"GOP Holds Edge in Keeping Senate Majority"

[GreenPartyVoter]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Only in Washington: Republicans need 50 seats to retain control of the Senate in Tuesday's elections, but Democrats must have 51 to take it away.

The Constitution, the calendar, the presidential election and a political power play in Massachusetts combine to make it so, a curiosity that gives Republicans a margin for election error that Democrats lack.

"If President Bush and Vice President Cheney are re-elected, if the Senate is 50-50, the Republicans would maintain control" by virtue of (Vice President Dick) Cheney's ability to break a tie," said Betty Koed, assistant Senate historian.

Even if Kerry wins the White House, she said in a recent interview, "The Republican vice president would be breaking the tie" from Jan. 3, when the Senate convenes, until 17 days later, when the White House shifted hands with the swearing-in of the next president.

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20041031/D862HQE80.html

[aquart]

1. So?

Which Senate seats are in play?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. But that's what filibusters are for

Dems can employ that tactic to keep any disasterous legislation from getting through, since cloture still takes a 2/3 majority to pass.

As for Senate offices in play-I think we all agree we're picking up IL with Obama. And I know Lincoln (a Dem, not a Repuke) will retain her AR senate seat-even the leading Repuke rag in AR has endorsed her, saying the Repuke candidate is a one-note Johnny (anti-gay marriage).

[Lefty48197]

3. Not really. The Repukes lead 51-48-1 right now, except that

the independent basically votes as a Democrat. All we really need to do is pick up one seat, and we'll effectively control the Senate, considering V.P. Edwards will cast the tie-breaking votes.
We're already a lock to pick up the Illinois seat. We'll lose Zell Miller's seat, but would that really be a philosophical loss?
We have chances at many other Republican controlled Senate seats: Colorado, Alaska, Kentucky...