A look at 2016 Senate Races
For all the doom and gloom we've been hearing about this election season, the next one two years from now will be very much in our favor and very much against the Pukes. They'll have to defend 24 seats, many of which they won in blue/purple states during the tea party wave of 2010, compared to just 10 for us. In addition, it will fall in a presidential election year when more Democratic voters tend to head to the polls.
Alabama - Probably Safe Republican regardless of whether or not Shelby retires. He'll be 82 but we've had older senators.
Alaska - Safe Republican.
Arizona - McCain is the most unpopular senator in the country. Neither Democrats or Republicans like him. If he runs, I expect him to lose against some tea party nutjob in the primary. Personally, I expect him to retire to save face and avoid that humiliation. Either way, the Pukes could get stuck with a very flawed candidate and that will be good for us. Right now, I say this one Leans Republican.
Arkansas - Probably Safe Republican, although Boozman isn't particularly popular the last I heard.
California - Safe Democratic.
Colorado - Leans Republican, unfortunately. I couldn't find much on Bennett's approval ratings but he seems to be pretty unpopular from what I can tell.
Connecticut - Safe Democratic.
Florida - My home state has been trending purple the last couple of elections and Waterboy may retire to run for president. Even if he doesn't, I still think we have a reasonable shot of taking him out. Toss-up.
Georgia - Safe Republican.
Hawaii - Safe Democratic.
Idaho - Safe Republican.
Illinois - Huge pick-up opportunity here. Mark Kirk occupies the senate seat once held by the current POTUS. His victory in 2010 was something of an upset. Considering his health problems in the past (he suffered a stroke in 2012), he may not even run. Leans Democratic.
Indiana - Safe Republican.
Iowa - Safe Republican if the 83-year-old Grassley decides to run again. If he retires, I'd say it's Lean Republican/Toss-up.
Kansas - Safe Republican. I have no idea how popular Moran is but a Democrat hasn't held a senate seat in this state in over 80 years.
Kentucky - No idea whether Senator Crazy Hair will run for another term or not but it's Safe Republican either way.
Louisiana - Safe Republican. Diaper Boy will resign to run for Governor next year (ugh).
Maryland - Safe Democratic regardless of whether Mikulski retires or not.
Missouri - Probably Safe Republican, although I have heard that Blunt isn't terribly popular.
Nevada - Reid barely survived in 2010 against a horrible opponent. If they actually find somebody competent this time, I think he's done for. From what I heard, he doesn't plan on retiring. Leans Republican, sadly.
New Hampshire - Toss-up. New Hampshire is a purple state and, last time I checked, Ayotte is pretty unpopular.
New York - Safe Democratic.
North Carolina - Leans Republican. Burr has pretty mediocre approval ratings although he did very well against several potential opponents in a recent PPP poll: http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2014/08/mccrory-gets-a-c-from-north-carolina-voters.html
North Dakota - Safe Republican.
Ohio - Toss-up. Haven't seen much on Portman's popularity in awhile but he seems to have mediocre/low approval ratings from what I can gather.
Oklahoma - Safe Republican.
Oregon - Safe Democratic.
Pennsylvania - Leans Democratic. Pennsylvania is a blue state and Toomey isn't popular. Great pick-up opportunity here.
South Carolina - Safe Republican.
South Dakota - Safe Republican.
Utah - While Utah is obviously a solid red state, Lee isn't that popular and a lot of Republicans don't even seem to like him. I've heard rumors he may be primaried. Unless the Pukes get stuck with a flawed candidate (which is very possibly), I'd say this one stays Red. Leans Republican.
Vermont - Safe Democratic.
Washington - Safe Democratic.
Wisconsin - Leans Democratic. Hopefully, Feingold will run again but I think Johnson is one and done either way.
So, overall, we have extremely good pick-up opportunities in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, with good shots at Florida, Ohio, New Hampshire, and even Arizona as well. Of the ten senators we have up for election, only Reid and Bennett are vulnerable. This is why, even if we lose the Senate on Tuesday, I remain optimistic that the Pukes' reign of terror will be a short one.
= new reply since forum marked as read
