New York Newsday [1] reports that Peter King seems to be getting a credible challenger; about effing time, I say.
Nassau Legis. David Denenberg (D-Merrick), who sees a different tide rising. With President Bush's plummeting popularity, exploding gas prices, and public anger over the war, Denenberg says King is beatable and will announce next Sunday at Tackapausha Park, in King's hometown, that he plans to take on the 14-year incumbent.
"He thanks God every night that Bush is our president," said Denenberg, referring to a recent King letter. "But the rest of us cry."
Denenberg's impending candidacy has surprised some because he is entering a race on which two other incumbent Democrats took a pass. And that was before King got national headlines, spearheading the fight against the Dubai port deal. It not only made King appear independent of Bush, but it allied the conservative GOP lawmaker with liberal New York Sen. Charles Schumer.
"It's surprising because it comes after King not only raised his profile nationally but in the New York market, which is always tough even for an incumbent," said Amy Walter, senior editor of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, which handicaps Congressional contests.
Denenberg, however, said a poll taken after the publicity showed that King is just as vulnerable as he was in December - when Suffolk Legis. David Bishop (D-West Babylon) took a poll showing King in jeopardy if an opponent can tie him to Bush and his policies.
"Did it give me pause? Sure," said Denenberg, "But the poll shows that on the issues, people are just not with him." Backers also say Denenberg could benefit from a strong state ticket and from the possibility that many Republicans will stay home.
Every republican in this state is beatable; the only thing standing in the way of a complete sweep is the fecklessness of the Democrats.
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