Friday Senate Line: Democrats Creep Closer to 60 (WaPo)

[jefferson_dem]

Friday Senate Line: Democrats Creep Closer to 60

Senate Democrats' hopes of winning the 60 seats next month -- a mark that would hand them true operational control of the world's greatest deliberative body in 2009 -- rest heavily on four states: Louisiana, Kentucky, Georgia and Mississippi.

Hold Louisiana -- the lone Democratic-held seat in any peril with just 11 days to go before the election -- and win two of the other three states -- Kentucky and Georgia being the most likely -- and 60 is almost assured. Win one or none of the those Republican-held states and it's hard to see Democrats hitting that mark.

Can they do it? Yes, without question.

Although the National Republican Senatorial Committee reversed course last week and decided to stay on television in Louisiana, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D) remains the favorite against state Treasurer John Kennedy (R). (Watch to see whether Gov. Bobby Jindal's endorsement of Kennedy moves the needle in a positive direction for the Republican; if Jindal can't change the race, no one can.)

In Mississippi, Democrats' chances seemed to have slipped somewhat as appointed Sen. Roger Wicker (R) has found his footing. The x-factor in the Magnolia State is what black turnout will look like with Barack Obama atop the ticket. A historically high turnout among African Americans could hand former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove (D) a come-from-behind win, though today that seems unlikely.

As for Kentucky and Georgia, you'll find more on each race below.

These four states hold the key to 60 seats for Democrats. Watch them closely over the next 11 days.

As always, the number one ranked race on the Line is the most likely to switch parties on Nov. 4. And, the Line is meant as a conversation starter so let's discuss -- the comments section awaits.

Given how close we are to the election, we are keeping up with the example we set last week: this is the first of two Lines today. A House Line will follow this afternoon. Does it get any better than that?

To the Line!

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http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/10/friday_senate_line_democrats_c.html

[No Elephants]

1. If they are counting Lieberman, we need at least 61.