Running Scared: NRCC Can’t Seem To Find Challengers For Edwards

“Dragon Lady” Arlene Wolgemuth couldn’t do it, and Van Taylor didn’t even come close. But, the new chair of the National Republican seems to think he can somehow find a challenger to defeat Congressman Chet Edwards (D-Waco).

The most entertaining thing about that, however, is that the NRCC is depending upon Edwards to make himself less palatable to the conservative voters in Congressional District 17 rather than actually finding a stellar GOP candidate:

Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., conceded that Rep. Chet Edwards of Waco, who has survived repeated GOP efforts to oust him, is “a tough guy” and added that, “Right now, we don’t have a strong challenger.”

He said he thinks that, by voting for Democratic spending and other measures, Mr. Edwards will over time “create the issues” that would help an opponent in the 17th District. The area includes President Bush’s Crawford ranch, and voters there favored Mr. Bush in 2000 and 2004.

There are reasons for this. First and foremost, the GOP hasn’t a snowball’s chance in Hell of taking Edwards unless he were to suddenly develop a heretofore unseen ultra-liberal voting record. That they are going to try and attack him for voting for Democratic spending is so bogus it isn’t even funny. The voters in CD 17 have shown time and again that they like Chet Edwards’ style and quality of representation–and what he brings home for the district.

In addition, it’s a fool’s errand. If Van “Exxon” Taylor couldn’t defeat Edwards with his smarmy attacks and considerable personal fortune, and Arlene Wolgemuth couldn’t do it in a presidential election year with the full force of the Republican Party behind her, it’s doubtful that any Republicans would even look seriously at the seat.

In fact, the only possible CD 17 Republican who could win the race is probably President George W. Bush–and he isn’t available until after 2009. Oh, and, it’s highly unlikely he’d run unless he decides he wants to mimic John Quincy Adams.

Of course, Cole also is misguided enough to think Republicans can re-take the 23rd, too:

Asked about GOP chances in the San Antonio-area 23rd District, Mr. Cole said “that’s a place we’re certainly watching.” But he said the GOP doesn’t yet have a candidate to oppose Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, D-San Antonio.

That’s really, really, really entertaining, especially given that there are already candidates seemingly coming out of the woodwork to challenge Ciro Rodriguez. Evidently, however, none of those pass NRCC muster.