Carmona/Flake race goes national

by David Safier

Arizona's Senate race is only a national story if it's close, and it becomes the kind of story reporters love when it's a "man bites dog" "Democrat looks like he might knock off a Republican in Arizona" story.

• Politico: Arizona Senate race 2012: Richard Carmona raises $2.2 million. ("The new fundraising figures came on the same day a Public Policy Polling survey showed Carmona leading Flake 45 percent to 43 percent.")
• Politico's Senate Five: Under the national "Who Won the Day" heading, the answer was Carmona on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday this week.
• Huffpost Pollster: 2012 Senate Election Polls Show Republicans Continue To Face Uphill Battle. ("In Arizona, former U.S. Surgeon Gen. Richard Carmona (D) has closed with gap with Rep. Jeff Flake (R) in the polls . . . We are moving the rating for this race from 'lean Republican' to 'tossup.'")
• Wall Street Journal: Arizona's Flake Out. ("According to the poll, Republican Congressman Jeff Flake trails Democrat Rich Carmona by two points. Mr. Flake led the Democrat by 13 points in May.") 
• Washington Post: National Democrats increasing their investment in Arizona Senate race with ad buy. ("National Democrats are boosting their investment in Arizona’s Senate race to replace retiring Sen. Jon Kyl, another sign that the race between Republican Jeff Flake and Democrat Richard Carmona is competitive.")
• The Economist: The Senate — Not so flippable. ("In Arizona the Democrats are fielding a strong candidate in Richard Carmona, a decorated veteran, Latino and former surgeon-general under George W. Bush. His opponent is Jeff Flake, a deficit hawk who has cast votes against lots of popular programmes.")

No wonder Flake agreed to three debates after saying he'd only do a half hour television forum with Carmona. Flake is fading, and he knows it.