Biden Out West

VP Biden hits the campaign trail for four more vulnerable House Democrats today, continuing his role as the administration's political point man.

In Phoenix, Biden will host a fundraiser for Reps. Harry Mitchell (D) and Ann Kirkpatrick (D). Later, he will attend events for Reps. Harry Teague (D) and Martin Heinrich (D) in Albuquerque. The events come a day after Biden raised money for Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) in Las Vegas. All five could face strong challenges in 2010.

While Pres. Obama has raised money at big events for party committees and for Sens. Harry Reid (D-NV), Arlen Specter (D-PA) and Chris Dodd (D-CT), it has been the veep who's done most of the heavy lifting for House members. Biden has campaigned for 26 members of Congress so far this year, according to a White House tally, and the DCCC's records have him raising well over $1.5m for their Frontline members.

History stands against an incumbent president during his first midterm, and Biden has been open about what the contests mean for the administration. At a Sept. fundraiser for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), Biden said GOPers taking back Congress would amount to "the end of the road for what Barack and I are trying to do."

But the Obama admin. isn't making it easier for Frontline Dems. Whether it's the stimulus package, cap and trade or last weekend's health care reform bill, each member has something on their resume the NRCC will use.

And those five districts could give a good indication of whether the Obama agenda will survive the '10 midterms. Four of the five voted for health care reform (Only Teague voted no), while all five voted for the stimulus measure. Mitchell and Kirkpatrick voted against cap and trade legislation.

Four of the five already face big-time opponents. Mitchell, who won a second term by a ten-point margin, will face one of three well-funded GOPers running in a primary. Teague faces ex-Rep. Steve Pearce (R), who gave up his seat in '08 to run for Senate. Heinrich faces a top recruit in ex-Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce President Jon Barela (R). And Titus faces a strong challenge from ex-state Sen. Joe Heck (R), a well-regarded candidate many thought would make a good opponent for Reid.

Only Kirkpatrick has yet to attract a top-tier opponent. Ex-state Sen. Maj. Leader Rusty Bowers, now the head of gov't relations for the AZ Rock Products Assn, and a local atty are both competing to take her on next year.

(REID WILSON)