Democrats Press Battle For 60 Senate Seats: Openly discuss possibility of reaching "magic" number

[DeepModem Mom]

WP: Democrats Press Battle For 60 Seats In Senate
By Paul Kane
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, August 28, 2008; Page A31

DENVER, Aug. 27 -- Their moments came outside prime time, but the candidates Senate Democratic leaders hope will propel them to their biggest majority in decades also had their time in the spotlight at the Democratic convention.

After spending months trying to tamp down expectations, Democrats are openly discussing the possibility that they could net the nine seats that would bring them to the magic number of 60, a tally that would make it much more difficult for Republicans to filibuster their agenda in Congress next year. With that goal in sight, Democrats are working to energize activists in Denver to focus their agenda not only on Barack Obama's campaign but also on an array of races from Oregon to North Carolina, many of which were once viewed as all but out of reach for the party....

On the stump and in e-mail solicitations to supporters, Senate Democrats are arguing that electing Obama and running mate Joseph R. Biden Jr. to the White House won't allow their party to reach its goals unless they have a large enough majority to quickly enact the Obama agenda....

There are currently 49 Democrats and two independents who caucus with them in the chamber, facing off against 49 Republicans.

Stuart Rothenberg, an independent election analyst with the Rothenberg Political Report, estimated that if the elections were held today, Democrats would pick up at least five Republican-held seats. He cited Virginia, Colorado and New Mexico, where veteran GOP lawmakers are retiring, and New Hampshire and Alaska, where polling shows Republican incumbents trailing. (Senator Charles) Schumer pointed to six other races in which Democratic candidates are either tied or not far behind, including North Carolina. An independent poll this week put state Sen. Kay Hagan (D) ahead of Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R), 42 percent to 39 percent....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/27/AR2008082703726.html

[Captain Hilts]

1. I think Mitch McConnell is vulnerable too. nt

[Pab Sungenis]

2. My math still only gets us to 59

...and that's WITH Lieberman.

If we win every one where we're leading now, PLUS Mississippi, Minnesota, and North Carolina (where we're behind, but should win) it still only gets us 59.

[WindRiverMan]

5. We will take Alaska

Mark Begich was a popular mayor, and the son of a popular politician. Ted Stevens sealed the deal when he won the primary.

[Pab Sungenis]

6. Alaska is in my count.

I have us winning NH, MA, RI, NJ, DE, VA, WV, MI, IL, IA, AR, LA, SD, MT, CO, NM, and AK for 56 w/LIE. We should flip MN, and MAY flip MS and NC. I doubt we can flip KY. That gives me 59 w/LIE without Kentucky.

[wvbygod]

3. Why would we want to own all branches?

Once the repubs are off the hook we get ALL the blame. Besides, there is a lot of moronic
crap that could get forced on us that would piss off about 70% of current Democrats...things
like banning handguns and other blue collar issues that are hamstrung right now.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

4. LOL

:nopity: