Shipp: Democratic strategists facing struggle to stop Ralph Reed. Taylor is asked to switch races from Gov. to Lt. Gov.

Bill Shipp reports that a group of Democrats are pleading with Taylor to seek a third term as lieutenant governor. These folks are determined to stop Ralph Reed before he gains the first rung of power in elective politics.

Shipp notes that a growing perception that Cathy Cox has momentum in the governor's race is not helping Taylor's fund-raising activities. This notwithstanding, Taylor's brain trust thinks Taylor can corner the black vote and some rural whites plus a bloc of disillusioned teachers to win the nomination.

The above does not surprise me. What does surprise me is Shipp's noting that -- at this early time in the process -- Taylor seriously considered switching races. Not to put words into the Dean's mouth, his column notes the following:

"The opportunity to square off against a budding Goliath in a nationally watched state contest might come along only once in a career. Even so, though Taylor seriously has considered the get-Ralph assignment, the betting here is that he will not switch races. Democratic coaches next week and even next year still will be looking for a player big enough to knock down Reed.

"No matter what his critics say, Reed's relationship with Washington lobbyist Abramoff, as it is currently reported, is not enough to deny him an election victory. As the old political saw goes, "You can't beat somebody with nobody."