The Senate in Jeopardy

American Prowler ^ | 6/17/02 | The Prowler

[Jean S]

Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe isn't sure his colleagues in the Senate can hang on in the upcoming mid-term elections. He's telling friends that while he's hopeful that Democrats can pick up seats in Arkansas (where former Sen. David Pryor's son is challenging Tim Hutchinson), New Hampshire and possibly in South Carolina, he doubts Dems will hold seats in South Dakota, Minnesota and Missouri (even though, although polling numbers indicate all three are still too close to call).

"It looks like at best we come out where we start, with barely a majority. Maybe we're back to 50-50," says a DNC analyst. "But the big one for us on a bunch of levels is South Dakota."

That's where current Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson is being challenged by Republican Rep. John Thune. "Given that it's Tom Daschle's home state, we can't afford to lose it. That would be embarrassing," says the DNC-er. "If we have to put a Democratic operative on every street corner of whatever city is actually in South Dakota to drum up votes, we'll do it. South Dakota is not loseable."

Already, according to other DNC sources, McAuliffe and his cohorts have committed close to $1 million of DNC money to make sure Thune doesn't win. But that million probably doesn't trump the many millions the Bush Administration sent South Dakota's way in the recent agriculture bill, nor will it trump the many trips George W. Bush and Dick Cheney plan to make over the next five months to stump for Thune.

Where McAuliffe is crowing, and where Republicans may regret their seeming lack of interest, is over the gubernatorial races around the country. Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and New Mexico are expected to fall into Democratic hands, ensuring that a majority of state governorships will be controlled by Democrats for the first time in almost a decade.

"Governorships used to be a big deal for Republicans, because if you controlled the governorship, your state party had a leg up for federal or national elections," says a Democratic political consultant in Chicago. "But when the dust clears, the Republicans will probably have Florida and New York, and in terms of big real estate, that's about it."

Despite the crowing of McAuliffe and the Democrats about their gubernatorial coups, these may not be as great as they think. Recall that the Bush 2000 team thought it had an advantage with all those Republican governors in Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Florida. "And couldn't to squat with them," says an RNC advance staffer.

[m1911]

If we have to put a Democratic operative on every street corner of whatever city is actually in South Dakota to drum up votes, we'll do it. South Dakota is not loseable.

How typical. We don't know anything about SD, but we'll be sure to send some people up there to make sure we don't lose it.

[eureka!]

""Given that it's Tom Daschle's home state, we can't afford to lose it. That would be embarrassing," says the DNC-er"

And for that reason there will be a lot of DNC money going there, and not elsewhere. November is so important. Oh, may there be a shellacking of the Rats at that time...

[Piquaboy]

It is the ones in the Senate that put it in Jeopardy. Such as Dasshole, McCainaic, Billary, and those of that ilk,

[anniegetyourgun]

I smell fear....downwind of Terry M....

[TontoKowalski]

"Governorships used to be a big deal for Republicans, because if you controlled the governorship, your state party had a leg up for federal or national elections," says a Democratic political consultant in Chicago. "But when the dust clears, the Republicans will probably have Florida and New York, and in terms of big real estate, that's about it."

Note for campaign chairmen of Texas Republicans: Do Texas voters know that Dimocrats don't even include you in "big real estate"?

[11th Earl of Mar]

I can't wait to see Jim Jefford's face when he realizes that the Democrats he supported do not control the Senate any more. And that the Republicans whom he betrayed, are now in charge of his committee assignments.

[rintense]

I'm willing to bet that when the Pubbies get control of the Senate, another RINO will jump ship- maybe even two if the majority is close.

[clintonh8r]

I thought it was impossible to embarrass a RAT.

[deport]

fyi.....

[linn37]

they won't pick up a seat in SC what is terry mcawful smoking? hahahahahahahahahaha I hope the Dems fire his lame a__ after this is over!

[Semper Paratus]

I smell fear....downwind of Terry M....

I fear you smelled something else.

[PJ-Comix]

"If we have to put a Democratic operative on every street corner of whatever city is actually in South Dakota to drum up votes, we'll do it. South Dakota is not loseable."

Including that Mahattan socialite who handed out free cigarettes to the homeless people on the street in exchange for them voting Demmycrat?

[MHT]

They will keep MO, gain Arkansas, but NH will go with the younger Sununu. Dole will get Helms' seat.

Sorry, but all the polls look like the Dems are going to hold onto the Senate unless something drastic happens between now and Election Day. This is just a wolf-crying pitch to get more money for their war chest.

And even if the Republicans got it by one senator, McCain would probably do a Jeffords and switch to "spice things up".

[eureka!]

'I thought it was impossible to embarrass a RAT'

Actually, it is impossible to shame a 'Rat. They do suffer a teensy weensy bit of embarassment when they are caught. ;^)

[PJ-Comix]

I can't wait to see Jim Jefford's face when he realizes that the Democrats he supported do not control the Senate any more. And that the Republicans whom he betrayed, are now in charge of his committee assignments.

Oh, the Republicans will show him that there are no hard feelings. They'll give Jeffords a committee seat....in the Senate toilet stall.

[Sloth]

...says a Democratic political consultant in Chicago. "But when the dust clears, the Republicans will probably have Florida and New York, and in terms of big real estate, that's about it."

California not big enough for you?

[TC Rider]

If we have to put a Democratic operative on every street corner of whatever city is actually in South Dakota to drum up votes, we'll do it. South Dakota is not loseable.

Someone has to pass out the cigarettes and half pints of liquer.

[dvwjr]

If I were one of the US Senate Republicans, I would milk that momement for all I coud...

[Johnny Gage]

I'll post these again for folks who may not have seen them:

Here's the links to the campaigns of both John Thune (SD)and Norm Coleman (MN)

Help John Thune defeat Dasholes butt buddy Tim Johnson

Help Norm Coleman defeat the "hilary socialist" Paul "welfare" Wellstone