Voice of San Diego: Dems Make Pitch in Reagan Country

National Democratic leaders appear to be intently eyeing the congressional seat vacated by former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, sending the signal that the Republican's corruption scandal could weaken GOP control of what has long been considered a conservative stronghold.

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A Busby victory would no doubt be hailed as a positive harbinger for Democrats nationwide as they seek to overturn Republican's control of Congress in the 2006 elections. It would help to stoke campaign efforts ahead of the fall congressional elections when all House seats, including the 50th again, will be voted on.

The raw numbers, however, suggest that only under exceptional circumstances would a Democrat ever be able to win the district, said Gary Jacobson, a political science professor at the University of California, San Diego who follows national congressional races.


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