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The Battle for the Senate

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2006
Posted on Sat Nov 04, 2006 at 10:59:49 PM EST
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The New York Times says only two senate races remain a tossup: Missouri and Virginia.

The map is now on a razor’s edge with 49 seats leaning or safe for both the Democrats and for the Republicans.

The Democrats have a tougher battle because they need to reach 51 seats to take control as Vice President Dick Cheney will break a 50-50 tie.

Query: If Joe Lieberman wins, what column does it fall in since he's not running as a Democrat or a Republican? The Republicans will try to woo him into changing parties. I think he'll continue to call himself a Democrat while supporting Republican platforms.

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    The Battle for the Senate | 4 comments (4 topical)

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    The Lieberman question (none / 0) (#1)
    by Maggie Mae on Sun Nov 05, 2006 at 10:44:37 AM EST
    is THE question for me.  I've been furious that the pundits haven't talked about this more, when discussing what is needed for the Democrats to take control of the Senate.

    From what Lieberman's said (He'll caucus with the Dems, but vote very independently) I think he's looking to have an "I" listed after his name.  Right now we have 44 Democrats (with Joe Blow).  If we move him to the Independent column, we have 43 Democrats.  So, we definitely need 7 wins to get to 50 Democrats, 1 Independent and 49 Republicans.  If we only get 6 wins, I'm still not convinced that Joe will keep his Independent designation and not switch parties to give the Republicans the majority.  He owes them for taking so much money and help from them.  He's also hungry (to the point of starvation) to chair a committee or two and the Republicans could woo him by promising him those chairs.  He's  a loose cannon that I can't and won't ever trust.

    Bernie Sanders is an independent (none / 0) (#2)
    by dutchfox on Sun Nov 05, 2006 at 11:27:11 AM EST
    Though aligned to the Dems (and he ran in the Democratic primary in Vermont), he's listed on the Vermont ballots as an independent. Yet the NYT highlights Vermont as solidly Democratic for the US Senate. Go figure.

    There's been scant coverage in the MSM about independent and third party candidates. If people want choice, give them choice. Fortuntely, in Vermont, we have a wide range of independent and third party candidates to choose from.

    What will Joe do? (none / 0) (#3)
    by TenDem on Sun Nov 05, 2006 at 12:20:06 PM EST
    Joe will sell himself to the highest bidder.

    Joe cinches it (none / 0) (#4)
    by joggerblogger2 on Sun Nov 05, 2006 at 05:32:32 PM EST
    What are the dems thinking? You are about to experience the most empty victory possible. Even if they win 50 seats, they plan on running a "fair and open" majority which won't be all that big. Given the gerrymandering that has gone on with a furry since the uptick of conservative mindset in the country, and given the conservative tactics which are well honed and part and parcel of their fabric- stall, persist (don't change) and settle for any small achievements when a loss is eminent. We all know their ability to de-fang important and prudent legislation that makes the liberal side look bad in the end. Do you think GW will forget about the veto? And the Senate, where is their outrage about Lieberman? Even with a clear majority he is powerful and works out in the open to devalue all many progressive strategies. He is the weakest kind of human for a politician there is - he reads the weakest denominator in a political arena and goes for the power every time. Democrats should not be ashamed of their power when issues so warrant it. By "respecting" his power which is garnered solely for his (power hungry) ego, by ignoring his open demagoguery , his one vote is about to become to the power of 10. He is playing both sides of fence and the conservatives can live with that- especially since he is in the liberal dugout. The conservatives concentrate their power once in office and can deal with small discrepancies. Liberals spread out the power and loose focus quickly as the ranks open up under fire. As long as conservatives have a insider in the Senate and close to a majority, they will hamstring the liberal agenda. Don't forget Joe has taken the forsaken fruit of campaign contributions from the seductress. This would be inconsequential where it the house - but the Senate is very powerful at blocking legislation. I am predicting the biggest election hangover possible. Too much cheap victory (wine), and very little understanding of the sobriety of the situation. I am also predicting the dems will take a nip on bottle of the dog that bit them. It will come from very loosely defined "liberals" who won on hybrid platforms. And Joe will more than be happy to pass them the bottle.

    The Battle for the Senate | 4 comments (4 topical)

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