My opinion is similar but not identical to others here. We’re in a very unusual election which may realign traditional voting patterns, and there could more ticket-splitting than normal.
I think that Mark Kirk of Illinois and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin are underdogs, but not necessarily lost causes. Kirk’s posturing may pay off in the hoity-toity Chicago suburbs. I definitely don’t want Congresswoman Tammy Durkworth in the Senate. She could become a candidate for national office. That makes her dangerous, while Kirk is merely annoying.
Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire has a knack of beating the odds and over-performing at the polls. Her opponent, Governor Maggie Hassan, has never faced a really tough opponent.
Patrick Toomey will win unless Trump loses Pennsylvania by a large margin. Toomey’s opponent is less-than-impressive.
Rob Portman is getting unexpected help fro the MSM, partly for being a good father if not a good Senator. Ex-Governor Ted Strickland is being called for his vulgar remark about Antonin Scalia’s death. Imagine that coming from a former Christian pastor.
I think Rubio will win because whichever Democrat he faces will emerge from a bitter primary damaged.
Richard Burr of North Carolina is to be watched. His record is less-than-impressive and he reminds me of Elizabeth Dole, overconfident and looking stronger than he actually is.
I think that Joe Heck will give Republicans a pickup in Nevada, though it’ll be close. His opponent has little appeal outside of Las Vegas. I look forward to seeing Nevada voters spit in Harry Reid’s eye electorally.
In CA, I fear that state AG Kamala Harris will be the next radical Senator, even worse than the retiring Barbara Boxer. I don’t care how beautiful Harris is, she’ll be a leftward anchor by herself.
There will likely be an upset or two out there, but it’s too early to say where.
I don’t envision voting patterns being “realigned” in any major way or much more than usual ticket splitting.
Any “upsets” would probably be horrible news for us cause CO is the only other rat seat remotely in play. What would come next, OR and WA?
Cali Republicans could elect Sanchez over Harris if they wanted to but there’s no sign there’s any motivation to do that. As distasteful as it is they damn well should.