GOP tries to manipulate the Vermont senate race

This is priceless. Republicans are desperate to manipulate the open-seat 2006 Vermont Senate race. They are trying to embarrass the national Democratic leadership into putting a candidate into the race against Independent Rep. Bernie Sanders, who votes with Democrats and is by far the strongest candidate. Why would the GOP want a serious Democrat in the race? Because it could split the vote and throw the race to the Republicans.

David Sirota says:

The National Review is the latest place where this attempted manipulation is taking place. Their columnist asks "Isn't it at least a little bit embarrassing for DNC chair Howard Dean that he can't get an official Democrat to run for the Senate in his home state?" No, actually, it's not. In fact, it's on purpose, as Sanders and Dean have been colleagues for years. Polls show that Sanders is the most popular politician in Vermont. He has been a longtime thorn in the GOP's side both at home and nationally. This kind of rhetoric from the GOP is nothing more than a transparent Karl Rove-esque ploy - and the national Democrats aren't having any of it. Already, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Democratic Senate campaign chairman Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) have indicated that Sanders is their candidate. And I'm betting Vermonters aren't going to like Republicans trying to manipulate their elections.