If Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham lose their Senate seats ??

[kentuck]

How many more Senate seats could the Democrats pick up. I believe Mark Udall in CO and Tom Udall in NM could both possibly win. Also, I would be surprised if Al Franken did not win in MN. Can you think of any other possible pickups for the Democrats?

[notesdev]

1. If Graham loses

it will more likely be to another Rep than a Dem. This IS South Carolina we're talking about here.

[kentuck]

3. Some polls are showing it to be "borderline Republican.

Someone posted a map earlier today?

[babylonsister]

2. Here's a breakdown of what's shaking in the Senate: rethugs defending "23"

seats? :wow:


Polls Suggest Woes for GOP Senate Chances
By CQ Staff

A series of recent state polls around the country confirm earlier forecasts about the uphill challenge faced this year by Republicans in trying to hold their ground in the Senate, or even staving off new Democratic gains.

Republicans are defending 23 seats this year with five of them open due to retirements while Democrats are defending only 12, all filled by incumbents. That was the basis of a CQ Politics forecast in April that Democrats were well-positioned to add two and possibly as many as eight seats to their 51 to 49 working majority (including independents Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut and Bernard Sanders of Vermont).

Surveys in the last few weeks found Republican incumbents teetering near or below 50 percent in the polls, or actually running behind Democratic challengers. In two states where seats were left open by retiring Republicans, the Democratic candidates were running ahead.

• Kentucky: Democratic challenger Bruce Lunsford, a Louisville businessman, is leading incumbent Sen. Mitch McConnell , the Senate GOP leader, by 49 percent to 44 percent with 4 percent preferring “other” and 4 percent undecided, in a May 22 Rasmussen Reports Survey. McConnell is viewed favorably by 52 percent of voters compared to 42 percent who see him negatively, while Lunsford is viewed positively by 47 percent of voters compared to 42 percent. The margin of error is 4.5 percent. Rasmussen said just 67 percent of John McCain supporters said they would also vote for McConnell, while 28 percent will defect to Lunsford.

• Minnesota: incumbent GOP Sen. Norm Coleman is leading Democratic hopeful Al Franken 47 percent to 45 percent with 5 percent preferring “other” and 3 percent undecided, in a Rasmussen Reports poll conducted May 22. The difference is within the 4.5 percent margin of error. The number of voters who view Coleman favorably or unfavorably are equally divided at 49 percent, while Franken is viewed unfavorably by 49 percent and favorably by 47 percent. A month ago, Coleman led 50 percent to 43 percent. A Minneapolis Star Tribune poll conducted May 12-15 had Coleman in better shape, leading Franken 51 percent to 44 percent with a margin of error of 3.6 percent. Coleman is viewed favorably by 53 percent of voters compared to 33 percent, and Franken is viewed unfavorably by 39 percent versus 33 percent who view him favorably. As far as Franken’s tax woes — he admitted he has had to pay penalties and correct past filings in different states - 43 percent of voters say they are satisfied with his explanations and 42 percent say they are not.

more...

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002884507

[kentuck]

4. Also, isn't a Democrat favored to win John Warner's seat in VA?

I forget who is running? Is it Mark Warner??

[grantcart]

5. a little dated but from January

Next year will be the election for the 2nd Class of Senators and it brings forth a perfect storm for Democrats.

Of the 33 Senators up for election 21 are Republicans and 12 are Democrats.
http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/reference...

Of the democrats all but one is in a seat that is considered either very strong or strong and should run with little or no opposition and that is Landrieu in LA.

Of the republicans 9 seats are considered contestable. This does not include wild card seats like Craig ID, or Trent MS in which the republicans will have no incumbent.

4 Seats are vacated by retiring Allard CO, Domenici NM, Hagel NE, Warner VA.

4 Seats are held by republicans in democratic states; Coleman MN, Smith OR, Sununu NH, Collins ME

1 Seat is occupied by a republican currently being investigated by the FBI and could be taken if a good candidate runs
Stevens AL.

The Democratic Senate Campaign has been outraising the republicans by a 10-1 ratio.

It is easier for the Democrats to recruit good candidates because 1) Likely presidential coattails, 2)Higher interest in working in the majority party.

And finally we have the 'Macaca' factor. The rest of the republican candidates will say something stupid and Dean's strategy of having a good candidate in every contest will provide some surprises.

[MiniMe]

6. Mark Warner in Virginia

He is hugely popular there. John Warner is retiring and the repub candidate, while a former Virginia Governer, did not have a good term. So Mark Warner should handily defeat James Gilmore.

[yellowdogintexas]

7. oh the thought of McConell defeated just makes me salivate

I so dislike him, there are no words.

there are many I have intensely disliked over the years. McConnell is right up at the top of the list.

[OmahaBlueDog]

8. I haven't seen polls, but I think Kleeb (D) will be competitive with Johanns (R) in Nebraska (nt)

[kentuck]

9. What about the guy in TX??

John Cornhole? Or whatever his name is?

[NC_Nurse]

10. I'd love to see Liddy go down. She's such a Bush apologist.

[burythehatchet]

12. some senators you have to wonder if they accomplished anything at all

she is one of those.

[kentuck]

13. Oh yeah!

She could possibly lose.

As could Gordon Smith out in Oregon.

[burythehatchet]

11. Forget not Liddy Dole

[PM7nj]

14. Jean Shaheen will definitely beat Sununu in NH. nt

[kentuck]

Let me know when we reach a dozen?

defeated Republicans. That would be too sweet!

[stevedeshazer]

15. Jeff Merkley may unseat Gordon Smith in Oregon

And I'll do what I can to make it happen.

[kentuck]

16. And what about those two Republican women up in New England?

Is there a chance to beat either of them??

[alfredo]

17. Ditch Mitch!! Here's his opponent's web site

http://www.bruce2008.com/index.asp


Also:

Heather Ryan is a veteran, mother, wife, anti war actist, and the target of Mitch McConnell's hatred.
Watch the first video.

http://www.bruce2008.com/index.asp

Mitch pressured the city of Paducah to fire her. He threatened her boss, the city of Paducah Ky, with the withholding of federal fundings if they didn't fire her. She committed the crime of asking Mitch about the Iraq war. She's now running for congress.

[kentuck]

18. I think there is a chance to get ten Senate seats...

judging from the comments. That would be a veto-proof Senate and would be a great weapon for the new President.

[arcos]

19. Dems are polling about even in Alaska, North Carolina, Mississippi...

And Warner will easily win Virginia.

The Democrats are going to win at least 5 Senate seats and may even pickup 10.

[kentuck]

20. Oh! Alaska and Mississippi?

That's about a possible dozen. And there is always one upset that no one anticipates.

[arcos]

21. It will be a good year!

Mississippi: Musgrove (D) 47% Wicker (R) 46%
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_senate_elections/mississippi/mississippi_senate_musgrove_d_47_wicker_r_46

Alaska: Begich (D) 47% Stevens (R) 45%
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_senate_elections/alaska/election_2008_alaska_senate

[sendero]

22. I truly believe..

... this is going to be a banner years for Democrats, where they will win elections no one thought possible.

Americans are coming around to the FACT that the Republican party has led this country down the primrose path to destruction.

The war folks could forgive. After all, not much was asked of the average American, only our soldiers were sacrificing and that was hidden as much as humanly possible.

But now the economy is tanking, and that hits people where they live.

By the time November rolls around, Americans are going to be fit to be tied, and they are going to RIGHTFULLY blame the Republican party.

Happy days are here again.