Scipps - Mid-South is ground zero for GOP to win seats


The influential Cook Political Report last week said the 8th District seat held by retiring U.S. Rep. John Tanner, D-Tenn., which includes northern parts of Shelby County, is a "toss up," and the First District seat held by retiring Marion Berry, D-Ark., which includes the counties just across the Mississippi River, is "leaning Republican" in November.

Political scientist Charlie Cook also sees the seat held by U.S. Rep. Travis Childers, D-Miss., which includes DeSoto and Marshall counties, a "toss- up."

Sere said the Memphis area is the only place in the country with three seats likely to turn from blue to red in the same media market.

In addition to those three Democrat seats possibly changing hands, Cook places Arkansas' 2nd Congressional District, now held by Democrat Vic Snyder, and Tennessee's 6th District, held by retiring Democrat Bart Gordon, also in the "leaning Republican" column.

Commercial Appeal
2/9/10