The American Spectator

home
ADVERTISEMENT
Print Email
Text Size

The Spectacle Blog

For a time it looked like the Democrats might expand their Senate majority in 2010.  But the winds of politics have started to turn towards the Republicans.  Reports National Journal:

The death of Edward Kennedy has given the Democrats a real -- if short-term -- look at life in the Senate without 60 votes. Given the worsening political environment for the party and President Obama, it looks more possible than ever that Republicans can keep Democrats under 60 in 2011-12 as well.

On paper, the GOP has more vulnerable seats on the table than do Democrats. They have to defend open seats in two states carried by Obama (Ohio and New Hampshire) and one in a state Obama barely lost (Missouri). Republicans breathed a sigh of relief when Sen. Jim Bunning, their most vulnerable incumbent, chose to retire. Even so, holding the seat isn't a slam dunk. Meanwhile, Democrats have just one open seat in real danger today (Illinois) and just one incumbent, Connecticut's Christopher Dodd, who has been running consistently behind his potential GOP opponents in polling. Both of those states, of course, are deep blue.

Yet it's also clear that as Obama's job approval ratings fall, it's taking a toll on Democratic incumbents who, earlier this year, were seen as relatively safe. New polls show Democratic Sens. Blanche Lincoln (Ark.), Michael Bennet (Colo.), Harry Reid (Nev.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.) as vulnerable. A GOP poll released in late July showed popular North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven (R) handily beating Sen. Byron Dorgan (D).

It's still 14 months till the election.  But President Barack Obama's increasing travails are likely to boost GOP fortunes.

View all comments (5) | Leave a comment

Jason Tolbert| 9.2.09 @ 3:22AM

I liked what you wrote about Blanche Lincoln. I would like to expand on it even more, by inviting everyone to come to my website. I have a complete breakdown of all the idiot republicans that are going to run against her, their antics, comments, who is stabing who in the back, etc. It is all working on increasing the reputation of the state GOP. After you read all that you will start to understand why Arkansas may end up actually putting an independent Trevor Drown into office as a US Senator. Either him or someone that the Green Party provides. Thank you.

Tim| 9.2.09 @ 10:09AM

"It's a long way to Tipperary,
It's a long way to go..."

Andy | 9.2.09 @ 11:02AM

Arlen Specter is toast too. He should be tops on the list

Mike| 9.2.09 @ 11:03AM

It sure is a long way to go...which is THE problem for our friends the "Dems." When we are attacked you will see them all running from Obama like roaches in a Chinese resturaunt when the lights are turned on.

The Real Jason Tolbert| 9.2.09 @ 1:54PM

The one above is not me. The Drowies like to post comments using other people's name to pretend they are creditable. Sad.

Leave a Comment

N.B. We encourage readers to share and discuss their thoughtful and relevant comments about this Spectator article. Comments are routinely monitored and will be deleted if profane, bigoted, or grossly impolite. Please be respectful. (And don't feed the trolls!) Thank you.

More Blog Posts by Doug Bandow

http://spectator.org/blog/2009/09/02/senate-races-turning-towards-g

ADVERTISEMENT

The Spectacle Blog

Meghan McCain Doesn't Get It

Jeffrey Lord | 1:36PM

The Paul Factor

W. James Antle, III | 1:29PM

Bain v. Solyndra

W. James Antle, III | 12:11PM

Illusionist

Yogi Love | 10:06AM

At Least He Apologized

Ross Kaminsky | 8:34AM

Gallup: Veterans Prefer Romney

W. James Antle, III | 5.28.12

SPONSORED LINKS

Special Feature

Better that we become a nation of choosers rather than beggars. Our symposium on choice from the May, 2012 issue:

A Time for Choosing

James Piereson

The Road from Serfdom

Stephen Moore and Peter Ferrara

FLASHBACK TO: 1984

Clip of the Day

Most Popular Articles

Meet the Flukes!

F. H. Buckley | 5.25.12

Terror by Any Other Name

Robert Stacy McCain | 5.29.12

The Wisconsin Turning Point

Peter Ferrara | 5.23.12

In Search of Muhammad

Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi | 5.25.12

The White House Sieve

Jed Babbin | 5.29.12

Age and Kyl

Quin Hillyer | 5.25.12

Osceola Who?

Reid Collins | 5.29.12

ADVERTISEMENT