The Republican Party had been after Rep. Dennis Moore (D-KS)--a Blue Dog who represents a mostly conservative district, R+3 by the Cook Political Report's accounting--for some time. Now, it's being reported that Moore will retire after his term ends in 2010. In an election cycle that's generally expected to favor Republicans nationwide, Moore's retirement hands an added opportunity to the GOP--an open seat in a district that was considered winnable even with a Democratic incumbent.
Nick Jordan, the
Republican who ran against Moore in 2008 and lost 56 percent to 40
percent, might fare better this time around, should he run again. The
question of 2010 will be which conservative, Democratic-held seats
Republicans can pick up. We don't know yet what candidates will emerge
from each party, but Moore's retirement will turn a target district
into even redder meat for the GOP.
UPDATE: Kansas City's PrimeBuzz has a list of GOP candidates for the seat. Jordan is in; State Sen. Jeff Colyer, State Sen. Karin Brownlee, Charlotte O'Hara, and Greg Musil are all considering it. State Rep. Kevin Yoder says he's forming an exploratory committee.
I think this will be harder than you think for the GOP. Kansas Republicans are controlled by the far right, and will nominate someone like Jordan or Klein (Moore's previous opponent) who are too far to the right for wealthy Johnson county,and minority dominated Wyandotte county. Not being a right wing fanatic has been Moore's strength since he first ran.
I think we definitely need to give Dennis Moore all of our lupins.
Democrats from around here who drive into the rest of the country with our Dennis Moore bumper stickers have gotten used to the Python crowd saying "where can I get one?" I'll miss that--maybe I should stock up.
And, while I'm here, I second wallyz's comment 100%. Moore's district also includes part of academically leftish Lawrence (my neighborhood among others).