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A source very close to the state’s Democratic Agricultural Commissioner told the Parlor on Friday that we will have more info “in the next few months” on a potential U.S. Senate run by Ron Sparks for the seat now held by Republican Jeff Sessions. Then, “No, in the next few weeks. You’ll have more info in the next few weeks.” Another source confirmed that “sounded right.”
From this vantage point, it looks like Sparks is in.
At the Democrats’ Jefferson-Jackson Celebration Friday night, there was an information table (space purchased by Gen. Wes Clark) with “Sparksmania!” bumper stickers and some self-proclaimed “grassroots supporters” urging support for a Sparks Senate run. Why is Clark providing resources to get Sparks in the race? “They are very close. They really like each other. 
The General would be extremely pleased to see Sparks in the race. Look. There was only one information table purchased [in the lobby at the Democrats' Jefferson-Jackson Dinner], and it was purchased by General Clark to build support for Sparks to enter the race.” (Multiple sources confirmed that Clark was committed to supporting a Sparks Senate run – personally and with at least some resources.)
The “prevailing wisdom” among state Democrats is that there is little downside to Sparks entering the race. He doesn’t have to resign his current position, he could possibly win (unlikely, but if he gets financing and the national GOP drags down the states’ candidates, he might make a race out of it), and he will raise his profile for a possible run in 2010 (say, Lt. Governor, Governor, or perhaps Shelby will retire and that Senate seat would be open). Only real downside is that he loses so badly that he gets a hard-to-shake loser label.
Edited paragraph on Clark for clarity, 11:20 a.m.
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I think he’s making a bad mistake. I believe the only way the Republican incumbents lose any of their current US Congressional and Senate seats in this state is if they fall victim to that old Edwin Edwards “dead hooker,live boy in a bed scenario”. This state is just that favorable to the GOP when it comes to Congressional elections…I even doubt if a George Allen meltdown would hurt especially next year when the Democrat nominee for Prez won’t be anywhere near this state.
I hope Comm. Sparks continues to post at Daily ’screw them’ Kos.
(spit)
If thats the only knock on him, Reactionary, then I think Sessions could be in for a close race.
It’s probably a smart move, especially considering he won’t have to resign his position as Ag. Comm. If he runs a clean campaign, he could even pull a Susan Parker and run for some other state-wide office in the future.
This is a sucker punch a la Marsha Folsom. She wants Sparks to run, knowing 2008 is a republican year and Sessions will easily win. Sparks will go into debt or mishandle campaign contributions and he will be damaged goods. Once that happens, we won’t be able to run for Governor and Folsom becomes the Democrat favorite.
In his Daily Kos diary, Comm. Sparks wrote “I’ve tried to stay away from petty “wedge issues” that only divide the people…”
A fellow Kos diarist asked “What are your views on the following subjects: Iraq, Abortion, Stem Cell Research, Gun Control (specifically the Brady Bill), Gay Marriage, Bankruptcy and Tort Reform, Healthcare and Taxation”.
Sparks (true to his word) avoided the issues. At some point, he must answer questions about these ‘petty wedge issues’ that many people on both sides find important.
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Reactionary, I saw this morning that you had comments last night that for some reason got caught up in the spam filter. I think you reworked it and got your comment in, but let me know if you want me to fish out any of your previous efforts. I am sorry that the filter snagged your comments and not sure why it did.
I thought something was wrong. First, I thought it was the beer; then, I thought it was because I included links (silly, but see #1); then, I shortened it and it worked (silly, but see #1).
Glad it works :)
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