That is incorrect. 18 rat seats and 15 Republican seats are up for grabs. Of those 9 rep and 8 rat seats are safe. That means 10 rat seats and 6 Rep seats are available to steal. Of those a few are toss ups right now but it's too early to get worried and IMO reasonable to be optimistic about us adding seats.
The big problem is that beyond the religious right and ultra party loyalists the GOP senate just won't get much support from the traditional republican base - especially with small government and fiscal conservatives.
Much of the base is also motivated by fear of the rats. Although they may not approve of all the GOP has and is doing, they are practical people and understand the election is not just a referendum on the GOP but a choice between imperfection and the pure evil of the rats.
There maybe some far right conservatives who abandon the party but those voters have been and will be replaced by moderates who are disenchanted with the rats, and enamored with Dubya's taxcuts, foreign policy, and ethical maturity, even if they don't agree with him on every issue.
The GOP's attempt to win the hearts and minds of the traditional democratic voters by implementing endless socialism handouts won't work as liberals will always hate republicans.
Dubya never tried to get traditional rats to vote for him. He tried to get moderates to vote for him or stay home and not vote for rats by utilizing issues like defense of the nation, letting people keep more of their money, gay marriage, and right to life. Looks like it worked pretty well to me. We are finally in a place to make real and lasting change by putting good men on the SCOTUS. The results will endure for generations. This is an exciting time to be a Republican.
"We are finally in a place to make real and lasting change by putting good men on the SCOTUS. The results will endure for generations. This is an exciting time to be a Republican."
I could not agree more. I have my eye on the prize.
That is wishful thinking. But even if it is true, if the moderates vote like democrats, what have you really won?
Frankly, I agree that for the segment of the party who values overturning Roe V Wade or opposition to gay marriage as the most important issue, this probably is an exciting time.
For those however, that see property rights, securing the border fighting back socialism and reigning in the size and scope of the government as important issue, it is a very scary and depressing time. In Georgia, the GOP was able to get an amendment on the ballot to ban gay marriage in record time. However, after the eminent domain decision there the GOP leadership assured the public that there was no need for an amendment protecting property rights as the government would never abuse its power.
At this rate, the GOP will soon be a religious and morality party only.