I agree with you Howie - I like Russ, but we need someone new here.

Hrmm...

In 2012 I think so. 2010 no.

It would likely be easierwoman for a gay to win statewide as opposed to a gay man.

Agreed. Kate Brown.

That so did not post correctly, but you knew what I meant ;)

The poll is more lopsided than I was expecting so far. :D (That's a good thing.) I tend to agree with Pimp though. I don't think we'll see both Baldwin and Feingold run. It will be one or the other, but I'd gladly and fully support either of them.

So I naturally wonder, "which one's the gay guy?" I'm guessing some of you wish it was Ron Kid, but that its actually Kevin Conroy. Now I'll actually read the comments...

It's actually Baldwin, except for the "guy" bit.

I predict Feingold will not run.

I think it's ready as well. There's obviously going to be some opposition on the right. However, there's also going to be (ala the California gay marriage initiative) some opposition from Wisconsin's black population that will coming out heavily to vote for Obama. Will Baldwin underperform in Gwen Moore's district?

some opposition from Wisconsin's black population Surely not all 5 of them, though

Hmm... I just figured Wisconsin had black people because they have a black Congressman. According to wikipedia Wisconsin is only 6% black, so you're probably right. It won't be much of an issue.

Although the same wikipedia article states that California's black population is only 0.6% larger (of the state as a whole) than Wisconsin's so if black voters can make a difference in California on a gay marriage vote they can certainly make a difference in a state that is not as reliably Democratic as California.

Milwaukee, the largest city in Wisconsin (population around 600,000-650,000 people, depending on how much Census "undercounting" you're factoring in), is 38% black, and Gwen Moore's district is 33% black. It could very well make a difference in that district. Then again, I would not be able to imagine a substantial number of black voters in Milwaukee voting for Paul Ryan or another Republican along those lines, but that may just be home-area blinders based on my experiences in the area. I think they'd be more likely to just stay home if they cared that much instead of voting Republican.

Black voters will not be staying home in 2012.

I think you guys are overthinking this. Even if black voters do have a problem voting to legalize gay marriage, I haven't seen any data suggesting they have trouble voting to elect gay candidates.

Black voters will not be staying home in 2012. You're right, and I think Craverguy's right, too. I don't think otherwise solidly Democratic voters of any race would really care all that much about Tammy Baldwin's sexuality.

Barrett's out. http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/122030574.html

Good. Now we don't run the risk of sitting through yet another campaign where Barrett's only response to attack ads slamming him is a smiling, friendly face talking about himself.

With Feingold out, I'm putting my money on Baldwin.

Moore and Falk would be disastrous as general election nominees, although neither of them have a chance at winning the primary, and I doubt either of them will run. I have no idea who Kevin Conroy is, and if it comes down to Baldwin versus Kind, I'd support Kind.

Really? Kind is a compromising free-trader. Is that your thing? I guess I understand the electability thing, but the Democratic ticket in Wisconsin is going to follow the Obamaessiah to either the promised land or to wonder in the dessert. Regardless of what happens, I'd rather have Tammy on the ticket.