The budget fight has been good for the Tea Party

If we are to believe popular punditry the House conservatives have done irreparable harm to the Republican brand. There may be some truth in that but a quick look at a few polls finds that they sure haven't hurt the Tea Party brand in red states. Firebrand Congressman Joe Cotton of Arkansas trails Senator Mark Pryor by 3 points 45% to 42 %. Considering that Cotton has never run for statewide office and lacks name recognition in much of the state I like his chances against an incumbent who can't get to 50% in the polls.

Bill Cassidy, a physician and professor of medicine at LSU has been at the front of the fight to defund Obamacare. Even with the bad hair he trails Senator Mary Landrieu by 2-46% to 44%. Like Cotton he has never run for statewide office and suffer the same lack of name recognition.

Looking at a conventional Republic whose has stood with her party, Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia leads her opponent, Natalie Tennant 51 % to 34 %. I like her chances.

Tomorrow in a special election so special it had to be held on Wednesday Republican unknown Steve Lonegan may well surprise many by running a close race in deep blue New Jersey against Cory Booker who has been almost a daily fixture on MSNBC's Morning Joe. Who campaigned for Lonegan? Sarah Palin and Mark Levin.