Malaise Jr.

Jack Carter, son of the former Democratic president, is exploring a run for Nevada's senate seat in 2006. If early poll numbers are an indication, don't expect to hear the word "dynasty" and Mr. Carter's name in the same sentence. But weak as he polls, Democrats have yet to field other candidates to challenge Republican incumbent John Ensign.

A Mason-Dixon poll last week has Mr. Ensign beating Mr. Carter by 59% to 25% (16% are undecided). Voters are saying, "Jack who?" Mr. Carter never got the name-recognition boost enjoyed by his sister Amy, who is 20 years his junior and grew up in the White House. Not helping matters, his father lost Nevada in both his presidential races, and the son only moved to Las Vegas from Bermuda three years ago. Mr. Carter owns an investment company.

His campaign so far is largely based on criticizing the Bush administration, especially on the war on terrorism. "Terrorism to me is two or three guys who have access to explosives. They're like burglars coming into your house," he said recently. That sounds a bit like John Kerry's theory that terrorism is a law-enforcement problem. Mr. Carter has also talked up the idea of tax hikes to pay for hurricane recovery. His father's veep, Walter Mondale, vowed to raise taxes in 1984. It wasn't a successful campaign strategy.

If bashing President Bush doesn't get him noticed, his admission of past drug use might. Mr. Carter was discharged from the Navy in 1970 for smoking dope and dropping acid while at nuclear power school. Mr. Carter will formally announce by the end of the year. Potential Democratic candidates may steer clear because of Mr. Ensign's strong poll numbers. The governor's seat is open in 2006, and many see it as an easier race to win.