Congressional Quarterly on NH's 2nd District

I had hoped my eyes deceived me when I read the headline of the Congressional Quarterly article last Friday:

GOP's Bass No Easy Catch for New Hampshire Democrats

Unfortunately, they did not.

[Link]

Bad fishing allegories aside, the article had a lot of good things to say about the Congressman from NH's 2nd District, though Dartmouth govy Prof. Joe Bafumi was less than complimentary.

Bafumi remarked:

In a year that looks good for Democrats, especially with problems the Bush Administration is having, the Democrats could probably pick up the seat. The last couple of races have proved [Bass] to be pretty effective though.

Bafumi's remarks notwithstanding, the article goes on to discuss Bass's popularity within the state, which is driven in no small part by his left leaning views. The article notes that Bass ranks among the top fifth of Republicans who are least loyal to Bush- which explains why a Congressman of his seniority does not chair a committee within the Republican leadership. It's obvious failings aside, Bass's Rockefeller-Republican views mesh well with the voters of NH who are routinely becoming more liberal as residents of Massachusetts flock to the state for its low tax rates.

Another key point of Bass's strength is that he represents the interests of his constituents. In turn, he has received notable campaign contributions from a wide array of sources within the state. NH interest groups ranging from companies like BAE Systems to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center have all added to the Bass coffers.

Bass maintains, however, that his appeal results from the fact that people understand he is an independent.

He said:

People know me and they know I am not in lock step with anyone in Washington. I am a Republican and proud of it and I support President Bush when I think he is right on the issues, and I don't when I think he isn't.

The philosophy is simple enough but in a state as liberal as NH independence for Bass isn't a hallmark of his character but one of necessity and expediency.

To his credit, the tactic has paid off.

According to a recent poll by the University of New Hampshire, Bass leads perennial Democratic challenger Paul Hodes 53% to 25% with 22% undecided.

A slippery catch indeed.