Who are you going to vote for? Is your Senator on this list?

[ProSense]

Democrats up for re-election in 2010

Bayh, Evan (D-IN)
Bennet, Michael F. (D-CO)
Boxer, Barbara (D-CA)
Burris, Roland W. (D-IL)
Dodd, Christopher J. (D-CT)
Dorgan, Byron L. (D-ND)
Feingold, Russell D. (D-WI)
Gillibrand, Kirsten E. (D-NY)
Inouye, Daniel K. (D-HI)
Leahy, Patrick J. (D-VT)
Lincoln, Blanche L. (D-AR)
Mikulski, Barbara A. (D-MD)
Murray, Patty (D-WA)
Reid, Harry (D-NV)
Schumer, Charles E. (D-NY)
Specter, Arlen (D-PA)
Wyden, Ron (D-OR)

If your Senator is listed above, does he/she deserve to be re-elected?



Edited to add the Senator from NY.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I *WILL* vote for my Senator, Barbara Boxer.

She deserves re-election, IMHO.

[ProSense]

2. Oh,

you have a great Senator. We need more like her.

[tblue]

5. Me, too!

[Booster]

8. And her's is the ONLY campaign I will donate to. I would hang

my head in shame if Carly wins.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

16. Carly has ZERO chances!

I plan to support Jerry Brown for Governor too...

It will be a much better state after he gets in!

:toast:

[Irishonly]

25. Agreed

I adore Boxer. I didn't live in CA when Brown was governor before and I am looking forward to sanity beog returned.

[MurrayDelph]

31. I also adore Boxer

and wish we had more Senators like her, in California and elsewhere.

But, as a native Californian, I WAS here when Brown was governor before, and while I hope he has grown up since then, am afraid of letting him back in again.

OTOH, if it is him as the candidate, depending on who it is on the Republan side, I would probably have to hold my nose and vote for him (Not guaranteed; I have voted for a Republican for governor ONCE when I knew the Democratic candidate was corrupt).

[Irishonly]

62. Almost any democrat has to be better than what we have had.

I think one of my dogs would do better than the governator.

[Booster]

60. Couldn't agree with you more. I'm a big fan of Jerry.

[avaistheone1]

47. I will proudly be voting for Boxer too.

Count me in. Yes she most certainly deserves to go back to Washington.



:kick:

[Raine]

51. She's my Senator too

I LOVE her!!! :bounce:

[Brother Buzz]

59. Our Senator Boxer is the quintessential progressive politicitian

I believe Barbara's reelection will be a cake-walk but it will prove interesting to watch Carly Fiorina catapult the propaganda with disastrous results.

Interesting, too, will be hearing all the Silicon Valley power brokers and CEOs shredding Carly. Names like John Dorre, Al Gore's go-to man in California may not be known outside Silicon Valley but the company names say it all: Google, Symantec, Adobe, Netflix , Applied Materials...the list is long.

[mitchtv]

66. as will I

////

[Born_A_Truman]

69. So will I!

I just wish I didn't have Jerry Lewis (R-CA) as my Rep! Writing to him is a waste of bandwidth, but I do it anyway.

[xxqqqzme]

70. Hell yes, I've had a fundraiser

for Boxer already. She gets my vote.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

72. BOXER!

I will pony up money, walk precints, do whatever it takes to get her butt back in DC.

[sakabatou]

81. Yes

[rwheeler31]

3. I hope most are safe this year.

[Clio the Leo]

4. I will gladly adopt any Blue Dog not deemed worthy....

.... anything so I dont have to listen to Sen Alexander's Fox-inspired diatribes on the Senate floor anymore.

[Arkana]

6. Kerry's not on that list, and to my recollection,

we're about to get a new Senator from MA very soon.

[ProSense]

7. Kirk isn't listed, but then again,

the person running for that seat will not be a sitting Senator.

[AllentownJake]

9. Specter in the Primary, whoever the D is that wins in the General Election

He's been a better democrat than some of his colleagues who were in the caucus for years in 2009.

Joe Sestak makes me nervous against Toomey. Watched him get his ass kicked in a debate.

[ProSense]

11. Voting for Specter over Sestak,

interesting.

[AllentownJake]

14. You should have seen the debate

it was painful...I walked in with a Sestak sticker on my car, had a Specter sticker the next day.

He also went to the democratic bar with Toomey and had beers with him after, half the democratic strategy next year is Toomey is a right wing nut case, and Sestak gave him pictures at an Obama's delegates bar drinking beers with a democratic congressman, who may be beaten in a primary.

I became extremely suspect of Sestak's political skills after that, plus most people are having trouble working with his campaign people...they are kind of assholes. Specter's people are better to work with, and seem to have the statewide race down better.

[Cha]

17. Yes, that is interesting..

thanks for the inside scoop on that.

[AllentownJake]

18. Sestak is an opportunist and not a Team Player

He wanted to help the party, he'd have thrown his hat into the weak Governor's race.

[ProSense]

21. Isn't he more progressive than Specter

a former Republican?

Hope he, Specter, doesn't revert to his old ways.

[AllentownJake]

27. I'm willing to take the risk

Sestak has done nothing to demonstrate to me he is a good candidate against Pat Toomey next year and frankly his jumping into this race is total vanity. He could have made a deal for the Governor's nomination, but that means he has to run a campaign with Rendell's last year legacy which is tough. This looked like the easier win in June of last year.

I can change my mind if his campaign shows signs of competence, I'm a hell of a lot more practical about these matters when staring the idiot in the face. The last thing this country needs is a Tea Bagging Senator.

If they both look like idiots next year against Pat I'll vote for Doris Smith, who will be he most progressive democrat on the primary ballot as a protest vote.

[ProSense]

28. You are making the case for

why the Senate looks like it does: You.

[AllentownJake]

30. Next year is going to be a shitty year for democrats

I don't think people in Indiana should primary Evan Bayh either. As much as I despise the man.

Pennsylvania isn't the liberal bastion people think it is, and honestly Pat Toomey is running a pretty good campaign right now.

We wouldn't have this problem if Joe and Ed hadn't went and recruited Arlen, we'd have an open primary and Josh Shapiro who was my candidate last spring would have had the best shot. But Joe had to stick his nose into PA politics.

At the end of the day, you lose the Senate, we will be talking about tax cuts in 2011.

[ProSense]

33. "I don't think people in Indiana should primary Evan Bayh either. "

Even if they can find a more progressive Democrat?

[AllentownJake]

34. If they can find an electable one sure

I lived there for 3 years...other than Bloomington it made Allentown look like San Francisco.

Evan Bayh is about as liberal as you are going to get in Indiana in 2009.

I voted for Evan Bayh in 2004. How do you think I like with that on my conscious right now.

[ProSense]

35. "Evan Bayh is about as liberal as you are going to get in Indiana in 2009."

Well, guess those primary challenges aren't going to work, huh?

Again, your reasoning is why the Senate looks the way it does. The Senate isn't going to change as long as people keep re-electing conservative and moderate Democrats.

[AllentownJake]

36. Some states are conservative and moderate

Who in Indiana do you propose challenging Evan Bayh with? Do you have a former Governor? A rich business person who is progressive and well known in the state? A congressman with state-wide appeal and good fundraising base?

I'll settle for a mayor. Do you have a popular progressive mayor?

The problem with Indiana is you need to build up your bench. The solution to Evan Bayh isn't in 2010, it is in 2016.

That and the man sits on 13 million dollars in a war chest and controls the state democratic party.

[ProSense]

37. "Who in Indiana do you propose challenging Evan Bayh with?" Not the point.

The point is that your argument for why he shouldn't be primaried in 2010 is the reason the Senate isn't going to change anytime soon.

[AllentownJake]

38. Let me see it is now almost December, Primary is in 5 months?

A statewide Senate race takes about a year to prepare for and fundraise for. Opposing candidate has 13 million dollars and controls every party chair in the state.

Barack Obama couldn't beat those odds, and he's the best I've ever seen at the game.

[ProSense]

39. That doesn't change the point. n/t

[AllentownJake]

40. What, that a primary challenger is impossible

This is like someone challenging the incumbent President in 2012. You'd have to have the stature of Teddy Kennedy to have a shot. People can talk about it all they want to, isn't going to happen.

If there was going to be a primary challenger for Evan Bayh, they would need about 5 million dollars, a statewide name, and the endorsement of some pretty big wigs to get any credibility. They would than need to run a flawless campaign, fend off Evan Bayh bringing the POTUS to fundraise and campaign for him, and be a rock star.

All of your mail will be more expensive, all of your system access will be more expensive, and only nut-jobs who could give a shit what party leaders think will come and help you.

[ProSense]

42. "This is like someone challenging the incumbent President in 2012. "

Really, what does that have to do with the reality of the Senate?

The point is people are screaming about the Senate being filled with sell out Democrats, and here you are making the case for why Bayh shouldn't be challenged and why he is the best Indiana can do for 2010.

What's the point of complaining when the next best opportunity to remove him is met with reasons why he shouldn't be? Reasons why there shouldn't even be an attempt made?

[AllentownJake]

44. It's too late

and Evan Bayh isn't the one you want to make the stand on, pick on one of the weaker ones.

There is no person stronger in their position for re-election in both a primary and a general election than Evan Bayh.

If you are going to try to primary one of these people, Blanche Lincoln or Landriue are better targets. Someone spending a lot of money on a real primary challenge and losing, is worse than letting the fucker go. Harder for the next guy to raise money, and harder for them to have credibility. Lamont losing hurt this idea in 2006.

[AllentownJake]

41. Oh and Indiana isn't CT

Evan Bayh has a stellar record as a governor, and is generally one of the most beloved figures in the state...and people like his dad too. Wish his dad would challenge him. Also people think he has a shot to be President someday (disgusting) and the state has a pride and inferiority complex. They have a fucking museum for Dan Quayle.

[ProSense]

43. "Evan Bayh has a stellar record as a governor, and is generally one of the most beloved figures..."

So you accept his actions in the Senate (as a representative of Indiana)?

[AllentownJake]

52. He was a decent governor

He's a poor Senator, he's difficult to beat, and trying to organize something 5-6 months before a primary is a fools errand.

Oh, and it is something I've thought about, at length, how this guy could lose his Senate Seat in 2010. My conclusion was, only to a GOP challenger.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

71. That doesn't follow.

I think the most famous counter-example is Connecticut 2006. That there are enough liberals around to carry the Primary, but not to win the actual election is not an uncommon turn of events.

[Cha]

10. Kristin Gillibrand is running in New York

and this one link from newsmax says the ghouliani is ahead by 3 points.

I know she's never been elected but here we go.

[ProSense]

12. Added. n/t

[Cha]

13. Thanks and thanks for the

list of Dem Senators up for re-election, PS.

[RC]

15. I'll vote for Dorgan.

Our other two so-called Dem congress critters should have a (R) after their names. Both are in the running to have their pictures in the dictionary next to the definition for DINO. That's correct Pomeroy and Conrad.

[jenmito]

19. Gilibrand-YES. n/t

[sjdnb]

20. Feingold ... heck, yeah!

One of the most honest, level headed, clear thinking, tell-it-like-it-is vs what-they-want-to-hear, politicians out there.

[Just-plain-Kathy]

22. I will vote for Schumer, Charles E. (D-NY) ...Yuck, but what choice do I have? A republican?

[Egnever]

23. Reid

And I plan on voting against him. The competition for his seat may end up being so absolutely repugnant that I cant pull it off come time to pull the lever but... I want that man out of the majority leader position.

[ProSense]

24. Good to know. n/t

[tabbycat31]

26. nobody on that list

as of right now. Ours are up in 2012 and 2014

[SemiCharmedQuark]

29. Burris isn't running so...*shrug*

[rebel with a cause]

76. Just what I was going to say.

I think he is wanting to, but he promised when he took the position that he would not and I don't think he should. I am not sure who will run but who ever does, I'm voting Democratic.

[GrantDem]

32. Bayh doesn't have a serious challenger, as of this post.

[nonpareil]

45. Wyden

Definitely YES

[quakerboy]

48. definitely maybe

I dunno. Its Oregon. I want to see how the field plays out before I commit to Wyden for the primary. I wouldn't mind a move to the left, if there is someone who could realistically pull off a general win.

[davidpdx]

79. I'll be voting for Wyden as well

The race for governor will be more interesting in Oregon then for the Senate seat.

[jillan]

46. Must be nice people - my choices are McCain or Hayword who makes McCain look like Feingold.

I'll tell ya - even Blanche Lincoln is a better choice than what we have in Az.

[Alexander]

56. I'm surprised Giffords or Grijalva aren't running...

I had hoped Janet Napolitano would run against McCain, since I think she could beat him, but that dream fizzled now that she's Homeland Security Director.

All eyes seem to be on the governor's race there, which it looks like Terry Goddard has a good chance of winning.

[Arkana]

64. Grijalva, I suspect, likes where he is.

Isn't he like head of the Progressive Caucus in the House?

[Alexander]

67. I don't blame him. Arizona doesn't have a lot of progressives.

The Democrats who won statewide recently have all been fairly moderate.

[quiller4]

49. I will vote for Patty Murray and I'll probably phone bank for her.

[DFW]

50. There are some REALLY good people on that list

Boxer, Feingold, Mikulski, Leahy to name a few.

But in Texas, alas, the last time we had a Democratic U. S. Senator was decades
ago, and it doesn't look like that will change any time soon.

[vaberella]

53. I'm voting for both Gillibrand and Schumer for NY. n/t

[paulk]

54. Bennet in Colorado can't be "re-elected" since he was never

elected in the first place. He was appointed.

;-)


That's going to be a big problem for him, actually - he has no real base of support among the voters - if it wasn't for the money pouring into his campaign coffers, much of it from out of state, he wouldn't stand a chance at all.

Will I vote for him? I'll vote against him in the primary, but the choices in the main election will make a decision much harder, since the Republicans will be running some fundie whackjob...

[Alexander]

55. Dodd's on the list, but I'm voting for his primary challenger

Merrick Alpert.

Dodd really neglected CT when he ran for president in 2008. He bought a house in Iowa and spent more time there than he did here.

He was also involved in the sweetheart deal with Countrywide, which doesn't sit well with me or a lot of people here.

If he's the nominee in 2010 (which I expect he will be), I'll hold my nose and vote for him, only because the alternative is likely to be Rob Simmons, CIA torturer in Vietnam.

But Dodd's re-election numbers are not good at this moment. I'd say he's one of the most likely Democrats to lose his seat next year, right behind Harry Reid. I think we need someone else there if we want a chance at keeping the seat.

Most good candidates are now running in the open governor's race, which constitutes our best shot at winning the governor's mansion since 1986. There I have my choice between Ned Lamont and Susan Bysiewicz, two great candidates.

[LWolf]

57. I'll probably vote for Wyden. nt

[IndianaGreen]

58. I will NOT vote for health industry whore Evan Bayh

and I am encouraging everyone I know to support Tamyra d'Ippolito in the May primary and, if she loses, to not vote for Bayh in November. Bayh's wife sits on the board of WellPoint. The Bayhs have enriched themselves from their Big Pharma and Big Insurer stock holdings, while putting the screws on the working men and women of Indiana.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — A Bloomington restaurant owner says she is organizing a campaign to challenge U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh for the Democratic nomination next year.

Tamyra d'Ippolito says she wants to be a proponent for the poor and that she wasn't pleased with Bayh's stance on health care reform. She says she's a colon cancer survivor and has been without health and dental insurance since opening Ragazzi Arte Cafe five years ago.

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2009/nov/09/bloomington-ind-woman-says-shell-challenge-bayh-pr/

If we really mean it when we say we want change, we will have to change how we vote and donate time and money to political campaigns.

[Mz Pip]

61. Barbara Boxer

she won't have a primary challenge and if Carly Fiorino can beat her here in CA then the outlook for Democrats around the country won't be good.

Boxer is a popular liberal senator in a relatively blue state. Yeah, we've had our share of Republican governors but it's been trending more and more liberal as time goes by.

[butterfly77]

63. Mine is not on the list but..

if he or she were they wouldn't get my vote if they were a bluedog..

[GoCubsGo]

68. Mine isn't, either, but...

Mine is Jim DeMint. If given the choice between him and a Blue Dog, I'll pick the Blue Dog. Come to think of it, that will probably be the choice next year.

[Hippo_Tron]

75. I think a lot of people who say they won't vote for a blue dog don't live in the south

And they don't know the political realities down here. I would vote for a flaming pile of shit over someone like DeMint or in my case Vitter. When it's a choice essentially between a moderate Republican (about where the conservadems are on the ideological spectrum) and a crazy right wing nutjob Republican who openly sympathizes with the birthers and the religious whackos and makes me embarrassed to live in the same state as them, it's really not a hard choice.

[lunatica]

65. Barbara Boxer is my Senator and I always vote for her

And Barbara Lee is my Congresswoman so I'm living in the right place.

[depakid]

73. Not my Senator but Patty Murray's vote in favor of the credit card companies

makes one wonder who's going to be all fired up to work for her.

[freddie mertz]

74. Undecided in PA Dem primary.

I like Sestak, but am worried about his performance so far.

Specter will probably be the nominee, and if so, I will vote for him.

[Withywindle]

77. Burris won't be running for re-election.

The Illinois race is a clusterfuck right now, but that's normal for us.

That particular Senate seat is cursed, by the way. Since 1993, no one in that Class III spot has served more than one term, and this'll make two that failed to complete even one. Of course, one of those two didn't finish his Senate term because he got a BIG promotion, so maybe that mitigates the "curse" aspect.

[AlinPA]

78. PA- Sestak in the primary, any D in the Nov. election. nt

[Ysabel]

80. i will vote for feingold again...

because he's one of the best / and yes he deserves to be re-elected...