Things are changing in America’s political landscape. The only thing we can expect in any election these days is the unexpected, with races across the country defying expectation. Pundits and media types are predicting races based on the way things used to be, but the votes are telling another story. The case of the Nebraska senatorial race of State Senator Deb Fischer (R) and fmr. U.S. Sen. Bob Kerrey (D) is a perfect example. Fischer was seen to be an also-ran who would not get the Republican nomination, edged out by two free-spending opponents. Now Fischer is up in the polls to take the general, giving Democratic strategists cause for worry.
As few as two weeks ago, Republican state Atty. Gen. Bruning was ahead in the polls and expected to win. As recently as February, Fischer was virtually unknown, and was not considered as a real contender. This all changed with a Sarah Palin endorsement that propelled her to victory.
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Fischer ran on a clear platform. In her victory speech, Fischer said “We kept our focus on the issues. We kept our focus on the people. We’re Nebraskans.” The question is; now that Nebraska Republicans have chosen her as their candidate, will Nebraska choose her in the general election?
After Fischer’s nomination, Democrats were nearly giddy. The DSCC released a statement referred to her as “untested,” and her nomination as “accidental.” That statement was three days ago, and one has to wonder if their story will change when they see the recent polling data. In a poll released yesterday, Fischer is shown to be 18-points ahead against Kerrey. The election isn’t until November, but nobody deny that such a margin at any time would be a smackdown, especially against such an “unelectable” candidate.
Conservatives will be watching to see if she can keep the momentum to clinch the seat in November. Grassroots conservatives are a force to be reckoned with in this election cycle and they seem poised to win big.
