We Might Have Ourselves a Race

Reports in Iowa are mentioning a possible anonymous big name Democratic challenger to Republican Senator Chuck Grassley. Beltway speculation centers on Rep. Bruce Braley(D-IA-1). Braley already has turning a Republican seat into a Democratic one but this time he would he would have to beat an incumbent.

I think it would be hard for Braley to defeat Grassley. Grassley is a longtime and popular incumbent, and 2010 looks like it will be a year that leans toward the GOP. However, Grassley's actions during the health care debate deserve a moment of accountability. A serious challenge to Grassley might not lead to 2 Democratic Senators from Iowa but it would force Grassley to face accountability for his role in the health care debate, and democracy is about forcing political leaders to be accountable and not getting a free ride for their actions.