Another day passes and the race in NY-20 has become even less clear, with differing reports suggesting both candidates lead. The final answer lies somewhere in the 6,000 absentee ballots—but conservatives worry that due to the timing of their mailing, some military voters might end up disenfranchised. The one thing about the election that is clear: Republicans spent more—but not much more—on advertising. And as we’re waiting for the dust on this special election to settle, might we get one more? The leader of Alaska’s Republican Party wants one—now that charges against former Sen. Ted Stevens have been dropped—and is calling for Sen. Mark Begich to resign. Sarah Palin approves. Michael Steele is still under fire as conservatives are demanding the RNC chair call a meeting to focus criticism on the stimulus and it supporters, including the three Republicans who voted for it. Steele just wants to focus on Dems. Newt Gingrich, meanwhile, is mentioning the possibility of conservatives pulling off into their own third party. Obama’s pick to head the census department, University of Michigan sociology professor Robert Graves, is stirring controversy thanks to his expertise in “sampling.” The rest of today’s news is filled with 2010 Senate maneuvering.
In Connecticut: Democrats still stand behind Chris Dodd, who says he will run. The DSCC has put out a web ad on his behalf attacking recently announced Republican candidate former Rep. Rob Simmons. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal says he’ll wait till 2012 to run against Joe Lieberman. In Florida: Republicans are willing to stand aside to let Gov. Charlie Crist run. In Hawai’i: Former Rep. Ed Case is running again (this time in an open seat race) despite running afoul of Democratic Party leadership. In Indiana: Some see shades of an alliance between Evan Bayh and Republicans.