Republicans poised to strengthen hold on Senate in 2004 elections

The Washington Times ^ | June16, 2003 | Donald Lambro

[bruinbirdman]

Senate Republicans are in a position to make gains in 2004 because of a combination of vulnerable Democratic seats and likely retirements, according to congressional election analysts.

While other political variables, including a weakened economy and a decline in President Bush's popularity, could influence the outcome of next year's Senate races, analysts say Republicans are favored to strengthen their hold on the Senate, which they control 51-48, with one Democratic-leaning independent.

[Joe Boucher]

Forgot one, little tommy dashole in the dakotas is up for reelection. I know I'll contribute a hundred bucks of so for any republican to beat that a-hole.
Rumor has it that he may not even run again. I('d like to see him run and get beat.

[Rudder]

Now, if we could just get rid of the RINOS: Snowe, Chaffee, McCain, Voinovich, DeWine, etc., etc.

[MichiganMan]

Republicans are favored to strengthen their hold on the Senate, which they control 51-48, with one Democratic-leaning independent.

Who are they talking about, McCain?

[Tom Bombadil]

I live in Maine and we are stuck with Snowe or some other Democrat for a long time to come.

Liberals here in Maine are too busy patting themselves on the back for our high taxes and such. There is no grass roots conservative movement here that is capable of turning things around so put your efforts somewhere else where they will do some good.

There is some hope but it only lies in a misery increase caused by Dem policies......And hoping for misery is not a good way to spend your political time.

[zebrahead]

Hey, if we win enough seats this year we won't have to worry about the RINOs at all. Four or five pick ups along with the opportunity of replacing Specter with a conservative would do the trick.

[Coop]

I still like my darkhorse prediction of a potential GOP pick-up in Hawaii if Akaka retires. :-) I honestly haven't heard if he's running, retiring or still deciding.

[sfvgt]

looks like President Bush is gonna have one hell of a second term........

[Paulus Invictus]

Let's pray (and work for it) to be true! If every Freeper in every State became active participants and leaders in the campaigns, it would help. Keep in mind, we still have to get Bush re-elected too. That is crucial and we cannot become over-confident!

[winner3000]

Jeffords.

[rhinohunter]

I still like my darkhorse prediction of a potential GOP pick-up in Hawaii if Akaka retires

Wow! You really are going out on a limb!

My darkhorse is this: If GOP wins the LA Guv race this November, Breaux will announce his retirement, making his Senate seat a ripe pickup opportunity in '04.

[zebrahead]

I have also heard some speculation involving Breaux. He's personally one of my favorite Democrats in Congress and I have heard he's become more and more discontent with being a moderate member of an increasingly liberal caucus. Some speculation has suggested he would rather leave now before the bloodbath that will surely follow if and when the GOP tightens its grip on the Senate after 2004.

[Coop]

Me? :-) I think my darkhorse has a better chance of occurring than yours.

[rhinohunter]

I have also heard some speculation involving Breaux.

Yes, I have occasionally heard the speculation about his retirement. However, the connection to the Guv race is my own innovation, as far as I know, so take it for what it's worth.

I have 2 reasons for connecting to the Guv race. First is Breaux's possible desire for the seat. I have heard rumors in the past about his interest in being Guv. If GOP wins in November, he could leave the Senate in Jan 2005, take a year or more off, then begin his fundraising in '06 for the '07 race to win back the Guv seat for the rats. If a rat wins this November, he would not have that option since he could not run against the incumbent.

My second line of reasoning has to do with Breaux's invinciblity in Louisiana. If a rat wins the Guv seat this fall, Breaux could go ahead and hold the Senate seat in '04, then when and if Breaux decides he's had enough of the Senate, he resigns and the rat Guv appoints the replacement. However, if the GOP wins this fall, he would not have this option since he would not want to turn the seat over to the GOP.

[eureka!]

Hawaii would be too sweet. In any event, too many unknowns but '04 could be a lot of fun as it appears now...

[firewalk]

.

[Impy]

I wonder if Jeffords will run as a rat in '06, or if he will just commit suicide.

[LdSentinal]

still like my darkhorse prediction of a potential GOP pick-up in Hawaii if Akaka retires. :-) I honestly haven't heard if he's running, retiring or still deciding.

I think you mean Sen. Inouye (D), who's term ends in '04. There are rumors that he might retire, especially now that his good friend, former Army Chief of Staff Shisenki (sp?), has resigned and seek his seat. Either way, the Republican field is pretty weak to capture the seat even if it's open.

[Coop]

Yep, I did mean Inouye, not Akaka. I'm surprised I missed that one. Too many Daniels out there (not exactly a traditional Hawaiian name, huh?). :-)

[Coop]

Hawaii would be too sweet.

Yeah, but don't go betting the mortgage on it!