SENATE UPDATE: REPUBLICAN PRIMARY POTHOLES?
Coverage of the race for the Senate has, rightfully and unsurprisingly given the seats in play this cycle, focused on the 23 Democratic-held Senate seats being contested this fall, as opposed to the 10 Republican-held seats. With so many targets, Republicans have many opportunities to go on offense, with seemingly few places to play defense. But there are some warning signs for Republicans, and GOP leadership might remember some advice that Admiral Greer (James Earl Jones) gave Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford) in the classic Clear and Present Danger: “Watch your back, Jack.” Indeed, even if Republicans can pick up some Democratic-held seats, their chances at a Senate majority could falter if they lose a seat or two where they’re currently favored. The candidates matter Part of the Republicans’ problem is a common one in this anti-establishment era: candidate selection. Primary results have already turned one super safe seat — Indiana — into a potentially competitive one, and might affect other seats where primaries are still pending. Conservative icon William F. Buckley’s advice to Republicans was to vote for the most conservative candidate who can win. As Republicans found out two years ago, ignoring those last three words can lead to