Deep south

Senator Mark Pryor has been picked to head the Democrat's southern strategy for the 2006 campaign. I'll try and look into Pryor more in the future. So far, though, I'd say that any strategy is better than nothing:

The Arkansan said he would encourage Democratic candidates to express a comfort with faith and values.

"Southern voters, because we're in the Bible Belt, are very interested in values," he said.

"Sometimes Democrats are uncomfortable with the language of faith and values," he said. "They need to be open about their faith and values and how those faith and values translate into policy."

Pryor predicted there would be two open Senate seats in the South in 2006, with Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., saying he would not seek reelection and widespread speculation that Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas., will run for Texas governor.

"It looks like a time we can make some gains in the South possibly," he said.

More to come.