[Don'tMessWithTexas]

In this election cycle, the election map for the Senate is much more difficult than the House. CA, CT, DE, IL, WA and WI are solidly blue states. PA has gone Dem since 1988. It is amazing that we are doing as well as we are in these states. The fact that we are ahead in IL, PA and WI is amazing. We are tantalizingly close in WA and CA. We stand a good shot at taking Robert Byrd's seat. Meanwhile, we are going to bump off Harry Reid, the majority leader.

The bottom line is that two years ago the Dems gained a fillibuster proof majority in the Senate. They are on verge of becoming the minority party. Even if we fall one or two seats short, that is a MAJOR victory.

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

It is worth mentioning that the Republican senators we are getting will be on the whole more conservative. Thus, it will be much easier to hold together enough votes to sustain fillibusters. Voinovich will be gone. Murkowski, gone. Collins, Snowe, Graham and McCain are about the only RINOs left. I would rather have a more ideologically pure GOP Senate and be in the minority than a mish mash of RINOs and in the majority.

[SomeCallMeTim]

The bottom line is that two years ago the Dems gained a fillibuster proof majority in the Senate. They are on verge of becoming the minority party. Even if we fall one or two seats short, that is a MAJOR victory.

You're absolutely correct. The Senate map in this election was so bad.... 6 months ago, I thought 4-5 pickups would be HUGE. Now, 5-7 look likely to me.. and, if momemtum really gets going, 9-10 are certainly within reach.

In 2012, the Dems will be defending quite a few more vulnerable seats.