Best Slogan of '06: "A Whitehouse in Washington you can trust!" (Sheldon Whitehouse, RI)
Best Name of '06: TIE Charlie Brown (CA) and John Courage (TX), I mean c'mon his name is courage and how can you vote against Charlie Brown?!
Best Political Novice/Combat Veteran of '06: Patrick Murphy (PA)
Best Political Veteran/Combat Veteran of '06: Eric Massa (NY)
Best Name Recognition of '06: Jack Carter (NV), Jimmy Carter's son
Best Chance of Victory of '06: Bob Casey (PA)
Best Chance of Turning a Red State Blue of '06: Jim Webb (VA)
Best Netroots Candidate of '06: Jon Tester (MT)
Most Inspiring Candidate of '06: TIE Coleen Rowley (MN) and Tammy Duckworth (IL)
Biggest Chance of Big Upset: Patricia Madrid (NM)
Let me discuss two of those in the East that you picked
Diane Farrell ran against Chirs Shays the last time, winning 48% of the vote. She is a more experienced candidate, and Bush is far less popular. This is one of three CT House seats that the Dmes might be able to pick up. Of course it would be far easier to do were Lamont the Dem nominee and Lieberman doesn't file as an independent. It is a tossup whether this race or the one against Rob Simmons is the closer.
Pat Murphy is someone I know, and for whom I have done educational policy work. He first had to win a primary (not a major issue). This is a seat that has been marginal, and has bee held by Dems in the not so distant past. It is up in Bucks County,where Bush is quite umpopular. Pat has taught at West Point, is quite articulate, relatively young, and -oh by the way - just took time off from the campaign to get married! Ambassador Joe Wilson thinks highly enough of him to have appeared at a fundraiser in the district.
So that's two good choices about which I can offer some insights. It doesn't mean your other choices aren't good, but of the people in the East that you chose these are ther aces about which I have been able to offer insights.