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Shulman's platform seems to be within conventional Democratic bounds for 2008: anti-wiretapping, pro-choice, and in favor of a "rapid and responsible withdrawal" from Iraq. He sides with big labor on trade ("I firmly oppose all NAFTA style trade deals, including Peru") and card-check legislation. On no issue does he stray noticeably from the party.

SHULMAN'S CAMPAIGN did not respond to repeated interview requests from TAS -- and, really, with the New Yorker and Time in the bag, why risk it? But I did have the opportunity to exchange e-mails with Carrie James, regional spokeswoman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

I asked the basics. Will the DCCC upgrade Shulman from "Emerging Races" to "Red to Blue," which implies a funding commitment? Why don't Democrats target a very conservative Republican right outside New York City more aggressively? How is it that Garrett survives?

James didn't answer those questions directly. She instead touted Shulman's "powerful personal story," fundraising gains and grassroots campaigning as reasons that Garrett is running "scared."

The evidence proffered was a Garrett fundraising letter citing recent GOP special-election defeats in normally very Republican districts. "For the first time in Congressman Garrett's political career, he is being held accountable for his extremist record in Congress," James wrote, in language that might rankle 2006 challenger Paul Aronsohn.

Relentless pumping of a longshot candidate with a great personal story is routine stuff in both parties. But it highlights the ironic relationship here. Had the DCCC managed this race more heavily, we'd likely see another guy in a suit taking on Garrett. But it wrote the Fifth off, opening the door to a blind rabbi psychoanalyst with expertise in the Book of Genesis.

topics:
Trade, Books, Law, Iraq, NATO