Reply #6: Actually it is almost a given that a dem or indy who

[cali]

caucuses with dems willbeat a repuke in VT in a run for Congress. And the electorate here is very different from the electorate in TN, and even in MD. Martha Rainville, at the onset of the campaign, was better known than Welch. She was the Adjutant General of the VT National Guard, and virtually everywhere as the state comforter in chief over the last 3 years. Leahy tried to recruit her for the dems. She's pro-choice, pro-environment and wants to fire Rumsfeld. I wouldn't vote for her for anything; she's run a sleazy and amateurish campaign. In any case, Welch is an outstanding candidate, a truly great guy. He's 10 points up in all the polls, and when it comes down to it, no matter how much Vermonters want to send a moderate, attractive woman candidate to D.C., they simply won't vote for someone who will caucus with the pukes. Martha's toast. (But I'll still be going door to door and handing out campaign lit up until the election).