Posted on 11/30/2004 10:18:30 AM PST by Hugenot
Now that President Bush has been re-elected to a second term, Republicans are already looking ahead to the midterm Senate races in 2006 and dreaming of a filibuster-proof 60-vote majority.
Some say it's a dream that could come true.
Five of the 17 Senate Democrats whose terms expire in 2006 are from states that voted for Bush. If they stay in the Republican column two years from now, the GOP could reach that magic 60 number.
For that to happen, however, Republicans have to shore up states where they may be vulnerable. Of the 33 Senate seats that will be elected in two years, 15 belong to Republicans. Three of these Republican senators are in states that went to Kerry on Election Day.
The Bush states with Democratic senators include Florida, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, and West Virginia. The blue states with sitting Republicans are Maine, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.
Could the GOP pull it off?
If President Bush continues to succeed in the war on terror, democracy begins to take hold in Iraq and the economy keeps improving at home, it's possible.
And if Democrats fail to learn from their mistakes - and continue to turn off the electorate with their soft-on-national-security policies and overwrought anti-Bush rhetoric - that can only improve the chances for GOP success.
Of the states mentioned, assuming the incumbents run, the only one which strikes me as vulnerable is Santorum. The author is on crack if he thinks the GOP has any material chance of picking up five seats.
Hopefuly there'll be a target on HRC's back.
Only if they really act like the majority party and implement conservative laws for the next two years. If they start with the 'new tone' compromising with liberals then the conservative base may not be motivated to go to the polls.
Two years is a long-time. Beginning in January, they will have no more excuses.
It doesn’t matter really. If they did get the 60 senators the Republican would whine that they don’t have 65 to get their agenda accomplished because of RINOs. They if they did have 65 senators they would sit on their hands and getting really comfortable, spending lots of money and giving amnesty to illegals.
I don't think 60 will do it. There are at least three to five (depending on the issue) unreliable Republican votes in the mix: Snowe, Collins, Chaffee, Specter, McCain.
Bush has demonstrated coattails. That's what's going to keep him from early lame-duckhood. If he's a conservative as well as compassionate, now is the time to show it. If he has political capital, there's nothing to save it for. You can't take it to heaven with you.
The Democrats never got more than 62 Senate seats at the height of their power. Realistically, the GOP is never going to get more than that number if they win ALL the seats in Red States.
The GOP has proven it doesn't know what to do with a simple majority. Why should we think they'd perform any better with a 60-vote majority?
My thoughts exactly. He did say in his press conference after the election he would spend the political capital he earned. Let's hope its a productive two years.
They could be a stupid party. Then again, maybe not. From here, my sentiment is hope springs eternal.
If W and the the GOP Congress do not start enforcing the immigration laws and cutting the runaway spending, they are going to be in for a rude awakening come November 2006!
Nebraska and Florida are certainly contestable. There is a good chance that the senator West Virginians pick to replace Byrd will be a Republican, but that might not happen in 2006.
I'm not so sure about that. There is a great book out entitled "The Right Nation" by two well-regarded British authors (both left of center). They argue quite persuasively that there is an historic demographic shift to the right underway in America that could swamp the Democrats' highest historic control and influence.
Why Wait? It seems to me that the republicans should just change the rules so that it would only require a majority to end a filibuster.
If North Dakota is gonna turn over its Senator then the demonizing better start now.
There is no way they'll kick out their man.
Unfortunately two of them, Snowe and Collins, are from Maine and will win easily if they choose to run again. It's either them or dims - not much of a choice.
The once great and conservative state of Maine is now so blue it will take decades to change. Retirement to a warm red state is my only option - sad but true.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.