Posted on 11/17/2006 2:35:14 PM PST by Clintonfatigued
Senate Democrats will have a wider field of possibilities and probably more open seats available to expand their majority in 2008, though Senate Republicans will have several chances to pick off red-state Democrats.
Of the 33 seats up for election two years from now, 21 are held by Republicans. Eight of those 21 were elected with 55 percent of the vote or less in 2002, and in seven of them the incumbent is a freshman. The party also faces several retirement questions.
Democrats might not lose any incumbents to retirement now that they are in the majority — a crucial first step to maintaining and growing that majority.
Two big Democratic retirement risks, 82-year-old Sen. Frank Lautenberg (N.J.) and 69-year-old Sen. Jay Rockefeller (W.Va.), intend to run again in 2008, according to their offices. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), who turns 67 on Sunday, could announce whether he will run for a fifth term by the end of the week, his office said.
Harkin, Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), 72, who has not decided, and Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), 64, who did not respond to inquiries, may be re-energized by capturing prized committee chairmanships. Levin will lead the Armed Services Committee, Baucus will run the Finance Committee and Harkin will head the Agriculture Committee.
All five of those seats would be attractive to Republicans if they were open, though Harkin has never garnered more than 55 percent of the vote in his four campaigns, and his seat will draw Republican attention regardless of whether he stays or goes.
(Excerpt) Read more at hillnews.com ...
I'm surprised that Frank Lautenburg is running again. I don't think his party is happy about it.
Sen. Byrd has to die sometime. Wonder how many Dems are over 70...
I've been saying this since the election. We are on defense in the Senate in 08. There is no question about that.
They can easily change their minds just like Ted Stevens who today said he will be running again.
Aaron needs to give us a break. It would be nice to have at least a month off before the Commie 'RATS in the Liberal MSM start ramming all this "election" crap down our throats again?
Possible but they really only got the majority they have now by a few thousand votes.
Only the GOOD die young!!
I really can't see Lautenberg going though another election, although he is just slimy enough to do it and then immediately retire.
Anything can happen. Although we are on defense right now, if we get a good Presidential candidate with long-coattails we can recapture the Senate and the House. It is difficult to envision McCain, Romney or Giuliani having coattails but do not be surprised if Governor Pawlenty runs for President and provides the boost that we will need for 2008.
Yep! I bet the Democrats will control the Senate 100-0!!!!!!
Yup, all those new senators and reps from Minnesota are really impressive!
"if we get a good Presidential candidate with long-coattails"
Amen. That would go a long way to getting some seats back.
It does not make any difference. NJ is beyond hope.
The Democrats are winning and defending seats in deep red states (and in some cases are even being allowed to run unopposed), while we do not seriously challenge in any deep blue states.
The number of deep red Democrats in the Senate just increased from 11 to 14, while the number of deep blue Republicans fell from 3 to 2.
As long as we allow Democrats to hold one or both Senate seats in ND, LA, AR, NB, FL, MT, SD, and WV recovering the majority will be impossible.
Run away, chicken little.
Way, way, way too early to speculate on the '08 Senate, especially before the country gets an object lesson in what can be worse than keeping those republican bums around.
Or... Maybe they won't.
Yes, sir. Americans just love liberal senators. Can't have too many of them.
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