A banner year for Republicans

As much as I hate to admit it, it is shaping up to be a good year for Republicans on the national scene. After suffering staggering defeats in 2008, when they lost both the White House and saw Democrats solidify their hold on Congress, they appear to be poised to shrink the Democrats' majority, or at the very least, cost them their filibuster-proof majority.
Of all the races being contested across the nation this year, one of the more hotly contested and closely watched is the race between newly crowned Republican candidate Stephen Fincher and longtime Democratic state legislator Roy Herron. Fincher is a charismatic, gospel-singing farmer from Frog Jump near Maury City, and the "chosen one" for the national Republicans. He is the prototype candidate for the GOP in 2010, the type of candidate Republicans think they can make real gains with. Herron is a veteran state legislator who has spent 22 years in Nashville. He is an accomplished, erudite man who graduated from Vanderbilt. So who has the advantage in the all-important 8th District?
That's a tough call. Republicans are in the best position in years to take that seat, which has been held by Democrats for literally generations. John Tanner, the incumbent, is retiring after 22 years in Washington. Tanner's predecessor, Ed Jones (for whom the federal building in downtown Jackson is named, coincidentally), held that seat for 22 years as well. All that to say that this a traditionally Democratic seat in a district that is trending increasingly Republican.
Fincher is a political newcomer, no match for Herron's years of political experience. But don't underestimate Fincher. Newcomer or not, he has energized the Republican base like few candidates have in recent years, or ever. He has proven to be a quick study. He has raised a ton of money and has the backing of the national GOP establishment. If he has one weakness going into the general election in November, it's that he just emerged from a bruising primary campaign that saw him have to spend a good portion of his resources just to become "the man." His party has spent months ripping itself apart from the inside as candidates jockeyed to be perceived as the most conservative. Can they now unite behind Fincher and beat Herron, who has had months to raise money and hone his message to voters?
Herron's experience edge is perhaps his greatest asset. He not only knows how government works, but he is a veteran campaigner. He has managed to be elected consistently as a Democrat in a very conservative district.
That being said, his record in Nashville could be his Achille's heel. He was one of those Democrats who survived the purge after supporting a state income tax in a virulently anti-tax state. While he hardly is a "Barney Frank" style liberal, he is a thoughtful man and a tad more liberal than many of his constitutents. Can he keep his winning streak going and become our next Congressman for the 8th District? I hope so.
For my money, Herron is the best man for this position, and not because he's a Democrat. He's the best man for the job because of his experience edge. He could hit the ground running from day one with little or no learning curve. He's the best man for the job because he's educated and he's thoughtful. He's not likely to be swayed by strictly emotional arguments or partisan reasons. He'll look at all sides of an issue and make the best decision possible based on the evidence. And he's the best man for the job because he has shown a great ability to reach across the aisle and work with the other party, something Fincher isn't as likely to do. Roy Herron for Congress in 2010? I certainly hope so.