PrintMarch 17, 2010
Moveon's empty threat
An obvious comment on the far left's threat to run primary opponents against any Democrat who votes No on ObamaCare state anywhere: The time for that threat passed months ago. Illinois and Texas have already held their primaries and the filing deadlines have closed in thirteen other states, including California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina and Indiana. The deadline is less than a month away in ten more states, including New Jersey, Missouri, Virginia and Tennessee. That means a huge block of Democrats in Congress are immune to such threats for this election cycle. There may still be time for Moveon to get a third party candidate on the ballot for the general election in these states, but in a close race that will practically guarantee a Republican takeover of the seat in November.
Certainly some Blue Dogs already have primary opposition that Moveon could fund, but the quality of these candidates may be very much in question. I don't think Heath Shuler, who is sitting on a $1.2 million plus war chest, has much to fear in the recent transplant from New Orleans who filed against him on the grounds that it is a Congressman's job to bring more pork back to his District.
