayor, said two years ago that he was leaving the city in excellent condition.. . . . . Cicilline is trying to tie Doherty to the Romney-Ryan agenda, prompting Doherty to tell the Associated Press: ‘‘I am not a part of any radical position. I’m running as Brendan Doherty. I’m my own man.’’ Doherty could be the right candidate in the wrong year.

 *** California Rep. Dan Lungren . . . . .  

the tide has turned and California Republicans are playing defense in a state where President Obama could win by 20 percentage points. Lungren and San Diego Republican congressman Brian Bilbray are the incumbents most likely to be swept away if Romney doesn’t close the gap.

*** Illinois Rep. Bob Dold

Tea Party freshman Bob Dold holds the distinction of representing the most Democratic congressional district currently in Republican hands. Add to that the fact that Illinois is President Obama’s home state and he’s going to win biiiiiiiiiiig there. . . . .Romney’s performance could well determine Dold’s future.

*** Washington state gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna

The state of Washington is the most Democratic in the nation when it comes to its governorship. No Republican has been elected governor here since 1980. At the outset of this year’s campaign, GOP Attorney General Rob McKenna has a good chance of making history. Recent polls show the race a dead heat and McKenna, a Texas native, leads among independents. But the Democratic tide could help former congressman Jay Inslee keep the Democratic streak alive.

*** Virginia Senate candidate George Allen

Until Romney’s September woes, the Virginia Senate race was the nation’s closest. But recent polls show Democrat Tim Kaine moving ahead of Republican George Allen in a battle of popular former governors. Kaine’s lead mirrors Obama’s — and there are not many Virginians who will split their tickets.

*** Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick

Democrats are working overtime to tie Republican congressman Mike Fitzpatrick to Romney. They are calling the incumbent “mini-Mitt” and “Mike FitzRomney” after he told a Tea Party group that Congress needs people who “sign the front of a paycheck, not the back of the paycheck.” 

*** New York House challenger Chris Collins

Democrat Kathy Hochul won a dramatic upset in a 2011 special election for a western New York House seat surrendered by Republican Chris Lee, whose shirtless photo made him one of the Empire State’s laughingstock lawmakers. (Think Anthony Weiner.) Republicans have a 40,000 voter edge in registration here . . . . With Obama favored to win New York by 20 percentage points or more, Collins could come up short.

*** Arizona Senate candidate Jeff Flake

The tough immigration enforcement law that won the state national admirers and detractors has had one unintended effect: It has strongly motivated Latinos and Democrats to come to the polls in 2012. The result is closer-than-anticipated races both for president and Senate in Arizona. While Romney seems likely to hang on, the prognosis is more iffy for Rep. Jeff Flake . . . . If the bottom falls out on the GOP presidential candidate, however, Carmona could be one of the surprise winners on Nov. 6.

Yes, Romney is a poor candidate pushing a horrible agenda of greed, selfishness, anti-minority, anti-woman and anti-gay extremism.  But, if the bottom falls out for Romney, the real fault will lie with the GOP base which has made it almost impossible for a rational candidate to win the party nomination.