Well, with the news that Josh Romney is a coward (no surprise there, most rich kids are), Jim Matheson seems poised to win the 2008 2nd Congressional District race months before the election.
From today’s Tribune:
Former Republican U.S. Rep. Merrill Cook plans to take on Democratic incumbent Jim Matheson for Utah’s 2nd Congressional District seat.
Well, that about sums it up, doesn’t it? Well ,let’s take a two way dig, eh?
Cook announced his candidacy Sunday, one day after Republican Josh Romney, middle son of Mitt Romney, said he would not seek the seat this term.
Bawk, bawk, bawk.
Cook said low congressional approval ratings may kill the advantage for Matheson, a four-term incumbent.
“[Matheson] dances between both sides to make himself look acceptable to everybody, but . . . on the tax-illegal-immigration-Iraq issues, he doesn’t really stand up for what people from St. George all the way up to Salt Lake County are standing for,” Cook said Sunday.
While Cook may have a point, he’s still Merrill Cook, you know. And even though I kinda like Merrill … well, reality and all that comes into play. Such As:
He [Cook] conceded his checkered past with his own party may present challenges.
Jim Matheson is at heart a Republican Bushbot and Merrill Cook is an independent who cared about his constituents when he was in office. Maybe they should swap parties.
Having Cook run bring us one good thing: We’ll have lots to make fun of this election season!
I did a little tally and since Cook started running for political offices in 1984, his record is 2-9 or a winning percentage of 18.2%…and I rounded up. The only even numbered year that Cook did not run for something since 1984 was 2002, the most Republican year since 1984, and Jim Matheson won his reelection by 1,600 votes.
This year, Jim will have more money and is more well liked across the state by far than he was in 2002. Oh and 2008 looks to be another Democratic year.
So your analysis is pretty spot on. I think Jim must have read that story and laughed hard.