The Middle Ages?

Moderates have been all the rage for GOPers on the SEN side, and that theme was ramped up when FL Gov. Charlie Crist (R) jumped into the SEN contest 5/12. Quietly, House GOPers been building a stable of recruits that also boast moderate creds.

-- Since GOPers will be playing in mostly McCain CDs, it's not a large list. But in places where they are hoping to steal a Dem-leaning CD, GOPers have found moderate-sounding candidates. Despite some baggage, NY-19 recruit/Assemb. Greg Ball (R) told The Hotline that he was against the Iraq war and succeeding surge. OR-04 challenger/Springfield Mayor Sid Leiken (R), an ex-Dem, is considered strong on enviro. issues. And state Sen. John McKinney (R), who's likely to run against Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT 04), is pro-choice.

-- The GOP is making a concerted effort to recruit candidates who fit their CDs. And that's true not only on issues, but also demographics. Rep. Loretta Sanchez's (D-CA 47) CD is majority Hispanic, Vietnamese residents comprise a large minority, something Assemb. Van Tran (R) hopes will boost his prospects. And if the GOP can recruit popular ex-Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter (R) to run against Rep. Larry Kissell (D-NC 08), it'll have an African-American to run in a CD where blacks comprise 27% of the vote.

-- The cycle is young, but the GOP appears to be finding candidates who fit their CDs, something on which it has a week track record in recent years.