Senate surprise: Democrats pulling ahead in close races

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/us_senate/articles/2004/04/11/senate_surprise_democrats_pulling_ahead_in_close_races/

Unexpected retirements and divisive Republican primary races have turned the battle for control of the US Senate into a tossup, with November's elections shaping up as another series of excruciatingly tight contests to fill the closely divided chamber, according to campaign officials in both parties.

Democrats, who less than a year ago faced dim chances of overcoming the GOP's 51-48 majority, now lead in the polls in all seven competitive races in which head-to-head public polling has been done, a trend that would produce a gain of three Democratic seats, in Oklahoma, Colorado, and Alaska.

Control of the Senate could be critical for the next president. If Democrat John F. Kerry wins but faces a GOP-controlled Congress, it is unlikely he will be able to pass major domestic initiatives. If Bush wins reelection but is hamstrung by a Democratic-controlled Senate, he will have a more difficult time getting his judicial nominations approved.

In Oklahoma, Democrat Brad Carson's strong showing in early opinion polls could mean a gain for the Democrats and a new Native American senator. In Colorado's race to replace Republican Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Democrat Ken Salazar, leading in polls, could become the first Latino in the Senate in a quarter-century. Alaska, once a guaranteed Republican stronghold, now appears in play, with incumbent Republican Lisa Murkowski -- who replaced her father, Frank, when he became governor -- trailing slightly in the polls.

[napi21]

1. You've forgotten one other scenario....

John Kerry wins the Presidency and control of the Senate goes to the Dems.

It looks like it can happen!

[NewYorkerfromMass]

10. I like that scenario

I could live with that! :)

[Syrinx]

2. I hope we get the senate, but what we really need is the house

The House has subpoena power.

[Melodybe]

3. We can and will win both.

[RoyGBiv]

4. Best of a Bad Situation

In Oklahoma, Democrat Brad Carson's

The problem with Carson is he's a Blue Dog and as likely as not to block any Democratic initiatives that might matter. He supports the Iraq war and the energy policy manufactured by Cheney and his cronies. The only thing I'll say for him on this point is that he at least seems to have little use for hardcore freeper types. In his blog, he makes some rather pointed statements about them occasionally.

Of course he's leagues better than his opponent Kirk Humphreys, a former mayor of OKC who spent his time in office ignoring the thousands of manufacturing jobs being lost while promoting a deal with Bass Pro Shops that lost the city millions in property tax revenue.

I just mention this to note that Democratic gains in the Senate might not be the great victory we hope for. Having a majority will help in the sense of gaining leadership control, but beyond that, it's still going to be an uphill battle to reverse all the damage BushCo has done.

[Merlin]

5. Thanks for the local color, RoyGBiv

And welcome to DU!

[dusty64]

6. Excellent news

to hear. I do see a strong possibility for at least a tied Senate or 51-49 Dem/Indy majority, hopefully in a tie a Democratic VP will break deadlocks.

[Joanne98]

7. Eric Fingerhut is running against Voinovich in Ohio

He's only six points behind. Count Ohio in. :)

[The Zanti Regent]

8. Add Pennsylvania into the mix!

Toomey is closing in on Specter. latest poll shows Toomey only 6 points behind.

Meanwhile an unopposed Joe Hoeffel waits with glee!

[sniffa]

9. it's the bush-anchor theory

he's dragging his party down.

[dolstein]

11. In Colorado and Oklahoma, DLC candidates are running strong

NT

[Moderator]

12. dupe

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=480077