Spring Clearing

Campaign cmtes hate competitive SEN primaries. But while insiders love to talk about "clearing out" the family feuds, it's easier said than done. In two very different states, two would-be candidates are causing headaches these days for their parties. To wit ...

-- In NY, will news that the WH originally offered King the Irish ambass. only increase Maloney's resolve to primary Gillibrand? Israel got a personal call from Pres. Obama. King got a job offer. And all she got was a last-minute plea from VP Biden. Even so, it's hard to see how anyone could make Maloney a better offer. Given Gillibrand's low name ID and the outsized role Maloney's NYC base would play in a primary, it's the best chance Maloney would ever have to win statewide.

-- In MO, there are conflicting reports about Steelman's plans. At some point, though, she'll have to parlay her tough talk into action. Steelman has a good case to make for her electability in the fall - she's a fresh face outsider while Blunt is saddled w/DC baggage and his son's stint as gov. But, w/Danforth et al on board w/Blunt, Steelman needs to show she can assemble the money and the org. to face a well-funded Carnahan.

-- Blunt may need the primary work-out since he hasn't had a tough race since '96. Meanwhile, Gillibrand, who's only had tough contests, doesn't need a warm-up lap. But if she wants to prove she can motivate liberal Dems to turn-out in Nov., she does have to prove she can get them to back her in Sept.