Republicans have been sending a lot of signals the last few weeks about battleground districts they plan to challenge in 2010.<\/p>\n
They’ve launched anti-healthcare reform ads in select districts, designed to soften up Democratic incumbents. <\/p>\n
They’ve also unveiled a list of “Young Gun” challengers recruited to pick off vulnerable Democrats.<\/p>\n
In key districts, the National Republican Congressional Committee has already lined up candidates and rolled out big fund raising operations.<\/p>\n
So far, though, not a peep about the 20th congressional district. A lot of Republicans got burned during the special election, including national GOP chairman Michael Steele.<\/p>\n
But this is a historically Republican district, which Scott Murphy from Glens Falls won on a squeaker.<\/p>\n
It’s hard to imagine the GOP will sit this one out. <\/p>\n
Murphy is already getting a solid headstart. First, there’s the obvious advantage of incumbency. By next year, he’ll be a lot better known in the district.<\/p>\n