Is Ike Skelton in political trouble?

Don’t panic yet, Democrats. The 2010 elections are still a year away.

But the respected, nonpartisan Cook Political Report just lowered - slightly - the chances of Rep. Ike Skelton winning re-election for the 17th straight time.

Its latest assessment of the race shifted Missouri’s 4th Congressional District from a ‘likely’ Democratic seat to one that only ‘leans’ Democratic.

‘We continue to see Skelton as the favorite, but our rating reflects the belief that this race will be much more competitive than races Skelton has had to face in the past,’ said Cook political analyst David Wasserman.

read more

(Via KansasCity.com Prime Buzz - Today's political intelligence and insight.)