Republicans are licking their chops, hoping to win the governor's race in overwhelmingly Democratic Maryland. The Republican candidate, Robert Ehrlich, has made inroads with black voters by nominating an African American running mate, while the state's poor economy is affecting Democrat Kathleen Kennedy Townsend.

It's early in the race, and it's hard to see how Townsend can lose this race. But it confirms that nothing can be taken for granted this election cycle. There will be more competitive races nationwide than most election observers predicted.