After the liberal lion of the United States Senate Edward M. Kennedy died, the Massachusetts Democratic Party chose Attorney General Martha Coakley to fill his seat. The voters in the bluest of blue states had other ideas and chose Republican Scott Brown.

Could the Connecticut Democratic Party "pull a Coakley" or two come November? Comparisons to this state's attorney general, Richard Blumenthal, have begun to move from wishful Republican cocktail talk to potential reality.

Once considered invincible with a 41-point advantage, the 20-year incumbent attorney general currently clings to a 7-point lead over Republican political novice Linda McMahon. The collapse in poll numbers is due largely to an unimaginative and listless campaign. The poll should alert the Blumenthal team that any reservoir of good will towards the veteran attorney general is drying up.

Blumenthal's appearance before the state AFL-CIO was not a profile in courage. The man who has the distinguished 30-year public service record stood before his brothers and sisters in the labor movement and said, "I've never been an insider."

The attorney general is an insider as are many incumbent Democrats. As political insiders Democrats need to show why their status is a benefit to voters. For example, when the Groton sub base comes back for closure consideration (and it will) do voters want a veteran politician and policy maker such as Blumenthal, or a former wrestling promoter? Having an insider represent parochial interests in Washington has its benefits.

Results of the August primaries show the electorate is in volatile mood.

Blumenthal challenger McMahon spent $25 million and received the support of only 49 percent of the registered Republicans in a closed primary. Martha Dean, the GOP nominee for attorney general, has never held political office and raised less money than the McMahon campaign spent on tote bags, yet Dean garnered more votes than any statewide Republican candidate.

Dannel Malloy, who was 3 points down the day before the Aug. 10 primary, crushed challenger Ned Lamont by 16 points. Janet Peckinpaugh, a former television anchor who jumped into the 2nd District congressional race in the ninth hour, won the GOP primary. And former ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley, who had a 30-point lead and all the campaign cash he wanted, squeaked out a 3-point win over publicly financed Lt. Gov. Mike Fedele.

Even though her gubernatorial nominee, Malloy, proved that having Lamont's kind of money doesn't equal victory, Democratic state Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo noted, "There is clearly no enthusiasm for the Republican candidates, and you can see that in their fundraising. They clearly haven't been able to raise a lot of money."

DiNardo should know money alone doesn't win campaigns. Passion, ideas and hustle brings victories. In short, a candidate has got to want it.

It's 70 days until Election Day. Most of the Republicans candidates have been on the trail for a year or longer. Although U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District, has shown some aggressiveness, other Democratic congressional incumbents need to get busy. So does George Jepsen, who is running for attorney general, and Denise Nappier, who wants to continue as state treasurer. (Thanks to competitive primaries Democratic Secretary of State nominee Denise Merrill and Comptroller nominee Kevin Lembo are ready for battle.)

Democrats should watch the video of their gubernatorial nominee on primary night. Malloy said, in so many words, "I'm ready to fight for you! Will you join me in taking back Connecticut?" Malloy wants to be governor and is fighting for it. A recent poll has Malloy up by 15 points.

Looking at the combination of money raised, the power of incumbency and voter registration, Connecticut Democrats should win all five congressional seats, the open U.S. Senate race and, the governor's chair.

But when the state's Democratic chairwoman remarks on the upcoming congressional contests, saying Democrats are "not in much danger of losing their seats," it makes one wonder if, perhaps, just maybe, a Connecticut Democrat or two could "pull a Coakley."

Ben Davol is a veteran of numerous local, state and federal political campaigns. Once a Republican organizer, he is now registered as unaffiliated.