Monday, October 02, 2006

Democrats poised to take control of Senate

By Michael J.W. Stickings

Alright, I'm getting ahead of myself, and I remain somewhat pessimistic, but MSNBC is reporting on new polls that suggest "Democrats are in striking distance of taking control of the Senate". The races in ten states -- Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Missouri, New Jersey, Washington, Maryland, Ohio, Montana, and Tennessee -- "show the following:

  • Two Republican incumbents in very serious trouble, Burns [MT] and Santorum [PA].
  • Four Republican incumbents tied with their challengers, Chafee [RI], Allen [VA], Talent [MO], and DeWine [OH].
  • One Democratic incumbent tied with his challenger, Menendez [NJ].
  • One Democratic incumbent with a real lead, Cantwell [WA].
  • One Democratic open seat with a Democrat in the lead, Cardin in Maryland.
  • One Republican open seat with a tie, Tennessee.

The results show that the Democrats have a real chance of gaining control of the Senate. However, as the election approaches, Democrats may have to lead by significant amounts to counteract the well-funded Republican get-out-the-vote effort. And almost every toss up seat needs to break for the Democrats for them to gain the six seats that they need."

Possible, but not likely.

However, as Chris Bowers argues, "[a]s Republicans unravel in almost every way you can imagine, Democrats clearly have the breeze blowing in their direction". So much so that "the Senate is in play right now, even if the odds still favor Republican control". Still "pretty amazing".

Perhaps I need to be a bit more optimistic.

posted by Michael J.W. Stickings at 10:25 PM

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2 Comments:

  • Although Chafee, at least, has a better progressive voting record than most Dems, especially of late (he voted against torture, against the border wall). Of course he'll probably come back into line a bit more after the election, but he's always been a thorn in Bush's side, and is a classic RINO. It would be interesting to see what he does if the Senate ends up being 51-49, GOP.

    By Blogger ., at 12:05 AM  

  • Polls show an anti-incumbent mood and that is more important than who takes majority control of Congress. One caveat: many voters have yet to figure out how to vote out incumbents. Honestly, I have had folks ask me, "Where on the ballot do you check to throw the incumbent out"?

    I am with Vote Out Incumbents Democracy, a PAC formed this year to educate voters about the choices they have at election time. We do need to reach voters and explain that the way to vote out irresponsible and inept politicians is by voting for their challengers.

    We advocate Republicans voting for Republican challengers in their primaries, and the same for Democrats. For all others, we advocate voting for the challengers of their choice in the general election.

    While speech is free, communications to a mass audience is anything but. We invite dissatisfied and discontent voters to become members of V.O.I.D. and help us reach millions of disgruntled citizens to motivate them to vote for challengers not only in 2006, but, 2008 and beyond, until responsible government is restored.

    I hope you will visit us, learn more about us, and even join us in this grass roots movement to restore good governance. When politicians realize they won't be reelected if problems don't get solved, they will put the interests of wealthy campaign donors, lobbyists, and special interests in the back seat and the voter's and the nations needs in the front.

    It is up to us voters to take this government back and never let politicians forget again just who pays their salary.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:04 AM  

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