[mwl1]

Here is what I see: we pick up NC, SC, and GA; and either FL or LA (good shot at both); and one of NV, CA or WA on the west coast; and one of SD, AR, and WI. We lose Illinois. Net = +5 minimum, could easily go higher if Dean is at the top of the ticket and economy continues to strengthen.

Bottom line is the RATS will be under assault from coast to coast and they simply do not have the resources, as the minority, to defend this many liberal incumbents and open seats.

I'd gladly settle for a Senate that is 56-43-1 or 57-42-1 or 58-41-1... will transform the federal judiciary in the 2nd Bush term.

[MainFrame65]

First, 56 or more R's would cut the heart out of the RINO group - Snowe, Collins, and Chaffee - which has been reliably voting with the D's whenever they can influence legislation by doing so. The new bargaining position would be that they would pay a price for failing to play in their own yard whenever a critical vote comes up - including clotures.

Second, the present D/R equal funding and representation on all the committees would disappear. And I think that rules might be adjusted to match the new reality.

All in all, a very good thing - and the more, the better.

[dfergu7477]

Don't be so quick to write off Illinois. I thought this seat was a lost cause, because the GOP here is so pathetic, and the RAT Chicago machine dominates the state. But if Jack Ryan is the nominee for the GOP, and the RATS select anyone other than Dan Hynes (who has statewide name recognition), this race'll be a toss-up. At the least, it won't be an automatic for the RATS--they'll have to spend a lot of time and money, here, too.