We're going to pick up four US Senate seats in November.

[Lasher]

We'll pick up one in Colorado, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Virginia. :)

And the GOP won't pick up any. :) It had been feared that incumbent Mary Landrieu (D) might be vulnerable in Louisiana but recent polling reveals she has a double digit advantage over challenger John Kennedy (R).

This will result in a Senate breakdown of 45 GOP, 53 Democrats, and 2 Independent. One of the Independents will continue to caucus with Democrats, but the other (Benedict Lieberman) will officially move to the dark side when we throw him under a bus.

We might do even better than this but I'm pretty sure we'll pick up at least these four.

[NMDemDist2]

I agree n/t

[sandnsea]

1. And Oregon n/t

[SteppingRazor]

7. I wish, but...

neither of the Dem. primary candidates are exactly big guns. I expect Merkley to knock out Novick in the primary later this month, but after that, he'll face a battle against Smith, who, as incumbent, has naturally run unopposed and has a war chest of some $7 million -- about seven times as much as Merkley. I think Oregon's a lot tougher of a race than I initially gave it credit for.

If Merkley can run the sort of race that Sheldon Whitehouse ran against Lincoln Chafee a couple years ago in Rhode Island -- Sure, Chafee's pretty good for a Republican, but why vote for Democrat Lite when you can have the real thing?" -- then I think he has an outside shot. But it's an uphill battle.

[sandnsea]

12. Merkley has national support

That's the main reason I decided to vote for him. That and his personality. Smith is already running attack ads, and then saying he's for change. He clearly doesn't understand the change people are looking for. And I don't think Oregonians are going to forgive him on the war. If Merkley doesn't fumble, he can win.

[SteppingRazor]

23. All true enough.

I look at Maine and Oregon as fairly similar cases. And although the Republican incumbent is currently polling very well in both these states, regardless of which party winds up winning, I think those polls will certainly narrow as we approach November, especially in Oregon, where a win in the primary on May 20 (it is May 20, right?) will get the Democratic candidate a much-needed boost in the media coverage.

[sandnsea]

32. Snowe and Collins have principles

Smith doesn't. I think Oregon has figured it out. Snowe and Collins are just not the same as Smith. He's a Republican rubber stamp right down the line, and only votes for the environment when he's given permission to stray. Yes, May 20, got our ballots and ready to vote!

[Fly by night]

43. Wish they would switch parties -- I agree they are principled and we need more ...

... principled Senators on our side.

[sallyseven]

57. Snowe does but Collins doesn't

Read up on her a little.

[still_one]

2. There should be no excuse if we are not out of Iraq in four years

and that is regardless of WHO is President

I fully expect that the Democrats will have a 2/3 majority in Congress, so we will see if the Democratic leadership was more than just talk

[speedoo]

3. Thanks, I want more.

I'm greedy.

[electropop]

11. We need at least 60 or we're still stuck.

Without 60:

We can't investigate and prosecute the crimes of the Bush Regime.
We can't begin to restore tax fairness.
We can't have full public campaign financing.

[Lasher]

16. Me too.

Let's hope that 2006 magic still works.

[SteppingRazor]

4. I'm convinced we'll also pick up Minnesota, and maybe Alaska...

Maine and Oregon are looking less and less likely, but I think we've got an outside chance there too. I initially had some hope that we would be able to knock out Roger Wicker in Mississippi before his hold there became too much to overcome, but that doesn't look like it's going to happen.

Also a shame that we couldn't find a viable candidate to run against Liddy Dole in NC, as she's barely scraping by in the polls even against zero competition.

[Lasher]

30. Minnesota is another possibility.

Coleman is barely polling 50% against Franken. And the Alaska Senate race looks even better.

[SteppingRazor]

33. Alaska is particularly delicious when you consider that...

the grand jury investigation into Ted Stevens should be reaching its conclusions just in time for the November elections. :evilgrin:

[Lasher]

47. Oooo, that's good. I had not considered that.

And it would be a good smackdown to the GOP to take out their most senior Senator.

[Fireweed247]

38. Alaska!

Ted Stevens is going down!
:applause:

www.peacecandidates.com

[burythehatchet]

55. I'm not too bullish on Franken. Love him as a comedian, not sure he can win.

[SteppingRazor]

56. Ordinarily, I wouldn't be either. But he's got a lot going for him here.

His opponent is a hugely unpopular Republican in a very Democratic year in a mostly Democratic state with a history of celebrity politics. Add to that the fact that Franken has raised more money in a senate race that is far-and-away the most expensive senate race of 2008, and possibly the most expensive all-time, and he's looking really good.

[Lasher]

62. Hmm, let's see...

Minnesota Senate: Coleman 50% Franken 43%
Thursday, April 24, 2008

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey shows that Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman has opened a seven-percentage point lead over Democratic challenger Al Franken in his bid for re-election. Coleman, widely considered one of the most vulnerable incumbents of Election 2008, attracts 50% of the vote for the first time this year while Franken earns support from 43%.

A month ago, the incumbent Senator led the comedian 48% to 46%. Two months ago, Franken had a three-point lead over Coleman. That was before another Democratic candidate, Mike Ciresi, withdrew from the race.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_senate_elections/minnesota/election_2008_minnesota_senate

Franken has been ahead so far in 2 polls: Rasmussen on February 19 and Minnesota Public Radio on January 29. Go Al!!

[panader0]

5. Oh no! A repub named John Kennedy

Isn't that cheating?

[Lasher]

18. Ha ha, I noticed that.

It will work in our favor. Some stupid Republicans will think it's Ted Kennedy and will vote for Landrieu.

[MonkeyFunk]

6. I think we'll do better than that

[Lasher]

21. What happened to the monkey thingy? n/t

[MonkeyFunk]

22. siglines are turned off

but don't you worry. Angry monkey will return.

[L. Coyote]

8. ALASKA definitely. DOWN with the Corrupt Bastards Club!! Sweep them out.

All of them, and sweep the House clean too!

[Lasher]

19. There is a very good chance you're right.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

In a difficult year for Republicans, Alaska Senator Ted Stevens is providing GOP leaders with yet another headache.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds that Stevens is essentially even with Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich. Stevens currently attracts 46% of the vote while Begich earns 45%. Four percent (4%) say they’d vote for a third party option while 5% are not sure.

Any incumbent who polls below 50% is considered potentially vulnerable and that label certainly applies to Stevens.

Normally, a long-serving incumbent can count on unified support from his own party while picking up some support from the opposing party. However, Stevens is supported by just 71% of GOP voters while Begich attracts 78% of Democrats. Begich leads by 22 percentage points among unaffiliated voters.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_senate_elections/alaska/election_2008_alaska_senate

[Blue_In_AK]

60. There is a very good chance that Mark will win.

His brother Nick just recently endorsed Diane Benson for Don Young's Congressional seat. If Mark and Diane teamed up and campaigned together, I think they both could win. Diane is strong with the rural voters, being a Native Alaskan, and Mark is good with the urbans. They could both benefit from each other's strengths.

[Initech]

63. I'd love to see Alaska give Ted "Series Of Tubes" Stevens the heave-ho.

Although even if he's no longer a senator we at least need to keep him around for comedic material.

[CANDO]

9. I say we do even better than that!

We should be in the neighborhood of six to seven Senate seat gains.

[Happyhippychick]

27. I totally agree. If four is a given then six is a real possibility.

[iamthebandfanman]

10. yup

i have a feeling the senate and house will both be ours.

i have no doubt we will win the presidency too..

but i hafta say, even tho its my party, im kinda leary of one party controlling everything.... but id rather it be us doing it than them any day ;)

[Lasher]

29. We'll need to control the presidency and congress.

We've got a lot of things to fix and we don't need obstructionist Republicans standing in our way.

[Juche]

13. why discount Lieberman

On issues aside from foreign policy, he is a strong democrat. The fact that his opinions on Iraq are different than most of ours doesn't mean his opinions on taxes, labor, environment, paid FMLA, stem cells, the minimum wage and dozens of other progressive issues don't matter or are 'republican'. The dems need all the help they can get to get over the 60 seat filibuster.

I think we should let the south secede from the union, that'll give us a supermajority in the senate.

And destroying McConnell in KY should be a huge priority. He is the backbone of the obstructionism.

[iamthebandfanman]

20. i have a feeling mitch isnt going anywhere

and as far as lieberman...

i think alot of people see alot into his foreign policy stances... to me hes putting his religion into his thinking....and i dont think thats right.

hes a hardline isreal can never ever do any evil type of guy...

that sorta weird zionist outlook of trying to keep some biblical prophesy alive is just not needed in the senate or in our party. look whats its gotten us the last 8 years. im sure ole joe was itchin in his boots to bomb the iraqis.

atleast, i know thats why im so uneasy about him.

[WilliamPitt]

25. Joe doesn't run again until 2012

[Lasher]

26. I agree with your asessment of Lieberman's policies.

But he has gone too far. Losing the Primary and then running against our Democratic nominee in the General was bad enough. Now he's endorsed McCain for President and I think he's going to pull a Zell Miller at the GOP convention. That's just going too far.

He needs to be stripped of all committee assignments when the Senate convenes in January. If he still wants to caucus with us that's fine. He is a man who craves the limelight. So my guess is he'll switch to Republican or at least decide to caucus with them, hoping to get assignments from them.

[Richard Steele]

35. That traitorous shithead is campaigning for McCAIN, fer chrissake. He's already left us.

And he OFFICIALLY hasn't been a Democrat for 2 years now.

[Faryn Balyncd]

53. Could you remind me exactly what Lieberman's record on 60 vote filibuster votes has been?

[Subdivisions]

14. Maybe one in Texas! n/t

[Lasher]

31. In Texas I'd love to see Democrats retake control of the State legislature.

It sure would be fun to watch the Tom DeLay gerrymandering rectified.

[TheDebbieDee]

15. My concern is this: Are the Democrats running for these

Senate seats progressive Democrats of Claire McCaskill (DINO) Democrats?

I believe that many opportunistic repukes or conservative independents have been reading the hand-writing on the wall with regards to the future of repuke politics and have decided call themselves Democrats.

[Lasher]

42. You're always going to have some of that.

The redder the state, the more 'moderate' the successful Democratic candidate must be.

[BOSSHOG]

17. Don't count out Mississippi

Former Dem Governor Ronnie Musgrove is running for Trent lott's old seat which barbour appointed a republican congressman to fill until the election. Don't be surprised if Mississippi has a (D) Senator come November.

[Marr]

24. Well, get ready to be shocked, because our Congress hasn't even tried to deal with

election fraud. I'll be very surprised if the Democrats manage to get decisive control of the Senate.

[alfredo]

28. We need help defeating Mitch McConnell here in Ky. I will be posting

info on his opponent as soon as the May 20 primaries are over. We have Greg Fischer against Bruce Lunsford for the Dem nomination. Fischer is the man who invented those soda dispensers you see at gas stations and fast food joints. He's a good Dem, an attractive candidate. Lunsford in a shady businessman, endorsed a very corrupt Republican, Ernie Fletcher for governor. Lunsford is our Lieberman.

http://www.gregfischer.com/

[Breeze54]

34. We need 9 seats!!!

I'll take the four and hope and pray for more!!

[Lasher]

36. Yep, that's just what I'm doing - hoping for more.

And I can see we're not alone.

[TheDebbieDee]

49. But what good is a 9 seat pick-up..................

if the Democrats elected are so conservative that they vote with the repukes?

I'm not saying that these Dems are conservative - I'm just wondering who's checking them. What type of system is in place to prevent any pos repuke from calling themselves a Democrat and then running for office as one?

Point in case, Joe Lieberman. Who said HE could call himself a Democrat and run for election the first time?

[Breeze54]

52. I hear ya but with a Dem in the WH...the BlueDogs

had better either fall in line or hopefully, a lot of them will be replaced.

They're the one's, as you know, that voted for everything the chimp wanted.

I hope we can get more progressives elected this time around and take control of the Senate!

[Zynx]

37. I think that's about right. I wouldn't rule out a surprise either like Texas.

[IronLionZion]

39. I am sooooo hoping Noriega wins in Texas.

He has a fighting chance, but only has chump change against Cornyn's millions. If he had some decent financial support, imagine the possibilities. I'm hoping the 50 state strategy helps him out.

[Lasher]

40. Oh I'm not.

I don't think I'll ever forget how I felt in 2006 when we finally learned Webb had won the Virginia Senate race, giving us majority control. Remember, some had been saying we had no chance to pick up enough seats to do that. This year I'm hoping we'll do more things we have no chance of doing.

[Zynx]

41. Indeed. Throughout 2006 I always expected we would win the House, but I was doubtful on the Senate.

I don't doubt Chuck Schumer's ability to manage a national effort anymore.

[Lasher]

44. Yay, we're on the greatest page!

No doubt due to the good replies. My OP wasn't that special.

[IronLionZion]

45. There are more than enough wankers saying "No You Can't"

Fortunately this year the attitude is "Yes We Can!".

This was a banner year for firsts in the presidential race: first woman, black, hispanic, italian, 3 cancer survivers, divorcees, etc. The defeatists always say we can't do things but they start to look really stupid when you realize we already are doing things. I'm recently becoming a strong believer in doing things they say we can't do.

[Lasher]

48. Where I come from we call that a winning attitude. n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

46. We are going after Pat Roberts here in Kansas

Looks promising so far. :)

[IronLionZion]

54. Do it Kansas

If your extraordinary governor has proven anything, it's that no state is too red for us to win.

[Bake]

50. What we NEED is a filibuster-proof majority!

Here's to hope!!

Bake

[rainy]

51. Better fix those damn machines first.nt

[curious one]

58. Wonder how long it will take these new senators to get corrupted

and join the self serving crowd in the senate.

[Lasher]

59. Maybe you didn't understand.

There's not going to be any new Republican Senators. Just Democrats.

[magellan]

61. No time at all

They either conform or they don't get much done for their state...and risk losing the next election.