The list of challengers grows, and the number of campaign days dwindle as election day comes ever nearer for NH Senator John E. Sununu. As I noted in this post , David Hogberg, writing in the American Spectator in November, opined
The most vulnerable Republicans are probably Norm Coleman of Minnesota, Wayne Allard of Colorado, and John Sununu of New Hampshire.
I agreed then, and still do. Unless the NH Republicans make some serious progress in rebuilding their appeal, Sununu will suffer. Look at Jeb Bradley– he was an excellent Congressman from our district by all accounts, and yet, he got bounced out of office by a left wing loon that nobody thought could ever win.
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Like Bradley, Sununu does a respectable job for the Granite State as Senator. He’s fiscally conservative– much more than President Bush and many of his Senate colleagues, actually, and has demonstrated an independence from the administration on a number of issues– the Patriot Act, Lebanon, etc. In fact, he’s so independent at times that he really ticks me off. You would think that all this would put him in good favor with independently leaning NH-erites… Just like Bradley. And therein lies the problem. No matter how good a job he’s done, the tide is not in his favor.
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Unlike Bradley, the competition Sununu will likely face is shaping up to be comprised of several formidable potential challengers. As I wrote in this post, the number one candidate that would give him a serious run for the money is former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen, who he barely beat out for the seat he now holds.
I don’t see a climate favorable to John E. Sununu in a rematch between him and the popular former Governor Jeanne Shaheen– A Jeanne Shaheen heartily endorsed and campaigned for by John Lynch- New Hampshire’s most popular governor since Meldrim Thomson.
And Shaheen’s not the only one. Other Democrats reported to be considering a run at Sununu include Katrina Swett, wife of former congressman Dick Swett, Portsmouth Mayor Steve Marchand, and noted liberal NH businessman Gary Hirshberg, CEO of the Stonyfield Farm Yogurt Co. Each one is notable in their own right.
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And now, according to the Valley News, we can add an astonaut to the list of those thinking about a try at being Sununu’s replacement.
Former astronaut Jay Buckey, a Dartmouth Medical School professor who has recently become active in Upper Valley politics, said yesterday he is considering a Democratic bid to unseat U.S. Sen. John Sununu, R-N.H.
Click here to read the entire article about Mr. Buckey. While I don’t agree with his positions as reported, especially the global warming bunk, I think he just might be one more possible contender that might have what it takes to take out Sununu. Click here to read Liz Mair’s (GOPProgress.com) take. (A tip of the hat goes to her for this post) Oh, and just because he says he isn’t interested, I wouldn’t rule out a run by current Gov. John Lynch, either.