‘Perfect storm’ could give Dems ‘magic 60’ in Senate
In the face of an economy in crisis and a deeply unpopular president, some analysts believe the situation is ripe to give Democrats a shot at a 60-seat filibuster-proof majority in the Senate in November.
It’s “the perfect storm,” said Stuart Rothenberg, editor of the nonpartisan Rothenberg Political Report. “You’ve got Republican voters angry at Republicans, many Americans just petrified about the future…wanting change. And right now change appears to be coming in the form of Democrats.”
Not so fast, say Republicans. And even Democrats admit it’s too early to say whether they can pick up the necessary seats.
According to Rebecca Fisher, a spokeswoman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Republicans are confident that they will, at the very least, keep their current seats.
Of the 35 Senate seats on the line this year, 23 are held by Republicans. Five Republican senators are retiring: Pete Domenici of New Mexico, Wayne Allard of Colorado, John Warner of Virginia, Larry Craig of Idaho and Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.
Democrats control the Senate. Although it’s split evenly with 49 Democrats and 49 Republicans, two independents — Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Joe Lieberman of Connecticut — caucus with the Democrats.
This really scares me, no matter which party it is. I like for the president and Congress to be at adds. This way, only the important laws get passed.
