Posted on 11/07/2018 8:40:41 AM PST by SMGFan
WASHINGTON — Votes are still being counted from Tuesday's election but a picture of the 2020 campaign is coming into focus. Republicans not only emerged with their majority intact but expanded it by at least two seats. That cushion will make it harder for Democrats to retake the chamber two years from now.
Unlike 2018, 2020 is a presidential election year in which Donald Trump will be on the ballot as he seeks a second term. Voter sentiment about the president will play a big role in determining who turns out to the polls and which party they support.
Here are six takeaways from the Senate races: The Trump effect key for Senate races in 2020 Not only did Republicans keep the Senate, they outperformed many pollsters' expectations in that chamber by trouncing Democratic incumbents in conservative states such as Missouri, North Dakota and Indiana. The president immersed himself in trying to rally support for GOP Senate candidates in the final weeks of the midterm races. He and his aides view the Senate results as a vindication of the president's power as a political force, even as Republicans lost their majority in the House. Trump's popularity with the conservative base could present daunting obstacles for Democrats trying to make inroads in red states in the 2020 Senate contests.
Map for GOP challenging but not that bad Of the 33 seats up for election, 20 are Republican. A 21st — Mississippi — will be decided by a runoff election still up for grabs in the 2018 election. Of those, only three appear to be Democratic pickup opportunities: Colorado, Iowa, and Maine. A fourth, North Carolina, could be in play given that Republican Tom Tillis is likely running for re-election to a seat Democrat Kay Hagan won in 2008.
Conversely, the GOP could flip three of the 12 Democratic seats up for election: Alabama, Michigan and New Hampshire.
With Republicans adding to their margin Tuesday, it makes it more likely the GOP will hold the Senate beyond 2020 as well.
I think partially what I will call “McCain Republicans” are having a temporary dalliance with the Democratic Party.
I think they are going to learn very quickly that the Party doesn’t care for them.
I read one analysis that said Republicans start losing district when the population density exceeds 800 people/square mile.
I find that somewhat fascinating that our political leanings change based on population density.
No Republican is going to run against McConnell. We need his leadership in the Senate.
It didn’t look well in 1982 for Reagan and look how 1984 turned out.
We will definitely retake Ala.!
It’s over. Tester won.
I see the stupid voters gave the libtard candidate just enough votes to seal the rats victory...
But maybe this was needed to ‘cleanse’ the republican party of all those never trumpers. Trump can focus on the judges for a permanent (my lifetime) change to the commonsense conservative principles. The dems will now have to work with the President if they want to show their constituency that they can actually govern. or they will show just how really stupid they are. Both work for the republicans.
I have said this often here in freeper land that the republicans need to get off their collective assess and start meaningful outreach to women, minorities, and young adult. Teach them about capitalism and why it works and why socialism doesn’t Put together educational programs that can be seen on the internet. Become aggressive in getting our message out as the dems have been doing for the past 60 + years. and do it at the local level, school districts, town hall, etc.
We are beginning to see the failures of the democrats message and it will now be on full display. We need to be ready to step in with meaningful explanations of why socialism is always a failure. We are also beginning to see a wake up of blacks and hispanics.
Yeah, that one hurts.
The lousy lying f’ing slob.
The Republicans also didn’t effectively address the pre-existing condition issue.
There should have been a lot more emphasis in noting Obamacare is what destroyed all of the previous state programs covering pre-existing conditions.
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.