FL-22: Klein Breathing Easier?

One Democrat who had to be excited about seeing the NRCC hit list was Ron Klein. Despite just being a sophomore in the House and having an opponent who is well-liked among conservative activists, Klein isn't among the 40 targeted Democrats. That is probably a very sign that the GOP doesn't want to waste too much real money in a Southeast Florida district.

That doesn't mean Klein has nothing to worry about. Tea Party darling Allen West has been raising moula and publicity over the past few years. He is the type of black conservative that Republicans go all Alan Keyes about. He hates affirmative action and our current Commander-in-Chief, and hey, why wouldn't a minority who climbed the ranks in the military feel that way, right? An internal poll released in April showed West with a slight lead in Klein, but no independent poll has replicated those results.

But Klein is well-respected here. He just picked up the endorsement of the Palm Beach Post, and the paper sided against West in the GOP primary in favor of a less extreme candidate destined to lose. And voters here know of Klein's commitment to his constituency and his ambitious nature. He rose to leadership roles in the state Senate and has always been well-respected among party leadership. That means something in the House, and the older voters in this district have a respect for that.