Can Russell beat Hoyer?
If this becomes a Lamont-Lieberman-style race, maybe. Russell has an incredible amount of name recognition in the district, nearly all of it positive, and is rumored to be a fairly wealthy man. With enough support from the blogosphere and financial backing from outside the district, Russell could run an extremely formidable race. Hoyer hasn’t had a serious challenger in over a decade, or a serious Democratic primary challenge since he was elected in 1981, so no one knows how vulnerable he is. The downside is that Russell is a poor public speaker, while Hoyer is an incredibly good one. I’ve heard both men speak in person, and there’s just no contest. However, Russell’s folksy ineloquence might appeal to voters who see Hoyer as too slick. Also, it’s important to note that even an unsuccessful primary challenge can drive a scared incumbent to the left, as we learned from the Fallon-Boswell race this cycle. I can’t guarantee a Russell victory, but I’m positive that the popular St. Mary’s C
