From The New York Times, 5/15/08:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/15/us/politics/15repubs.html?_r=3&partner=MYWAY&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Republican Election Losses Stir Fall Fears
By ADAM NAGOURNEY and CARL HULSE
WASHINGTON —
The Republican defeat in a special Congressional contest in
Mississippi sent waves of apprehension across an already troubled
party Wednesday, with some senior Republicans urging Congressional
candidates to distance themselves from President Bush to head off what
could be heavy losses in the fall.
The victory by Travis Childers, a conservative Democrat elected in a
once-steadfast Republican district on Tuesday, was the third defeat of
a Republican in a special Congressional race this year.
In addition to foreshadowing more losses for the party in November,
the outcome appeared to call into question the belief that Senator
Barack Obama of Illinois could be a heavy liability for his party’s
down-ticket candidates in conservative regions.
Republicans had sought to link Mr. Childers to Mr. Obama in an
advertising campaign there. Republican leaders said they were looking
to Senator John McCain of Arizona, the likely Republican nominee, as a
model whose independent reputation appears to allow him to rise above
party in a year when the Republican label seems tarnished.
But Mr. McCain’s advisers said the Mississippi race underlined his
intention to distance himself as much as possible from Congressional
Republicans.
Mr. McCain has already been openly critical of some of President
Bush’s strategies.
The level of distress was evident in remarks by senior party officials
throughout the day.
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A whole lota Repug shakin' goin' on
Harry
