2006 Open Senate Seats

[mndemocrat_29]

Though it may be a long way off, and many people are more content writing upon the presidential race, I think that the 2006 open seats could make or break a political party for the next decade. Rumors remain that as many as TWELVE Senate seats could be emptied in 2006. Here are the twelve, along with which Democrat I wish would fill them.

California-Rep. Loretta Sanchez (for Sen. Dianne Feinstein)
Connecticut-Atty. Gen. Richard Blumenthal (for Sen. Joe Lieberman)
Hawaii-Rep. Ed Case (for Sen. Daniel Akaka)
Indiana-For. Rep. Jill Long Thompson (for Sen. Richard Lugar)
Maryland-For. Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend (for Sen. Paul Sarbanes)
Massachusetts-For. Rep. Joe Kennedy II (for Sen. Ted Kennedy)
Mississippi-Atty. Gen. Mike Moore (for Sen. Trent Lott)
Tennessee-Tipper Gore (for Sen. Bill Frist)
Utah-Scott Matheson, Jr. (for Sen. Orrin Hatch)
Vermont-Aud. Elizabeth Ready (for Sen. Jim Jeffords)
West Virginia-Rep. Alan Mollohan (for Sen. Robert Byrd)
Wisconsin-Rep. Jerry Kleczka (for Sen. Herb Kohl)

Though I'm sure several of these senators will stick around for another term, it's still fun to guess their replacement. Please say who you wish would this seats, should they be open.

[GBD4]

1. Townsend? uh uh

She had such a terrible campaign against Ehrlich, in my opinion it was an embarrassment that the incumbent Lt Gov couldn't win. (Okay, Gov. Glendening wasn't a total blessing, but still . . .) So, I am hoping for a fresher face should Sarbanes step down. I wouldn't rule out such a retirement, good prediction in that sense. If we take back the Senate and he regains his Banking Committee Chairmanship, maybe he'll take one more term.

Which brings up a point. I think if we take back the Senate in 04, fewer Dems will retire in 06 in my opinion, because they will regain control over committees. We all know how much Senator Byrd would love to be at the helm of Appropriations! :)

[ButterflyBlood]

3. I doubt he wants to be in it till he's 95

But his seat should be easily retained if Mollohan runs, which he almost certainly will.

[NewJerseyDem]

40. Byrd might stay

He has been in Congress for so long he probably can hardly remember what life is like outside of congress. I think he will retire, but I think that it would be really hard for him to retire especially since he sees all those senate tradition dying, like the filibuster, and he may want to stay as long as possible to protect them.

[Epoch]

47. O'Malley

My mayor. This guy is so popular in B-more that he could win any state election. I see him going for governor in '06 and kicking Ehrlich out. then I see him going for senator as a replacement for Sarbanes or Mikulski. Cardin could also step up. O'Malley is young, charasmatic, plays in an irish rock band, and has national aspirations. He's also a gifted speaker. His niece is a good friend of mine at school and he came down to speak once. He also spoke at a debate against the Rep. candidate for mayor in Baltimore at my high school. He is articulate and makes a decent amount of sense.

Epoch

[PAMod]

74. Didn't the death penalty issue sink Townsend?

I'm from PA, so I only caught snippets, but I recall that she was winning handily until MD couldn't seek the death penalty for "the sniper".

How's Ehrlich as governor, by the way? If he's as bad as I thought he would be, that might help Townsend in a senate run.

[mndemocrat_29]

75. He's bad

or so I've heard.

I certainly think that Townsend could make a Senate run in 2006. The only candidate who I see in her way at this point is Rep. Chris van Hollen. Van Hollen won't run, and none of the other candidates seem like likely challengers. The governor of Baltimore will be running for Governor, and the only other high profile Democrat would be Mark Shriver, who lost a primary challenge for MD-8. Shriver is Townsend's cousin (oh what a primary that would be!)

[ButterflyBlood]

76. What makes you so sure Van Hollen wouldn't?

he could easily win. There's always the possibility Sarbanes will stick around too.

[mndemocrat_29]

87. I didn't say he wouldn't

I meant to say that he'd be the most likely candidate, as a 2-term House member who would be 47.

[ButterflyBlood]

2. ok

CA-yes, I hope that corporatist Feinstein leaves, and Sanchez is the best candidate.
CT-Dodd might be leaving too, since it's rumored he wants to run for governor and should win easily if he does. He'll get to pick his replacement then, which will likely be either Rep. Rosa DeLauro or Rep. John Larson. I hope Blumenthal is better than Lieberman if he does run.
HI-Abercrombie is more likely than Case. Case is a DLC whore and we can do far better from Hawaii.
IN-Don't know too much about her, but we have plenty of candidates who could take the seat if Lugar retires.
MD-It'll be one hell of a crowded primary if Sarbanes steps down. I imagine all the congressmen will want a shot at it (except maybe Steny Hoyer as he is Pelosi's whip and probably wants to keep that job or become Majority Leader if the Dems retake the House and she becomes Speaker). But if KKT can lose to an idiot like Elrich, I don't want her running again. Van Hollen would be a great candidate, even though he's only a first termer, he oozes charisma and likability.
MS-Moore's probably the best shot, or Gene Taylor or Musgrove
TN-It's practically already confirmed that this seat will belong to Harold Ford Jr.
UT-Matheson can barely win in his district. Barring the sudden appearence of some dream candidate the Republicans will easily retain the seat.
VT-I'll expect Dean to go for this if he's not in the White House, or Bernie Sanders.
WV-Mollohan is also already almost confirmed to be a candidate. He should win easily.
WI-Kleczka's probably the best we can get, or Doyle if his popularity imporves.

[mndemocrat_29]

7. Utah

UT-I don't think Rep. Jim Matheson should hold this seat. We need him in the House. I was thinking Scott Matheson, Jr., his brother. Both are sons of the popular former governor and Matheson could sneak by with a poor Republican candidate. It isn't totally out of the question. Anyhow, it will be wonderful to be rid of Orrin Hatch.

[jiacinto]

8. MD will be a bloodbath

Easily I could see Chris Van Hollen, Dutch Ruppersberger, Ben Cardin, and Steny Hoyer all running for the seat in the primary. That would be horrible as it could give the GOP an opening.

[ButterflyBlood]

10. I think Hoyer will stay out as he's more interested in House leadership

but hopefully the others drop out once it's clear they won't win. Maybe one will run for governor instead. But Gilchrest is probably the only viable Republican candidate. I don't think he'll run though.

[mndemocrat_29]

11. Maryland Race

I think that any one of the congressional delegation would also make fine candidates (probably van Hollen would be the best). However, the Republican we most have to worry about would be ex-Rep. Connie Morella.

[ButterflyBlood]

12. she'll be 75

I doubt she'll run

[jiacinto]

16. Morella won't run

She wouldn't get the support of the rock ribbed conservatives who live on the Eastern Shore, in the Western Panhnadle, and in the DC/Baltimore exurbs.

[NewJerseyDem]

36. Not Cardin or Hoyer

Hoyer will be happy in leadership. Also, Cardin is one of the highest ranking Democrats on the Ways and Means Committee. I believe everyone that is more senior than him is also a bit older. So, he is probably hoping that 10 years from now he has a realistic shot at becoming chairman.

[ButterflyBlood]

43. then it comes down to Ruppersberger and Van Hollen

and since Van Hollen would easily win Ruppersberger will probably stay out. Looks like this seat belongs to Van Hollen.

[jiacinto]

48. Most statewide officials are from the Baltimore Area

Parris Glendening was the first Governor from the DC suburbs to win in around 100 years, I believe. Dutch Ruppersberger would probably be the favorite because he hails from the Baltimore Suburbs.

[flamingyouth]

4. Maria Cantwell in Washington

is up for reelection then too. I think she's been very disappointing, personally. Her seat would be vulnerable (although 2006 is a LONG way off...)

[NewJerseyDem]

46. What is so bad about her?

From what I see she seems like a pretty loyal, solid liberal vote. She hasn't done any spectacular but she is a freshman.

[ButterflyBlood]

51. according to some ranking I saw

she was the least powerful senator last year. even most freshmen (like Dayton here) have at least made more of a name for themselves than she has. Also since she barely won in 2000 you can bet she'll be near the top of the GOP's target list in 2006.

[Ediacara]

52. On the other hand....

She was a no-name one term congresswoman who lost in 1994 and beat one of the most entrenched Republican incumbants in the Senate.

I suspect she'll win in 2006, unless she runs against Dunn.

[jiacinto]

5. Scratch KKT from that list

She is not viable after her horrible campaign against Ehrlich.

If Feinstein's seat is open there will be a multicandidate primary.
I think Lieberman runs for re-election
Case will probably run for the Akaka seat if he retires, but I don't see that happen as Akakak first won in 1990.
I don't know who would run in IN
Ted Kennedy is still relatively young--he's in his 60s and will run again
Moore would be a great candidate if Lott retires
Harold Ford will probably in TN
Orrin Hatch will run again--I don't see him retiring
Mollohan will run if Byrd retires, but he might stay
I don't see Kohl retiring

[NewJerseyDem]

38. Akaka will be 82

I don't know what is health is like but he must be considering retiring. I think there is a really strong chance that he will leave.

[VermontDem2004]

55. Ted Kennedy is actually 71

Born Febuary 22, 1932 Boston, Massachusetts

[lcordero]

6. What happened to going after Sanctorum's seat?

Sanctorum's seat needs to be targetted BIG TIME

[mndemocrat_29]

9. Retirements

I was going along the lines of retiring senators. Otherwise, I would've listed Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Ohio, Montana, and Missouri, all states that we could have a shot in. In fact, my candidates there would be:

Pennsylvania-Soon to be Treas. Bob Casey, Jr.
Rhode Island-Rep. Patrick Kennedy
Virginia-Gov. Mark Warner
Ohio-Rep. Sherrod Brown
Montana-Atty. Gen. Mike McGrath
Missouri-Lt. Gov. Joe Maxwell

[ButterflyBlood]

13. we don't have a chance in Ohio

unless DeWine retires and that's not too likely

[mndemocrat_29]

14. Ohio could be in play

I don't know. I've got a going theory that the Great Lakes states are becoming more and more Democratic, and eventually this trend is going to swallow Ohio. They could easily have a Democratic governor in 2006, and Reps. Marcy Kaptur, Ted Strickland, and Sherrod Brown all could have a shot. DeWine did lose before (in 1992), which proves he's not invincible and he has always struck me as a rather poor speaker. Also, we put up a poor candidate in 2000. He would be the favorite, but I think that we could take him in 2006.

[jiacinto]

17. Ohio Tradition

To win in Ohio you have to lose once.

[mndemocrat_29]

21. Voinovich

Did Voinovich lose? (I know that Metzenbaum did and that Glenn had to drop out of the race)

[jiacinto]

23. Yeah

Voinovich lost to Metzenbaum in 1988.

[mndemocrat_29]

26. Ohio Senate Seat 2006

Considering that Frank Lautenberg came out of retirement, Howard Metzenbaum (who would be 89) or John Glenn (who would be 85) could both try for the seat.

[ButterflyBlood]

27. I doubt it

Lautenberg only had been out for 2 years, will probably retire before 2004 so he can get an replacement appointed in time, came in in an emergency situation, and was 78 anyway. I doubt anyone would want to stay around until their 90's.

[mndemocrat_29]

28. Ohio

I was kidding (though I have always liked both Glenn and Metzenbaum, and Lautenberg for that matter)

[NewJerseyDem]

39. Chafee could retire

I doubt it but who knows if he really likes being in Washington. He has tons of pressure on him because he is a moderate and maybe he will just give up and retire. It is unlikely but I think a possibility.

[loyalsister]

83. Missouri

Nancy Farmer is running against Bond in Missouri.

http://www.dscc.org/newsroom/release/?newsReleaseId=2570

Maxwell is retiring. Ken Jacob and Bekki Cook are going for Maxwell's seat.

http://64.146.17.242/stories/090303/sta_0903030009.asp

It should be interesting. The Dems might have a good chance to do okay here. The state pukes have been nasty. We might be able to develop some partisanship based on damge pukes have done at state and federal levels. There were several who were newly elected to rural house districts and just voted against their school districts. We just have to drive home the message that the small school districts lost millions of dollars, the majority leader's district lost $1024, and their very own representatives made it happen.
Tie it to No Child Left Behind, and we might get them to vote a straight ticket.

[mndemocrat_29]

86. This was in reply to the 2006 race

not the 2004 race, which I think Farmer will pull off.

Without Maxwell (I made that comment before he retired), I think there are several candidates we could run. The best would be Dick Gephardt, but he may be president or vice president or in the cabinet by then, so I doubt it. Other candidates could include Claire McCaskill (if her primary challenge fails) or Russ Carnahan (who may be a 1-term House member by then).

[election_2004]

15. Maryland and Pennsylvania

Albert Russell Wynn replaces the retiring Sarbanes in '06.

In Pennsylvania, I think Allyson Schwartz will be gunning for Little Ricky's set.

Kohl probably won't retire, but as a Wisconsinite I can tell you that Ron Kind would be more likely to succeed him than Kleczka.

Why would Lieberman or Jeffords retire?...neither of them are exactly in a wheelchair (although Lieberman's rhetoric often borders on senile).

[jiacinto]

18. Wynn I don't think would win the primary

I think Dutch Ruppersberger (D) of Balitmore County would probably run.

[mndemocrat_29]

19. Lieberman and Jeffords

I think that Lieberman, after a failed attempt at the vice presidential nod and the presidential race, will realize that he'll never make it to the White House and will leave the Senate, probably gunning for an ambassadorship.

Jefford is going to have a tough race from Republicans, who want to punish him for switching seats. He may decide against the race entirely, which would give Democrats a very good shot at keeping this seat.

[ButterflyBlood]

22. Jeffords will win easily if he runs

the GOP will try like hell to knock him off, but he's still insanely popular. He'll have the support of the Dem base now so losing the GOP base won't hurt him, and still will get most of the swing voters.

[mndemocrat_29]

25. Jeffords would win

I do think that Jeffords would win, though Republicans would waste a lot of money trying to best him. However, in interviews, he often seemed like he was tired of Washington politics. Maybe I'm reading him wrong, but I just think he's tired of the Senate and wants to try something different. Maybe he'd want to run for governor as a career capper (like Dianne Feinstein and Chris Dodd may do)

[lcordero]

34. Jeffords has a ADAction rating of 95% for 2002

From this it looks like he is a better Democrat than most Democrats.

[ButterflyBlood]

20. Lieberman might because he only wants the seat as a launching pad

to the White House, and then he might realize he'll never get it once he get massacred in the primaries. Jeffords will be 72, some have retired younger, but I do expect him to stick around.

[Rowdyboy]

24. The next Democratic senator from Maryland will be...

Baltimore mayor Martin O'Malley-far and away the brightest star of the Maryland Democratic party.

[jiacinto]

29. O'Malley is running for Governor in 2006 against Ehrlich

nt

[Rowdyboy]

30. Don't blame me for hoping...

Either way, he's going to be the next major force in Maryland politics....Personally, I hope Sarbanes runs again, O'Malley humiliates Ehrlich and then, after a term or two, takes a senate seat.

[Lexingtonian]

31. That's quite a list

California- I think Gray Davis hoped to have a shot at this one. Now I'd guess Ellen Tauscher or Cruz Bustamente are ambitious and able enough to win the primary. I like Loretta Sanchez, but she's not a politician of that tier yet.
Connecticut- no idea. Nancy Johnson's running.
Hawaii- Yep, Ed Case.
Indiana- Jill Long Thompson has to beat Chris Chocola for the 2nd House District first. I'd call it a Republican win anyway at this point, and hardly a safe bet that Luger retires.
Maryland- Crowded primary. I'd guess Steny Hoyer has dibs on it.
Massachusetts- Barney Frank, unless he replaces John Kerry. Otherwise, Ed Markey or Jim McGovern or Marty Meehan.
Mississippi- Mike Moore is the best hope.
Tennessee- Nope, that one's already set as Ford Jr. vs Zach Wamp.
Utah- Not a chance for a Democrat.
Vermont- Jeffords runs again.
West Virginia- Yep, Alan Mollohan beats Shelly Capito.
Wisconsin- no idea.

Don't be too surprised if either of the Nelsons (Ben and Bob) retires or gets knocked off. There's also a possibility of Freudenthal running in Wyoming, perhaps.

Other races where Republicans can/should be knocked off- Talent (Missouri) by Gephardt or Maxwell, Burns (Montana) by Schweitzer, Allen (Virginia) by Mark Warner, Santorum (Pennsylvania) by Rendell.

[ButterflyBlood]

32. Johnson will be 71 in 2006

She likely wouldn't go past one term if she won. Shays or Simmons is far more likely. It's all moot if Lieberman runs again though, then none of the congresspeople will leave their seats.

[wrkclskid]

60. Lieberman has been losing a bit of popularity

But I don't know if my state has it in us to elect a republcian to senate, thank god. Though Shays, cause he is sort of a maverick, would be a tough candidate.

[Ediacara]

33. Montana

Schweitzer has a good chance of winning the statehouse in 2004, so I doubt he would run for senate in 2006. Mike McGrath, the current Attourney General will probably run against Burns and win (I hope).

[Lexingtonian]

35. OTOH, he might lose

I don't know Montana politics, but there seem to be all kinds of Republicans running who could knock off Martz in the primary and a Party that has no problems clearing out obvious liabilities in statewide office- especially when coincident with an expected close Presidential election. (In my state they push Jane Swift out, and Bob Smith next door, for cookie cutter PR heros.) Add in large amounts of Bush campaign money and consultants thrown at the state (they can't afford to lose it) and it may not look that good for Schweitzer in '04 after all. But he gets a direct shot at Burns in '06, when I suspect the national picture for Democrats will be looking rather more rosy.

[Le Taz Hot]

41. Regarding Feinstein/Sanchez

"Conventional wisdom" says she's safe. Wrong. The Greens will DEFINITELY run a candidate against her and the rank-and-file Democrats are unvelievably pissed at her (myself included). I agree with you about Sanchez. She's a good Representative but she's not ready for primetime. My personal favorite to run against Feinstein in the primaries would be Maxine Waters -- 'course I'm one who thinks Waters should be president so I may be just a LEETLE biased on that one.

(Enter Jiacinto telling me that "white people won't vote for a Black woman.")

[NewJerseyDem]

42. Well I like Feinstein

I don't see why everyone here seems to hate her. I guess its because she doesn't automatically vote against every single republican bill and just sides with the Democrats on everything like some sort of robot. I guess I'm the only one that likes her bipartisanship. She tries to get things done in the Senate which is what they are suppose to do. She tries to work out comprimises, but when she isn't happy with any deal she votes how she wants to. I think she is one of the best senators in the Senate.

[ronnykmarshall]

44. Amen!

[Le Taz Hot]

67. Feinstein is a mixed bag

she's excellent on a woman's right to choose, however, she voted for the war, voted for the Patriot Act and voted for the bankruptcy bill, among other things. I should have been more specific that I think she will be challenged by other Democrats in the primaries and she's not guaranteed a win -- she probably will, but it will be tougher for her in 2006 than it has been in previous years when she was virtually unopposed in the primaries.

[jiacinto]

49. Waters won't win a general election

And white people won't vote for that black woman. She is too polarizing and comes from Watts. She would win very few votes as white voters run away in droves to the Republican.

I am not saying that a black woman can't win, just that black woman can't win. And I think I am right.

Feinstein won by 2,000,000 votes in 2000. I don't see her losing unless she gets involved in a major scandal of some sort.

[Le Taz Hot]

68. Did I call it or what?

And white people won't vote for that black woman. :eyes:

[jiacinto]

70. It's the truth

I bet that even Waters herself would admit that if you asked her.

[NewJerseyDem]

71. What about Carol Moseley Braun?

What makes her so different from Waters? Braun was able to win once in Illinois and she is just as liberal and just as much of a black woman as Maxine Waters. Or is Illinois so much different than California?

[Rooktoven]

81. CMB might have trouble winning _again_ in Illinois

She is eloquent, but she has baggage, deserved or not.

[NewJerseyDem]

82. True

But, I was just saying that she has won election to the senate even though she developed some baggage during her tenure in the senate. Waters doesn't have that baggage so I was just wondering why Braun could have won in 1992 in Illinois and Waters couldn't win in California in 2006.

[Doomsayer13]

56. Fienstien is safe, despite Green antagonism

I like Feinstien personally, she's still a relatively liberal politician despite some pro-business votes. The Greens may run a campaign, but even against unpopular Gray Davis they weren't able to garner more than 5% of the vote (with Dems defecting) so there is no evidence that they will deter a Feinstein reelection with her over 60% approval ratings.

More likely, though, is that Feinstien will run for Governor (supposing Bustamante loses or Davis wins) when which there are dozens of possible candidates. Jane Harmon and Loretta Sanchez want Senate seats but every statewide office is held by a Dem and I'm sure some of them are itching for her seat too. Expect a competative primary.

[jiacinto]

58. Feinstein won't lose in 2006

She won by 2,000,000 votes in 2000, the most votes in California History for US Senate. I doubt she is in trouble.

[goobergunch]

57. So we're going to split our vote and elect a Repuke?

I'm not a Feinstein fan, but I'd rather have her than a Repuke. Anyway, from what I hear Feinstein is pretty popular and pretty much every Democrat will hate the Greens by 2006.

[Le Taz Hot]

69. No . . .

I should have been more specific in that I was speaking of the primaries. Depending upon which Dems run (if any), I think it's not necessarily going to be a cakewalk for her as it has been in the past. Those whom she has disappointed with her recent pro-Bush votes will, most likely, either vote for her or Green -- those types of people won't vote Republican. Oh yes, and just for the record and before I get accused of goddess knows waht, if she wins the primaries I will vote for her.

[David__77]

77. Antonio Villaraigosa.

I would work enthusiastically for him.

[Rooktoven]

80. Do you really think Rendell would give up the governorship?

Wonder if he is looking as far ahead as 2012.

[mndemocrat_29]

88. Rendell won't give up the governorship

He'll run for governor in 2006, and will probably be a leading contender for president in 2012.

I still believe that Bob Casey, Jr. will be the candidate in 2006.

[NewJerseyDem]

37. Texas

Hutchison wants to be governor of Texas so she may run and than Rick Perry might try to switch with Hutchison and run for Senate. So, this seat may also be open. I don't know what democrat would run here though. There are a lot of Democratic congressmen and if this redistricting goes through there might be a lot of ex-democratic congressmen who want to return to Washington.

[liberalpragmatist]

54. It'll be hard to take

At some point Texas will become a swing state -- 2006 will probably be too early. Especially if Perry runs, I don't forsee it as being competitive.

However, should Perry NOT run, we MAY have a SLIGHT chance -- at the very least we could make it competitive, with either Fmr. Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk (2002 candidate) or former Austin mayor Kirk Watson. Lloyd Bentsen's son, Ken Bentsen, may also be a good prospect. If all goes well then this MIGHT be a pickup -- by 2006, Texas will be somewhat friendlier to Democrats than now, as the trends that will turn it into a swing state will be at work. So it's possible, but unlikely.

The best scenarios I can envision for running well here would be:
1) Bush isn't president and under a democratic administration the economy is good and people are generally happy.

2) Bush IS president, but things are pretty bad -- the economy's in the pits, the world is unstable, and the Democrats are running VERY WELL nationally in that years congressional cycle. In that case, Texas may fall victim to national trends and prove friendly to a Democratic candidate, especially if the Texas economy is bad and the Texas GOP can be blamed for it.

[mndemocrat_29]

61. Texas-Future Swing State

I agree that Texas will eventually become a swing state. I don't see them throwing out a Republican in 2006 if Bush is president. However, if a Democrat wins in 2004, this seat could very much be in play. Hutchison is unbeatable, but if Rick Perry or a lesser candidate were to run, we'd have an outside chance. Democrats could use the popularity of the president to plea that Texas needs a Democrat in the Senate. Perry's chances may be hurt by Democratic anger over his recent re-redistricting. Ken Bentsen would probably be the best candidate.

[Bucky]

85. Ken Bentsen

Ken isn't Lloyd Bentsen's son. There IS a Lloyd Jr (Lloyd IV, actually--the senator was Lloyd III), but his cousin Ken is the pol in the boomer generation of Bentsens.

Ken got burned in the last senate primary. Statewide Texas Democratic politics has degenerated in pure racial politics. On the local level we have a lot of good people in isolated pockets, but the state wide picture we're probably a generation from having our act together. The only thing that could probably give the Dems a ghost of a chance statewide is... four more years of Whistle Ass.

[carpetbagger]

63. Perry is quite vulnerable.

He'll win the generic R vs. D any day in the next 20 years, but were he to run for Senate, he carries a great deal of weight as governor of a sinking financial ship, and is seen even by somewhat sympathetic observors as a guy who cuts sweetheart deals to his campaign contributors.

Ron Kirk came pretty close to winning in 2002. Changing demographics will probably close the gap by 2%, add another 2% based on the unlikelihood of a repeat of a successful national war-monger campaign, and it's pretty much a dead heat.

[NewJerseyDem]

45. Kohl is running

I saw online in some interview with some Wisconsin newspaper or website that he said that he was going to run for reelection in 2006. So, I guess Kohl will probably win.

Also, it looks like Harold Ford, Jr. will run in Tennessee and he is probably the favorite right now if Frist doesn't run like he says. I really doubt that Tipper will run. And I'm getting a little sick of the wives of former presidential candidates or presidents running for senate. It just seems like just because their married to a politician doesn't mean that they are one. They should at least consider running for the House or something before Senate.

Also, I would think that Burns or Bingaman might retire even thought they will probably both run.

I would think that Sanders might very well run in Vermont if Jeffords retires. Didn't Sanders threaten Jeffords that he might run against him in 2000?

[jiacinto]

50. Democrats should be fine in NM if Bigamen retires

Democrats hold all statewide elected offices except for Dominici's Senate Seat and the Public Lands Commissoner office.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

53. No DEMOCRAT is going to win in UTAH!!!

Not even he he gets TEN WIVES of she TEN HUSBANDS!!! NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!!

[David__77]

78. Sadly, true...

Certainly not a pro-choice one like Matheson. I think they can find someone else for this job.

[Northwind]

59. When I read...

...this thread title, my first thought was:

There aren't 2006 seats in the senate!

[Hippo_Tron]

62. My Opinions

California-Rep. Loretta Sanchez (for Sen. Dianne Feinstein) - Nope DiFi is the most popular politician in Cali.

Connecticut-Atty. Gen. Richard Blumenthal (for Sen. Joe Lieberman) - Possible but I think he's pretty safe

Maryland-For. Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend (for Sen. Paul Sarbanes) - Townsend is NUTS! She's on a national campaign to ban dodgeball in schools for god's sake.

Massachusetts-For. Rep. Joe Kennedy II (for Sen. Ted Kennedy) - Ted's not going anywhere unless he retires.

Mississippi-Atty. Gen. Mike Moore (for Sen. Trent Lott) - I hope so, maybe Mississippi will decide he's an embarasment to them as did the Republican party.

Tennessee-Tipper Gore (for Sen. Bill Frist) - Bill Frist isn't going anywhere, he's not only majority leader but people like him, plus he hasn't done anything yet to really piss off the Democrats. He even settled to lower the tax cut to $350,000. He'd probably be my favorite Republican if it wasn't for his stance on gay rights.

Utah-Scott Matheson, Jr. (for Sen. Orrin Hatch) - That would be awesome but I doubt It'll happen.

Vermont-Aud. Elizabeth Ready (for Sen. Jim Jeffords) - I bet Jeffords will win re-election, I think switching parties actually made him more popular in Vermont.

West Virginia-Rep. Alan Mollohan (for Sen. Robert Byrd) - Lots of power, longest serving Democrat, head of the Appropriations committee, and hasn't done anything stupid in this past term. I hope he retires but I don't think he will.

[ButterflyBlood]

65. wow, I never knew that about Townsend and dodgeball

sheesh, now I'm almost happy she lost.

and this is about the possibility of retirements, not challengers. Frist is going to retire because of a term limits promise.

and Byrd will be 89 and has Parkinson's disease. I'd be very very suprised if he runs again.

[NewJerseyDem]

66. Parkinson's disease?

Are you sure? I thought that he just had those tremors because of old age. I don't think that he really has parkinson's disease.

[Doomsayer13]

84. Frist is retiring, and I think Lott will too

Frist has maintained that he will retire after two terms no matter what. I think we should take him on his word for that, which will leave it open for the sitting Democratic governor (supposing he's popular and wants to run). I doubt Frist will break his two term pledge.

Lott has no more clout in the Senate after Republicans deposed him in the Strom Thurmond debacle. I don't think he will seek re-election because of this. But when's the last time Mississippi had a Democratic senator? Back in the 60's when Southern "Democrats" were filibustering the civil rights act. I doubt we'll get a liberal senator from Mississipi in a long time.

[kwolf68]

64. I love L.Sanchez

I saw an interview with Loretta Sanchez and I am VERY impressed. She is articulate, confident, strong…she’s a wonderful representative. And she also has “cult hero” status by putting Bob Dornan out to pasture.

Sanchez would give the Latino community representation in the Senate and would further broaden the “big tent” appeal of the Democrats.

Get Harold Ford, Jr. in the Senate in Tennessee and things would be looking good.

[catzies]

72. Got a call from DiFi tonight -- she's "being targeted by the NRA?"

Phone rang right after Bush's :puke: fest tonight.

Horse's mouth, as it were. Wanted early money for her campaign. That's what the telemarketer said. I said it was the first I'd heard about it but thanks for letting me know that means she's running to keep her seat in 2006.

[mndemocrat_29]

73. Then this seat should be safe

Dianne Feinstein is unbeatable in California, and she'll easily win.

[Mass_Liberal]

79. I like jefferson just fine where he is

people like him because of his independance and he's a liberal. I dig him where he is.


Peace:dem: :kick: