Aaron Blake, writing in The Hill,  lists “Ten Campaign Themes to Watch” in this big mid-term election here. Here they are:

1. How real is the tea party effect?
2. How many more Democrats head for the exits?
3. Will Republicans have the funds they need to win big?
4. Does the economy turn around?
5. How will tough votes in 2009 translate to 2010?
6. Can Republicans restore their good name?
7. What does President Obama do for the Democrats?
8. How much emphasis do the national parties put on governor’s races?
9. Will open seats ruin the NRSC’s Election Day?
10. Do Democrats face formidable primaries?

This is a fairly exhaustive list of the themes and trends that should shape the 2010 election. I would add one more: terrorism.

In 2009, the War on Terror — and the war in Afghanistan in particular — was, at best, fourth on the list of priorities in the national political dialogue (behind the economy, jobs,  and health care). With the recent terrorist attacks in Ft. Hood and Detroit, national security may again jump to the top of the list of concerns for the American people. If that happens, there will surely be consequences in November. Traditionally, voters favor Republicans on questions of national security. Will they again? And is this yet another troubling trend for the Democrats in 2010?

What are you thoughts on the campaign themes to watch this year?

Tags: 2010 election, Aaron Blake, politics, The Hill

This entry was posted on Monday, January 4th, 2010 at 11:38 am and is filed under National Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.