I want to thank you for a really cogent analysis about the political ramifications of this present “economic crisis”, and how amnesty for illegals may be an important component influencing the whole debate.
That is a very unique and unusual connecting of the dots. It resounds within me that there is a lot of sense to it, because as we know, nothing in DC is ever what it seems.
Yes, there has to be something more. A Congress that has been at each other’s throats for the last 7 years suddenly having a Kumbaya moment is cause for suspicion of the highest order.
We absolutely have to keep an eye of what is happening in the other races. The need to link a pro-amnesty President, like John McCain, to a pro-Amnesty Senate is a good reason why McQueeg is being foisted upon us, to the detriment of the Republican Party.
When things don’t make sense, there is a good reason.
Again, thank you for your very cogent analysis and excellent observations.
Thank you for your kind words.
If I am wrong in my analysis we will all know soon enough. I have started to dig a bit deeper to substantiate my suspicions. I've barely scratched the surface and found something of interest:
Class II of the Senate has 33 seats up for election, plus an additional seat from another Class that was vacated. Class II is the most Republican populated Class. Of the present 49 Republicans in the US Senate, twenty-one are members of Class II, with the remaining 28 Republicans seats being members of Class I (9 Republican seats) and III (19 Republican seats).
As many as 10 of the Class II Senate seats are expected to face strong challenges, 9 of which are now held by Republicans, and only one by a Democrat. Next I'll tally how these Senators of Class II voted on the two Immigration Reform Bills in the Senate last year. Since not all Republicans voted against the amnesty bills, and conversely, not all Democrats voted in favor of the bills, the actual votes will paint a clearer picture. Those results will either substantiate my claims, or shatter them. Either way, I will post the results for all to see.
Once again, very recent history tells us a pro-amnesty president is of no consequence in signing an amnesty bill if such a bill cannot be passed in the Senate. That said, the presidential race will result in a new President of the Senate (Vice-President of the United States) to cast the deciding vote in case of a tied Senate vote when such a bill resurfaces.
The race for the White House is an extremely crucial race, but the greater battle will be for the overall composition of the US Senate, including who will serve as President of the Senate.
| 34 Senate Seats Up For Election In 2008 (22 Republican - 12 Democrat) |
|
State |
|
Incumbent |
Outlook |
Amnesty Bill Votes |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Alabama |
R |
Jeff Sessions
(1997 - ) |
Considered safe seat |
|
|
| Alaska |
R |
Ted Stevens
(1968 - ) |
He will be 85 in 2008; under corruption investigation. |
|
|
| Arizona |
D |
Mark Pryor
(2003 - ) |
Considered safe seat |
|
|
| Colorado |
R |
Wayne Allard
(1997 - 2008) |
Open seat; retiring. Received 51% of votes in 2002. Candidates: former US Rep. Bob Schaffer (R) and current US Rep. Mark Udall (D) |
|
|
| Delaware |
D |
Joseph Biden
(1973 - ) |
Considered safe seat |
|
|
| Georgia |
R |
Saxby Chambliss
(2003 - ) |
Considered safe seat |
|
|
| Idaho |
R |
Larry E. Craig
(1991 - 2007) |
Was to resign amid scandal. |
|
|
| Iowa |
D |
Tom Harkin
(1985 - ) |
Considered safe seat |
|
|
| Illinois |
D |
Richard Durbin
(1997 - ) |
Considered safe seat |
|
|
| Kansas |
R |
Pat Roberts
(1997 - ) |
Considered safe seat |
|
|
| Kentucky |
R |
Mitch McConnell
(1985 - ) |
Considered safe seat; senior senator and Senate Minority Leader. Seat targeted by DNC. |
|
|
| Louisiana |
D |
Mary Landrieu
(1997 - ) |
Possible Katrina voter backlash. Received 52% of votes in 2002. |
|
|
| Maine |
R |
Susan Collins
(1997 - ) |
State leans Republican; Will be strongly contested. |
|
|
| Massachusetts |
D |
John Kerry
(1985 - ) |
Considered safe seat |
|
|
| Michigan |
D |
Carl Levin
(1979 - ) |
Considered safe seat |
|
|
| Minnesota |
R |
Norm Coleman
(2003 - ) |
State leans Republican. Received 50% of votes in 2002. Candidates: author and former radio talk show host Al Franken (D) DNC Targeted |
|
|
| Mississippi |
R |
Thad Cochran
(1979 - ) |
Considered safe seat |
|
|
| Montana |
D |
Max Baucus
(1978 - ) |
Considered safe seat |
|
|
| New Jersey |
D |
Frank R. Lautenberg
(1982-2001, 2003-) |
Considered safe Democratic seat; will be 84 in 2008 |
|
|
| North Carolina |
R |
Elizabeth Dole
(2003 - ) |
State leans Republican; Received 54% of votes in 2002. Could be targeted by DNC |
|
|
| Nebraska |
R |
Chuck Hagel
(1997 - ) |
Considered safe seat |
|
|
| New Hampshire |
R |
John E. Sununu
(2003 - ) |
State leans Republican |
|
|
| New Mexico |
R |
Pete Domenici
(1973 - ) |
Will not run; implicated in US Attorneys firings. |
|
|
| Oklahoma |
R |
James M. Inhofe
(1994 - ) |
Considered safe seat |
|
|
| Oregon |
R |
Gordon H. Smith
(1997 - ) |
Received 56% of votes in 2002. May be targeted by DNC |
|
|
| Rhode Island |
D |
Jack Reed
(1997 - ) |
Considered safe seat |
|
|
| South Carolina |
R |
Lindsey Graham
(2003 - ) |
Considered safe seat |
|
|
| South Dakota |
D |
Tim Johnson
(1997 - ) |
Considered safe Democratic seat; Health issues |
|
|
| Tennessee |
R |
Lamar Alexander
(2003 - ) |
Considered safe seat |
|
|
| Texas |
R |
John Cornyn
(2002 - ) |
Considered safe seat |
|
|
| Virginia |
R |
John W. Warner
(1979 - 2008) |
Will not run |
|
|
| West Virginia |
D |
Jay Rockefeller IV
(1985 - ) |
Considered safe seat |
|
|
| Wyoming |
R |
Michael B. Enzi
(1997 - ) |
Considered safe seat |
|
|
| Wyoming |
R |
John Barrasso
(2007) |
State leans strongly Republican; Special election to fill seat vacated by death of Craig Thomas |
|
|
|
| |
May have heavily contested races 9 Republican - 1 Democrat |
|