How many *actual* Democrats do we have in the Senate?

[DaveinJapan]

Obviously not 60.

I guess I need to define "actual", so I suppose the easiest way to describe it would be Senators who are at this time putting out a reasonable effort to further the Presidents agenda, and certainly not doing anything to actively block it (again, within reason...that is to say on the Presidents side *most* of the time).

So, I figure it's somewhere slightly north of 50. As for the independents, I consider Senator Sanders to be pretty much an *actual* Democrat for all intents and purposes. The other one, I really wish would switch caucuses frankly. He's useless and can't be trusted.

[rucky]

1. Here's a good rundown:

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/110/senate/party-voters/

[DaveinJapan]

2. Good stuff. Thanks!

Boy, that Olympia Snowe really IS a rebel!

[DaveinJapan]

3. I guess I'm looking more for an actual number estimate here...

along with who is "in" and who is not (of course, it's a matter of opinion).

The percentage calculators are great, but we all know a large chunk of what they vote on is pretty mundane. I'm wondering who the Senate has in the way of real Democrats when the chips are really down and every vote counts.

50? 54? 48?

Feel free to also mention who you have in mind in your number crunching too, if you wish.

[KharmaTrain]

10. Last Count For PO I Read was 55

Minus Libermann (whose not a Democrat), Lincoln, Nelson (even though he did say he'd go with the opt out), Landrieu and Pryor (C-Street boy).

[Freddie Stubbs]

4. Does that include the President's agenda for Afghanistan?

And support of increased aid to charter schools?

:shrug:

[DaveinJapan]

8. I'd like to hear more of your thoughts on this.

As for the wars, I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt for now, they are a Republican monster that needs to be tamed and I'd bet it'll take longer than a year to do so. I remain optimistic.

Charter schools aid I know nothing about at all so please enlighten me.

[Freddie Stubbs]

9. President Obama is a strong proponent of increasing federal funding to encourage states to

expand charter schools:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124476693275708519.html

Are Senators who oppose this not real Democrats, since they are opposing President's Obama's agenda?

[DaveinJapan]

12. Not necessarily.

As I wrote, if they're on board *most* of the time that's fine with me.

I'm not a fan of lock stepping, but on the other hand he's the selected leader of the party and as such the party should be generally supportive. Or at least that's the way to make things work effectively imo.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

5. 11 plus

Durbin
Murray
Whitehouse
Kerry
Sanders
Boxer
Harkin
Dorgan
Byrd
Feingold
Franken

Some lack enough evidence, yet.

[DaveinJapan]

6. Wow. Damn. That's harsh. nt

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

11. Alternatively...

...I'm having trouble coming up with any "actual" Republicans.

:shrug:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

13. The unspinned truth.

[DaveinJapan]

7. btw, I LOVE the fact that this is unrec-city at the moment. careful, your agenda is showing. nt

[TheKentuckian]

14. 20 or less liberals, another 15 or so moderate liberals, 15 moderates, about 10-12

Republicans, and 38 Confederates seems to be the breakdown to me.