And you thought 2006 was a landslide

We have been taught over the years that all politics in local.  In 2006, however, the midterm elections became a national referendum on the party responsible for the Iraq war, corruption and mismanagement.  As political scientist Stuart Rothenberg notes, while the presidential election will be front and center, so too will be the race for majority in the US Senate.  22 of the 34 Senate seats up for grabs are Republican:

The National Republican Senatorial Committee starts out with threemigraines — New Hampshire and open seats in Colorado and Virginia. Bythe end of the year, Democratic candidates could be running ahead inballot tests in all three states.

Three other states whereRepublicans lead seem headed for tight races: Maine, Minnesota andOregon. All three states lean Democratic in presidential races, and theGOP’s weak national standing increases the risk for Sens. Susan Collins(Maine), Norm Coleman (Minn.) and Gordon Smith (Ore.), each of whomwould likely win re-election comfortably in a neutral politicalenvironment.

In addition, the uncertainty about Nebraska, whereSen. Chuck Hagel is less than even money to run for re-election, andquestions about New Mexico and Alaska, where incumbents long assumed tobe safe have ethics clouds hanging over their heads, make a Democraticgain of five to seven seats a serious possibility next year.

The Democrats will face tough challenges in Louisiana and South Dakota.  If they can win those two, we are looking at the possibility of them picking up somewhere between three and nine Senate seats.  Nine additional seats would give the Democrats 59 total, which pretty much assures their being able to force cloture on every measure.  With a Democrat in the White House as well, so much could get done between 2009 and the end of 2010, when the next congressional elections are held.

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[notasmithfan]

Know anyone in Oregon?

We’ve got conservative Republican U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith on the ropes here in Oregon, but we need your help to keep him there.

Find an issue on StopGordonSmith.com that appeals to your family and friends in Oregon. Copy and paste the web link, email it to them and encourage them to join our campaign to Stop Gordon Smith.

-Anti-Choice: Smith has earned a 15% score from pro-choice advocates.
-Voting 90% with President Bush: Yes, Smith agrees with 9 out of 10 decisions this president makes!
-Anti-Environment: Smith has earned a 14% score from environmental advocates.
-Veterans Record: Smith earned a failing, 40% score from Disabled American Veterans.

Thank you for your help!

http://www.stopgordonsmith.com