NYT Profiles CT-05

by: Matthew Gertz

Tue May 02, 2006 at 22:59:58 PM EDT

Democrats have pinned their hopes elsewhere in the Northeast, and independent analysts say they also appear to be in the position to threaten at least five incumbents in New Hampshire, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The hope of Democrats is that the Northeast will provide a substantial number of the overall victories they will need nationally to claim a majority.

The race in Connecticut's Fifth District typifies many of the dynamics shaping the competitive races elsewhere. Ms. Johnson is a fixture in local politics who has managed to survive, election after election, despite the fact that Democrats outnumber Republicans here. But Democrats see her ties to a Republican majority in Congress as a potential vulnerability.

For instance, Mr. Murphy has tried to exploit Ms. Johnson's role as one of the chief architects of the new Medicare prescription drug program. Supporters say that the program will bring the skyrocketing cost of drugs under control for older Americans. But critics say the program has done more to help insurance and drug companies than to help older Americans.

With a huge warchest and probably the most Republican-leaning district in the state, Nancy Johnson will be a tough nut to crack. This race isn't as much of a toss-up as the 4th or 2nd, but it's starting to heat up and getting a lot more attention than it did last cycle.

Looks like Rahm Emmanuel has decided that we need to expand the field, and Connecticut races are going to benefit from the DCCC's efforts in a big way. Put that together with a great group of candidates and incredibly poor numbers for Bush and the war, and we've got three pickup opportunities this fall.