If so, that would yield a Senate next January with 53 Republicans, but right now, four of those Democrats are still wanting a serious Republican opponent. Here in California where we don’t yet whether or not Tom Campbell or Carly Fiorina will be facing Barbara Boxer, we do know that Ma’am remains at or below 50% in all polls (save when matched up with DeVore). And she’s not viewed all that favorably by her constituents.
And Ma’am’s not the only Democrat looking vulnerable, though she’s in a stronger position than her colleagues from “redder” states. Michael Barone notes that liberal blogger/polling analyst Nate Silver’s “bottom line” in analyzing the Senate races “is the same as that of Larry Sabato: at the moment, Democrats are likely to lose seven seats and pick up none.”
Five seats I pegged as winnable for the GOP are not on the list. Well, the latest polls show I was right to include Wisconsin as potential Republican pickups. Ed Morrissey reports that they show Russ Feingold trailing former Governor Tommy Thompson:
Wisconsin could be a big surprise, too. It has sent reliable liberals like Feingold and Herb Kohl to the Senate for several cycles (21 years for Kohl, 17 years for Feingold), but outside of the big college towns, the state is more conservo-populist, not unlike the Dakotas. Feingold has built a reputation for straight talk which has kept his constituents’ respect even when Feingold goes more to the left than they do.
Those days are apparently over. Not only does Feingold trail Thompson by four points, his job approval numbers have gone underwater, 47/48. The voting public has also turned more substantially away from Feingold on policy. Fifty-nine percent want to see tax cuts as a cure for a bad economy, against only 15% for more government spending. Almost two thirds (65%) reject the Democrats’ argument that the economy is improving (41% say worse, 24% says it’s the same), while only 28% believe it’s improving.
The numbers look good for Thompson–or another Republican who tosses his hat into the ring. Certainly, given the results in the Bay State last week, Republicans in the Badger State are considering this race more seriously. Let’s hope a smart state legislator or other accomplished official decides to take on the three-term Democrat. Meanwhile, let’s hope Republicans come up with strong candidates in Indiana, Washington State and New York (Gillibrand) as well.
And should these guys and gals run the tables on the Democrats and Chuck Schumer survives, well, then, I’m sure he’d make a fine Minority Leader.
“And should these gays and gals run the tables on the Democrats and Chuck Schumer survives, well, then, I’m sure he’d make a fine Minority Leader.”
Are you having a Freudian moment?
“gays and gals”?
oops. thanks for catching that islandman, fixed. 🙂
I would love to see Chuck Schumer decimated. If the war with Wall Street continues, it is possible.
Mr. Patriot
Since you live in Cal (No or So?) you are aware ( or should be) the the far left has taken over the GOP here the last 12 years. If you cannt see it from Ahnold Carly makes it very clear/ As a general rule if the GOP runs a collectivist/lefty it loses no matter how bad the Dem is. think back to 08. O was bad but GOP had the man behind McC Feingold for C***** sake! If its Carley, and the GWB/Rove machine is backing her, Mam will win and not real close.
I’m in SoCal BTW but myfamily is in NoCal.
There’s going to have to be a strong Republican to take out the very-cash-rich Feingold (who has $3.6 million in the bank). There are two no-name Republicans in the race right now:
– Dave Westlake, who has performed so poorly in the money race that he has made a public show of giving up fundraising events.
– Terrence Wall, who has put a lot of money into the race, but who has also put a lot of money into just about every politician’s race regardless of party.
The GOP needs to present competent candidates who can differentiate themselves from incumbent Dems (no RINOs) and who have the courage to confront issues that concern voters.
Here in California, I’d like to Tom Campbell run against Ma’am. I think he’s provide a real choice and maybe we could move the state GOP to the right.
California has seen the results of liberal government.
rod, I live in So Cal–wouldn’t be backing Carly if I thought she was a lefty.
If Chuck Schmer were to become Minority Leader, all the Majority would have to do is to get FOX to accompany him 24/7 with a camera crew and immediate feeds to the network. It would be like dishing out crack to an addict. Feed his need and watch him turn into Joe Biden on steroids.
what about Schumer? I saw a poll that showed his aproval rating down to 51%. He is also sposoring a bill for illegal amnesty. Remeber when Gov. Spitzer tried to give illegals drivers licenses? I am not saying he will be defeated for one thing you have to come up with a strong candidate, but, just maybe lightning will strike.
AR, CO, NV, DE, PA, ND are pretty much gone to the Republicans.
ILL, WI, NY, IN, CA are in play. It could be stunning reversals in the Democrat Senate.
The Governors Mansions are stacking up in a similar way.
Look for a liberal rout in 9 short months.