Posted on 11/10/2009 1:08:07 PM PST by mtnwmn
After struggling for two consecutive cycles on the Senate battlefield, Republicans seem poised to make a comeback in 2010. With 37 seats up for grabs — and Democrats defending 19 of them — the GOP is flexing its muscles in Democratic-leaning states like Delaware, Connecticut and Illinois. Recruiting coups by National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn of Texas are one big reason Republicans feel a new sense of confidence. Democrats, meanwhile, are taking on an increasingly defensive crouch as the party in power, which must defend President Barack Obama’s ambitious — and expensive — agenda.
Without further ado, here is POLITICO’s list of the 10 best pickup opportunities among next year’s Senate contests.
Delaware
Republicans turned Delaware into their top pickup target when they nabbed Rep. Mike Castle, the state’s nine-term moderate congressman, to run for the open seat. Delaware remains a deeply Democratic state, with Vice President Joe Biden — the former occupant of the seat in question — as the state’s political godfather. But Democrats and Republicans agree that Castle is the only Republican in the state who could make this a real race. Now all eyes are on Biden’s son, Democratic Attorney General Beau Biden, who is said to be leaning toward a run.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
If the GOP can hold Ohio, Kentucky and Missouri and pick up the remaining seven in play, it would be great!
I don't understand why Arkansas (Blanche Lincoln) and Louisiana (Mary Landreiu) aren't on the list, though. A serious challenge should send both of these weak sisters packing as well. Netting the seven plus these two would weaken the RAT majority to 51-49 and put us in position to flip Joe Lieberman and Ben Nelson.
Go Toomey. It’s almost as if fate requires a Specter Toomey fight. Maybe in the octagon, it could be better.
Louisiana (Mary Landreiu)
I thought she didn’t go up until 2014.
Or count your Hatches (or other RINOs) before they chicken.........
All the Republicans are talking tough right now but too many of them will wither when the first bit of pressure is put on them.
Jennifer Brunner has a ACORN necktie hanging on her (remember Karyn Gillette?).
“I’m not sure Republicans ran anybody in the last race in Arkansas.”
They did. He wasn’t very impressive in his debates with her. Kinda like deer in the headlights. I think he was underwhelming as a candidate.
He may be a nice guy personally, but he was way in over his head with the senate race.
My good friend is a prosecutor in the children services department, she says Strickland has made a mess of their division. That surprised me since he is a Dem, I expected him to be throwing money at them, not so.
The article says the daughter of former Gov and former Sen Carnahan is running and already has some $3M in the bank, and will run V. Blount. I guess MO likes dynasties.
“His son was a one-term, rather unpopular governor...”
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Only with the leftists, fully onboard with the socialism he was trying to dismantle.
My conservative household loved the guy.
I was really hoping to see Patty ‘the Brain’ Murray D-WA on the list.
Almost as much as I’d like to have seen Box-of-Rocks on it. I could take EITHER GOP candidate, as bad as one of them might be, over her.
I wonder if the republicans have a 50/50 or 49/51 will they have the testicular fortitude to demand power sharing like the Democrats when the same situation arose?
Alex...What part of: “Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.” don’t you understand or, even, recognize?
I'm not sure that we want that.we don't want Hussein to be able to run against a Republican Majority Leader or Speaker in '12.The best scenario would be for us to be able to block *everything* they propose from next November to 11/12.
I agree, if we take control of congress the republicans will save Obama the same way they saved Clinton.
Left with just a smidgen of power they along with Obama will be steamrolled in 2012.
At least we can enjoy the conservatives gains around the rest of the country.
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