The Left-Hand Column

In an attempt to keep this blog useful beyond solely linking to news stories regarding the 2008 Senate races, I am also trying to add items and links to the left-hand column that are interesting and germane. Today, I added a section: "Republican Incumbent Primary Challengers." It currently lists Canyon County Commissioner Robert Vasquez running in Idaho, where incumbent Republican Larry Craig has yet to announce his 2008 plans, and 1998 Oregon-GOP Gubernatorial Nominee Bill Sizemore, who has been hinting at the possibility of a primary challenge to Gordon Smith. I will update this section as I hear chatter about possible primary challenges to GOP incumbents. The more Pat Toomeys and Steve Laffeys there are, the thinner-spread GOP resources will be.

Also, particularly for those of you who maintain your own blogs, I keep in the left-hand column a few "counters" that keep track of salient statistics. Check out this site for a counter you can add to your blog or website keeping track of American military deaths in Iraq. Visit this site for a counter noting the cost of Bush's Iraq War. Finally, this site offers a countdown clock keeping track of days remaining in Bush's term of office. Most importantly, remember that these aren't just numbers. These are Americans' lives cut short and American resources that could be better spent educating, healing, building, and otherwise improving America.

If there are other links, tools, counters, bells or whistles that you think would be worth adding to this blog, don't be shy about sharing your ideas. I've appreciated your input thus far, and I look forward to even more as we continue toward Election Day 2008.