By Liz Mair, The Politico

The 2004 and 2006 elections were tough for Republicans west of Kansas, with losses of governorships and Senate seats in longtime red states Montana and Colorado, among others. Traditional constituencies such as sportsmen bailed on the GOP in surprisingly high numbers - and, looking ahead, 2008 promises to be little better in that regard.

As much as the national GOP may downplay the environment as an issue that runs against it out West, recent events indicate that Republicans could see even more attrition among hunters, anglers and others, as a result of the apparent pitting of core local interests against those of giant corporations - especially those operating in the energy sector, which are perceived as being buddy-buddy with the GOP.

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