The Kentucky Democrat

I'm watching the IN-8 debate with John Hostettler and Brad Ellsworth on C-SPAN. I'm pulling for Sheriff Brad Ellsworth in that race. Ellsworth is looking very good in this race, debate-wise, and in the polls. The seats in Indiana are crucial to a DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY in 2007.

Senator Obama is gonna be helping out the Missouri Democrats and Senate candidate Claire McCaskill in Kansas City.

The Forward has a good editorial on the leadership follies in the House.

Senator Evan Bayh will spend some of October campaigning in his home state of Indiana.

Yep, Ron Lewis has cancelled a fundraiser with Dennis Hastert. That frees up a date to debate with Mike Weaver.

Is safe an understatement? Ask 55 incumbents.

Democratic Rep. Ben Chandler, who represents Kentucky’s 6th District, finds himself unchallenged by the Republicans less than three years after he won a special election to succeed Republican Ernie Fletcher — who had defeated Chandler in the November 2003 race for governor. Chandler’s effortless House campaign this year could come in handy in 2007, when he is seen as likely to pursue another bid for governor.

The following members will likely be re-elected to the House.

House Democrats (45)
• Robert E. “Bud” Cramer, Ala. (5)
• Artur Davis, Ala. (7)
• George Miller, Calif. (7)
• Jim Costa, Calif. (20)
• Xavier Becerra, Calif. (31)
• Hilda L. Solis, Calif. (32)
• Diane Watson, Calif. (33)
• Maxine Waters, Calif. (35)
• Juanita Millender-McDonald, Calif. (37)
• Diana DeGette, Colo. (1)
• Allen Boyd, Fla. (2)
• Corrine Brown, Fla. (3)
• Kendrick Meek, Fla. (17)
• Robert Wexler, Fla. (19)
• Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Fla. (20)
• Alcee Hastings, Fla. (23)
• John Lewis, D-Ga. (5)
• Jerry Costello, Ill. (12)
• Ben Chandler, Ky. (6)
• Steny H. Hoyer, Md. (5)
• Elijah E. Cummings, Md. (7)
• John W. Olver, Mass. (1)
• Richard E. Neal, Mass. (2)
• Jim McGovern, Mass. (3)
• Barney Frank, Mass. (4)
• Martin T. Meehan, Mass. (5)
• Edward J. Markey, Mass. (7)
• Michael E. Capuano, Mass. (8)
• Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, Mich. (13)
• John D. Dingell, Mich. (15)
• Robert E. Andrews, N.J. (1)
• Donald M. Payne, N.J. (10)
• Gary L. Ackerman, N.Y. (5)
• Gregory W. Meeks, N.Y. (6)
• Anthony Weiner, N.Y. (9)
• Maurice D. Hinchey, N.Y. (22)
• G.K. Butterfield, N.C. (1)
• Robert A. Brady, Pa. (1)
• Mike Doyle, Pa. (14)
• Jim Langevin, R.I. (2)
• Al Green, Tex. (9)
• Silvestre Reyes, Tex. (16)
• Charlie Gonzalez, Tex. (20)
• Henry Cuellar, Tex. (28)*
• Robert C. Scott, Va. (3)

House Republicans (10)
• Spencer Bachus, Ala. (6)
• Jeff Flake, Ariz. (6)
• Gary G. Miller, Calif. (42)
• Adam Putnam, Fla. (12)
• Richard H. Baker, La. (6)
• Charles W. “Chip” Pickering Jr., Miss. (3)
• K. Michael Conaway, Tex. (11)
• J. Randy Forbes, Va. (4)
• Robert W. Goodlatte, Va. (6)
• Tom Petri, Wis. (6)

Ken Lucas amended some previous remarks and is calling on Hastert to step down.