Just want to say WELCOME to all the 8 new Democratic Senators (and 1 indie)

[LynneSin]

There are 8 new Democratic Senators joining us today in congress along with Angus King (Independent from Maine who will Caucus with us) and the replacement for the late Daniel Inouye.

New Senators include:

Connecticut: Chris Murphy
Hawaii: Mazie Hirono
Hawaii: Brian Schatz (replacing the late Daniel Inouye who died a few weeks ago)
Indiana: Joe Donnelly
Massachusetts: Elizabeth Warren
Maine: Angus King (Independent but caucusing with us)
New Mexico: Martin Heinrich
North Dakota: Heidi Heitkamp
Virginia: Tim Kaine
Wisconsin: Tammy Baldwin

We added 4 more women to our team with Heitkamp, Baldwin, Hirono and Warren. 2012 also saw the first openly gay senator with Tammy Baldwin. Mazie Hirono is the first Buddhist to serve in the Senate.

One of the more interesting things about Hawaii is they go from having 2 of the longest serving senators (Akaka and Inouye) to now having 2 of the newest senators. Schatz lucked out with the senior senator position since he was sworn in last week to finish out the last congressional term.

I think there is alot of good in this group of senators. I know Kaine had me worried as being too moderate but recently he has come out in support of a woman's right to choose after being anti-choice for so long (Click Here ) and is edging very close to Marriage Equality (he supports equal rights but still hasn't come out for Marriage Equality but to be fair that's how Obama started - Click Here )

It will be interesting to see how Joe Donnelly turns out since he is also a moderate democrat and really lucked out this election that's to his opponent, Richard Mordock, deciding to out-do Todd Akin on the rape/pregnancy bullshit. If I'm correct I also believe that Heidi Heitkamp is also moderate. But to me even on a democrat's absolutely worst day ever they are still a far cry better than any republican out there.

So good luck to all the new Democrats in the Senate (and one Independent). Looking forward to seeing good works from all of you!

[sharp_stick]

1. No More Lieberman

oh happy happy day. I'm so happy to see the end of that smug McCain/Palin sellout piece of shit.

[LynneSin]

2. Trust me when one leaves another steps in...

Some of the most moderate democrats in the senate today are Jim Manchin of WV and Mark Pryor of AR. Bill Nelson of Florida has always been a moderate (but not as moderate as outgoing senator Ben Nelson of NE). Joe Donnelly was pretty moderate in the house, he got a 20% rating from NARAL and is against Marriage Equality. NOt really keen on this guy but he's still worlds better than teabagger Richard Mourdock who said pregnancy from rape was a gift from god. Heidi Keitkamp is a bit on the fench with choice but says it should be the state that decides on marriage quality. Heidi really is just a master of not taking any particular side on the wedge issues but should be good with things like the budget, social programs and other issues.

[sharp_stick]

3. I know but at least

when some idiotic Dino starts spouting off about the next great Republican hope and someone shouts "who the hell is responsible for this.?" I won't have to sheepishly raise a hand and say "Sorry he's one of mine".

We were able to take out the WWE superstar Linda McMahon in two straight falls, hopefully the last wrestling metaphor I ever need to use, and replace Lieberman with Chris Murphy who seems like a great guy and an actual Democrat.

He's not going to be a real firebrand liberal, that's bound to piss some people off at one time or another, but he won't be sharing the stage at any RNC either.

[LynneSin]

4. I don't think that's the last you'll see of her

I suspect she might run for governor next.

[oldhippydude]

5. fantastic!!! this year we were supposed to loose the Senate remember?

congrats to all... Martin Heinrich got my vote..

[LynneSin]

6. It was something like 2-1 that dems outnumbered republicans

in senate seats up for re-election (meaning the current seat was held by a democrat)

[oldhippydude]

7. yes we not only defended our seats we gained a couple

good year in the senate... look at the rainbow of freshmen this cycle, this being a representative of the electorate going forward it bodes ill for the old white guy party..