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Monday, May 16, 2005

The politics of closing military bases

David Lightman of the Hartford Courant has an interesting piece on the military base closings and the effect the closings could have on the elections in 2006.

Democrats now have something to complain loudly about. "They can point to the Republican Congress and White House and hold them responsible for losing jobs," said Stuart Rothenberg, a Washington political analyst.

Some of the most vulnerable GOP incumbents are in the Northeastern states and found themselves in fresh fights to save major installations in their states or districts.

Rep. Rob Simmons, R-2nd District, already a key Democratic target because he represents a district that leans to the Democratic side, headed Friday's list. The list also included Sens. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, and Rick Santorum, R-Pa.

Closing of the military base in Groton will not be good for Simmons and Lightman is right when he says that the 2nd district of Connecticut is a seat the democrats think they can pick up next fall.

posted by ctblogger @ 5:18 PM