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Independents Threaten Dems in 2010

Gubernatorial races will be 3-way tangos in half-dozen states

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 28, 2009 8:30 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Independent candidates figure to play a major role in at least six states next year, threatening Democrats in an election where they already must defend 21 of their 28 governorships. In New Jersey, for example, independent Chris Daggett is trailing well behind Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine and Republican Tom Kean, but he’s siphoning off 15% of the Democratic vote, to only 7% of the Republican one, Politico notes.

Independent bids have already been announced in Massachusetts and Rhode Island as well, and are expected in Minnesota, Maine, and Vermont. “It seems that there is some disaffection among people who would normally think of themselves as Democrats,” says one former Democrat. But a party spokesman noted that Daggett and Rhode Island’s Lincoln Chafee are ex-Republicans. “These GOP candidates are disguising themselves as independents because the Republican brand is still so toxic.”

State Treasurer Tim Cahill speaks during a news conference, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, in Boston, where he announced his candidacy for governor of Massachusetts in 2010.
State Treasurer Tim Cahill speaks during a news conference, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, in Boston, where he announced his candidacy for governor of Massachusetts in 2010.   (AP Photo/Bizuayehu Tesfaye)
Sen. Lincoln Chafee, R-RI, questions Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson, not pictured, in this file photo. Chafee is now running as an independent.
Sen. Lincoln Chafee, R-RI, questions Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson, not pictured, in this file photo. Chafee is now running as an independent.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Former U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee delivers a speech on international affairs on the campus of Brown University in Providence, RI, in this Feb. 12, 2007 file photo.
Former U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee delivers a speech on international affairs on the campus of Brown University in Providence, RI, in this Feb. 12, 2007 file photo.   (AP Photo/Stew Milne, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 12 comments
cognitivefilter
Sep 29, 2009 3:30 AM CDT
well, i'm ready for something new
Shannonals
Sep 29, 2009 2:58 AM CDT
Tuck your hood in prowlerzee, it's showing again.
reasonator
Sep 28, 2009 7:50 AM CDT
This is a typical liberal political tactic of false associations and guilt by association. In other words, they want you to believe that these independent candidates are not really independent, but are really Republicans, of course is there any reason to believe that except that Dems want you to believe it? What they are trying to do is get back some of those Dems who are polling for the independent. But it's lies and political trickery.

 
New Jersey • Vermont • Massachusetts • Maine • Minnesota • Rhode Island • independents • independent • third party candidacy • independent bid • gubernatorial races • Election 2010

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