To win the Senate, Republicans must win North Carolina. While it’s mathematically possible to take the Senate without ousting Democratic senator Kay Hagan, the chances of that happening are close to zero. For Republicans, North Carolina is necessary. It’s the key to control of the Senate.
Obama Hagan
It’s number six on my list. That is, there are five states where capturing Democratic seats appears more likely—West Virginia, South Dakota, Montana, Louisiana, Arkansas. Then comes North Carolina. Assuming Republicans don’t lose any of their own seats, those six pickups would give Republicans a 51-49 majority. And with it, the political equation in Washington would change. Republicans would be on offense, President Obama and Harry Reid on defense.
But winning in North Carolina is no cinch for Republicans. Two facts stand out. One, Hagan is extremely vulnerable. She’s a Reid follower who voted for Obamacare and most of the president’s agenda.
Whoops, a part of the article twice by mistake. Very embarrassing.
Whoever runs against Hagan, the NRA will pound her for this vote. That bill would have done nothing to stop Adam Lanza. She’s toast in NC!
Not really. You could say it's our 6th most likely pickup and thus a bellwether/#51 but it could fall or rise out of sequence depending on who the nominee is and whether he makes a blunder or not. The same is true of any other race.