...but with a strong GOTV campaign and some favorable coat-tails, we could end up with a total of 57 seats.
Assuming we hold all of our current seats, and the only vulnerable seat right now is in Nevada, which with a strong Clinton vote should be enough to carry Masto over the line, the Dems start out with 46 seats (44 Democrats and 2 Independents who caucus with Democrats).
Now, Illinois (Russ Feingold) takes us to 47, and with Wisconsin (Tammy Duckworth), we go up to 48 are all but given. Next in Indiana, Evan Bayh is a favorite to make his state's Senate delegation all Democratic making the total 49.
In New Hampshire Maggie Hassan the popular Governor could very well unseat Kelly Ayotte and take the Democrats to 50, and with VPOTUS Kaine, Democrats would have a majority.
....but wait, there's more!
In Florida, 'little' Marco, who couldn't win his home state's presidential primary, so (most likely)Patrick Murphy has a solid shot there, which get's us to 51, an absolute majority, that is unless Angus King and Bernie become right-wingers, which I think is unlikely.
And with strong Democratic voter support, we have at least even chances to pick up the following seats:
IA--52, PA--53, MO--54, NC--55, AZ--56, and OH--57.
As far as events in New Jersey go, Christie may well appoint a GOP replacement if Menendez goes down, but they won't be there long, only until Nov. 2017 when a special election must be held to fill the vacancy, in which of course a good Democrat will need to run.
Virginia is trending Democratic. President Obama carried the commonwealth's electoral votes twice; we hold all statewide offices and both US Senators. Just a few years ago, it was inconceivable that Democrats would be this successful there. I vividly remember Chris Matthews saying that Jim Webb would never be a Senator until that is, until George 'Macaca' Allen came along. As long as we have a good candidate, we should do fine. All of this comes with a critical caveat, Democrats must get out and vote. Remember Republicans win when Democrats don't vote.
In addition, the Rothenberg/Gonzales report has the GOP in the House of Representatives under a majority at 217 seats. At least it's a start. Dems are also leading in the generic ballot; with strong voting turnout, we can overturn the gerrymandering and retake the House.
There is little doubt, Hillary will be in the White House with Trump throwing the election away with both hands, but with regards to Congress, there's everything to play for, so to paraphrase President Obama, don't be scared, vote!
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