VETERAN DEPTH ON THE BENCH:

2006 GOP sweep victims plot return (ALEX ISENSTADT | 1/14/10, Politico)

Four years after getting swept out of office by a Democratic tide, nearly one-third of the 21 GOP House members who lost reelection bids in 2006 are plotting their 2010 comebacks.

Some of them are running for their old seats. Others are looking at higher office. The common denominator is that the current environment has spurred them to re-enter the political fray after their careers were abruptly cut short.

“Every politician wants to run during a high tide for his or her party. Republicans have reason to believe that 2010 will be a high tide for them, certainly compared to the disastrous low tides in 2006 and 2008,” said Larry Sabato, a University of Virginia political scientist.