FASCINATING – AT 10:16 A.M. ET:  Barbara Boxer, running for reelection in California, may face a bit of bother, as the Capital Hill blog reports:

Mickey Kaus, neoliberal blogger at kausfiles, will take on Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., in the Democratic primary, according to LA Weekly. Kaus is a strong supporter of national health care, though he harshly criticized the White House "cost control" marketing strategy. However, he is a harsh critic of labor unions, a skeptic of affirmative action and an opponent of amnesty for illegal immigrants. Kaus is known for his honesty about the motivations of his allies, his opponents and himself. He’s also the pre-eminent user of exclamation points that are simultaneously ironic and nonironic. Kaus will have a hard time taking on Boxer and her union allies. But her poll numbers aren’t that hot. He might have a chance!

If he proves more than an irritant to Boxer, and forces her to emphasize her left-liberal viewpoints, Kaus could damage Boxer’s prospects in the general election.

COMMENT:  It's about time Boxer, whose brain is rarely bothered by facts or subtety, had some real competition.  She thinks she has a lifetime job.

March 2, 2010