Democrats can regain control of the US Senate in 2016 without CO and NV.

[NPolitics1979]

Democrats are strongly favored to win Democratic held seats in CA,CT,HI,MD,NJ-special,NY,OR,VT,and WA.
In order to regain control of the US Senate- Democrats need to win at least 6 Republican held seats
1)IL-Duckworth-D
2)WI-Feingold-D
3)NH-Hassan-D
4)OH-Strickland-D
5)FL-Murphy-D
6)AK-Begich-D

[customerserviceguy]

1. Depends

Will Hillary have coattails, the way that Barack Obama did? I'm pretty doubtful about that.

The best we can hope for is a ho-hum Repuke that does not fire up their base. Jebbie would do nicely. Then it comes down to a choice by the mushy middle as to whether they're going to put the first woman in the White House, or just the third Bush within their lifetime. If they come out to vote, and the Rethugs just stay home, because they don't see much difference between the two, then we do better down-ballot.

[davidpdx]

13. I have to agree with you on the Hillary coattails

We've had people on here say "oh if Hillary is on the ticket she'll win this state and this state and this state" (of which all of them are deep red states). It's called being delusional. I think Jeb Bush would be the most likely to successfully challenge Hillary. If you get someone like Rotten Rubio or Crazy Cruz, the election won't be as close.

[craigmatic]

2. Is Begich running again?

[earthside]

3. Well, that's good, because ...

Michael Bennet is quite unpopular with progressive Democrats and unaffiliateds in Colorado.

We can hope Bennet is challenged in a primary, but with Anschuetz money, bankers' money, and fossil fuels industry money, Bennet is to be favored to be the Democrat's candidate.

Hillary ain't Obama ... if she is the presidential nominee, there won't be any coattails in Colorado, assuming she eeks out a narrow win nationally.

[NPolitics1979]

4. NV and CO are the two most vulnerable Democratic held US Senate seats in 2016

NV-if Sandoval-R runs.
Other Republican candidates-Krolicki,Hutchinson,Laxalt,or Roberson-Tossup-Leans D
Angle-R Likely D
CO-if Coffman-R or Tipton-R run
Bennet will defeat Buck-R or Lamborn-R
The most vulnerable Republican held seats in 2016 are
IL-Duckworth-D
OH-Strickland-D
FL-Murphy-D
WI-if Feingold-D runs
NH-if Hassan-D runs

[fizzgig]

11. i would love to see someone primary bennet from the left

i am not terribly impressed with him.

[cascadiance]

5. Oregon may be vulnerable with Wyden pushing through Fast Track for the TPP now...

[NPolitics1979]

7. In the Democratic Primary maybe. In the November General Election a firm NO.

The Oregon Republican bench is weak. Wyden will win the November General Election by at least a low double digit margin.

[NHDEMFORLIFE]

6. Not to be a broken record on NH, but ...

Ayotte is not going to lose. Having been an activist in NH politics for 40 years. I would be astounded if she lost. The major TV station in the state follows her every move when she is in the state, fawning over her every word. She has the newspapers eating out of her hands, and she does all the grunt work a member of the Senate (or House, for that matter) needs to do to keep the seat for as long as she wants it. She has conned independents into thinking she is a moderate. It would take a lot of high-priced explaining to change that perception.
If there are poll numbers citing her vulnerability, I'd love to see them, particularly to find out who is doing the polling and what their methods are.
Barring a Democratic landslide at the top of the ticket, or her doing something incredibly stupid, Ayotte is a lock. I'd much rather see Hassan maintain the governorship.

[Calista241]

8. Alaska is not going back To Dem unfortunately.

The seat only went Dem for one term because a corrupt prosecutor interfered. In addition, the Repubs are going to win Nevada at least, so we'll need to pick up 7 seats.

[Gothmog]

9. Alaska is a stretch

[Persondem]

10. I am not sure why NC is discounted out of hand.

Burr's favorability is in the 30's, and the rednecks will likely vote in fewer numbers with a white democratic nominee. Clinton is well liked.

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

12. Maybe not...here's my opinion...

not that's it's worth much. But...
I feel that the R's have figured out that the POTUS really is not the power position.
The true power lies in the two houses and beyond, think corporate money.
We have observed this in Mr. Obama's tenure.
They tweaked their power position. They know how to block legislation. They learned. We cried.

As a closet psychopath I understand this position. Brilliant. Give up a little, gain a lot. No need to be upfront, disturb from the rear. Gain the true power.

Sometimes you need to step away from the stage to really appreciate the music.

All I ask before you flame the hairs off my eyes is to think about it.

BTW, I was in MI for much of my military career this was a everyday tactic.

Again and I must say this, I so totally hope I'm wrong. Then I could go to sleep at night.

[Sunlei]

15. good post and good points. RW has pretty much locked in state and local control.

They know it's all about having enough votes to take over the position. That's why they put so much time into redistricting the local communities over the past couple decades.

The only democracy we have is our one vote. After election the republic takes over and the elected official can do whatever they wish.

[bigdarryl]

14. Feingold hasn't even declared he's running my bet is he won't

Plus the democrats have to come up with decent candidates if they are going to win so far I'm not impressed by some of those who are saying there running for Senate for 2016.Except maybe Harris out of CA.