CA: Republican Dreier may take on Boxer for California seat

[goobergunch]

By Ralph Z. Hallow
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Rep. David Dreier, the man leading California Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger's transition team, may next be tapped to try to unseat Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer next year, Republican strategists say.

Mr. Dreier's statewide visibility rose when he took the high-profile role of co-chairman of Mr. Schwarzenegger's successful campaign to replace Gov. Gray Davis.

Now, Mr. Dreier is on a short list of possible candidates to oust Mrs. Boxer, an unpopular Democrat among Senate Republicans. She was elected to the Senate in 1992 and is up for re-election next year.

Some have said that any Republican who mounts a successful campaign to keep her from a third term would be hailed as a hero in the GOP.

more...http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20031014-104147-2953r.htm

Admittedly this is the Washington Times. But this does worry me...IMHO Dreier would be a very strong candidate.

[stimbox]

1. Dreier's a total wingnut.

He doesn't stand a chance in hell to unseat Boxer.

[goobergunch]

2. I'm familiar with Dreier from the House

He is a wingnut. But he also was behind Schwartznegger's campaign, which got 48% of the vote. With Ahnold probably campaigning vigorously for him, he's probably one of the stronger potential Repuke candidates.

Side note: Ahnold's victory is definitely going to have an adverse impact to Boxer's re-election. Whether it's enough to put the seat in jeopardy is another question.

[JackSwift]

3. Arnold may be facing his own recall

in three or four months if he cannot balance the state budget, end the tripling of the auto tax and not raise taxes. Unless there is an economic miracle, Arnold is likely to be Total Recalled.

[jiacinto]

4. Boxer will beat him

Unless she finds herself in a scandal she will beat him. She will have to work hard for it but she will turn it back.

[NewJerseyDem]

5. I agree

Even thought she is arguablly the most liberal member of the US Senate I think that she can win. She is always going to have to fight for her seat because of that liberalism but I still think that she chould hold off Dreier.

I believe she has some of the highest unfavorable ratings in the country though of any senator and I think that Dreier's personality will help him a lot over Boxer if he were to run. I think we might have an oppurtunity at his house seat, where Bush got 53% in 2000, if he ran for senate. I'm always trying to be optimistic.