Posted on 06/08/2013 11:10:28 AM PDT by Kaslin
After the recent death of Senator Frank Lautenberg and Chris Christie’s following announcement of a special election later this year, it reminds us that there are some critical senate seats up for grabs that could be potential winners for the GOP. Depending on recruiting capabilities and ease of fundraising, we could see Republican senators in some surprising places.
1) New Hampshire
Now this won’t be an automatic win by any means, but it is an interesting race to watch because of the potential candidates in the race. It has been mentioned that Scott Brown, the former senator from Massachusetts, could cross state lines and take on incumbent, Jeanne Shaheen. It looks like if Brown actually takes the plunge and decides to run in New Hampshire, he is the one with the best chance of beating an old favorite.
There are other Republicans thinking about entering the race, but it is clear that national Republicans see a better chance with Brown. He will face a lot of criticism, crossing state lines and all, but he seems to be the best chance at a GOP victory in the Granite State.
2) Michigan
Well, we are all aware of the impending retirement of Democratic Senator Carl Levin. So now we look forward to who will try to enter the race. It looks like the national GOP is going to have step its game up in the recruiting for this race. Their top pick, Rep. Mike Rogers, is hesitant to join the race.
Former Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land has stepped up to run against the Democrat, but there is some worry at the top that this is not the best chance for Republicans. Many would feel more comfortable with Rogers in the race.
3) Arkansas
We all know that Arkansas is one of the historically red states, but they have had a long sitting Democratic senator who is looking extremely vulnerable in the next election cycle. Senator Mark Pryor is going to have a tough fight to make it through this challenge from the Republican’s ideal candidate, Rep. Tom Cotton.
It looks like Cotton will run and has a very good chance at taking out the Democrat.
4) Iowa
Back in January Senator John Harkin announced he would not be seeking re-election, which leaves open a large opportunity for Republicans. However, many are concerned that this could be a missed chance because the high profile candidate that was wanted by national GOP members doesn’t want to take the plunge.
Now it appears that we are going to have to battle it out in a tough primary season to see who the Republican candidate will be. But to be honest, this would be looking like a lot more optimistic situation had there been a clear frontrunner. Iowa will be an important state to keep an eye on for this reason.
5) Montana
Once again recruiting is going to play a major role in who ends up taking the Republican nomination in Montana to succeed Democratic Senator Max Baucus. There are a few potential candidates right now that are thinking about entering the race.
Former GOP Governor Marc Racicot is a favorite among national Republicans, but if he chooses to forgo the race, Rep. Steve Daines is another option. Democratic Governor Brian Schweitzer is looking at running for the Democrats and this is a tough one for Republicans to think about.
If Schweitzer chooses to enter the race, it could be a tough one for the Republicans to win.
Your Republican polling firm obviously did not poll any dead voters.
We a good chance to take it in 2012 too, if people hadn’t stayed home or didn’t think the senate was important
From Wikipedia
On January 26, 2013, he announced his intentions to retire from the Senate after completing his fifth term in 2015
my apology. I thought I put the link in, I must have put the same link, that I put in for the picture
Thanks
His name is TOM Harkin.
She must have mistook him for some John Harkin who is running for State Senate
Several congressman are capable of giving her the boot if they decide to run............Just saying.
I agree that Michigan is in play. New Hampshire no way. That state has been invaded by the Massholes, and I doubt Brown will run against Shaheen anyway.
The path to victory is (WV, SD, LA, AR, AK, NC)
Any potential loss in these races could be compensated with Michigan or Iowa. Schweitzer has essentially knocked Montana out of play, which is insanely annoying as this is a red state with two rat senators.
We also have the wild card in Mass, with RINO Gomez polling better than he has any right to. Whether you count him as a real win is debatable, but the majority does come with certain powers.
Yes, losing in 2 States that Romney won really hurt!
We need to retake the Senate to make Obama a lameduck for the next two years!
The GOP is not going to go all in to retake the Senate. The beltway GOP is fine with the way it is now with Obama in the WH. Reid is a buffer and they have shown little interest in engaging Obama directly.
The GOP prefer to let voters do the heavy lifting and that is a sure loser strategy at this time in history.
The beltway GOP have been focusing nearly all energy on marginalizing conservatives. Amnesty, adopting the vocabulary of the left, leadership punishing conservative Reps, etc., etc. They will do everything they can to prevent conservatives getting on the ballot.
What about Thaddeus McCotter? Is he interested in getting back into elective office? If he is, I suppose he would try to regain his House seat rather than run for Senate.
I think that the repubs in South Dakota have a decent chance to take back the seat Tim Johnson stoled.
Yeah, I was grimacing as I sailed through this fluff, but when I got to that I couldn't take any more.
That scumbag Gomez is a Democrat. No way would he bother keeping up the "Republican" charade if he won.
I hope he gets buried.
Not Montana, especially if former governor Brian Schweitzer runs.
Monatana should be a predictably Republican state but far left Missoula, Bozeman and Butte consistantly vote the Rats in. Strong labor unions and podunk universities.
What in the good name of gravy train makes you think that the GOP is any good for America.
With all the crime and abdication of their oath's, what makes you think supporting the GOP is going to change the downward spiral that we are in?
If the idiot voters in this country continue to vote in the "chosen candidate" of either party nothing will change.
And before the readers of this missive get their panties in a wad.... if you voted for the same old candidate that these clowns picked for you, guess what... your an idiot.
Not Kaslin...
Zig Zag Zell was NEVER consistently conservative until he announced his retirement. During his Senate career, he campaigned for Max Cleland's re-election and cast the 50th vote to hand control of the Senate to Tom Daschle when Jeffords became an "independent". His "RINO" successor Johnny Isakson had a far higher ACU rating each year in the Senate, and voted more consistently conservative than Zell ever had.
Why so many Georgia freepers are in love with Zell, I'll never know. Perhaps it was because he talked a good game. Talk is cheap, and he doesn't even do that anymore.
We’re hoping in West Virginia that Rep (R) shelly moore Capito has a chance to win the Senate seat vacated by Rockefeller
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