NYT: New Hope for Democrats in Bid for Senate

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/28/us/politics/28senate.html?hp&ex=1159416000&en=582f125a7c4abeb0&ei=5094&partner=homepage

Six weeks before Election Day, the Democrats suddenly face a map with unexpected opportunities in their battle for control of the Senate.

In Virginia, a state that few expected to be seriously competitive, Senator George Allen, a Republican, looks newly vulnerable after a series of controversies over his racial views, strategists in both parties say. In Tennessee, another Southern state long considered safely red, Representative Harold E. Ford Jr., a Democrat, has run a strong campaign that has kept that state in contention.

Elsewhere, Democratic challengers are either ahead or neck and neck in five states held by the Republicans — Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island — according to political strategists in both parties and the latest polls.

All of these races could shift direction in a matter of days, let alone six weeks, and Republicans are counting on their superior finances and large blocks of television advertising to hold the line. Democrats also have their own vulnerabilities, particularly in New Jersey, where Senator Robert D. Menendez has run behind his Republican challenger, State Senator Thomas H. Kean Jr., in recent polls.

[babylonsister]

1. What's this "new hope" crap? I'm so tired of all the spin, from everyone!

:crazy:

[woldnewton]

3. I think they're referring to the fact that...

Dems ought to have states like Maine, Rhode Island, and New Jersey sewn up...

and though they will win New Jersey (but it will be close), they won't win Maine (um... how could they blow this one? Do the Dems know how anti-Bush this state is?) and they may or may not win RI...


their only hopes to pick up enough seats to put them to the magical *51* number or more is in states like Virginia, Tennessee, in Arizona instead of states like Maine where it seemingly should be a no-brainer that they might have had a chance to take back, if only Tom Andrews had thrown in hat on November 3rd, 2004.

[fujiyama]

4. The thing to keep in mind with Maine

is that they like their incumbent senators and have been duped into believing they are moderate (though in the end they almost always join with the administration). It's similar with RI, though part of his popularity may come from his father...

[woldnewton]

5. 'Duped'...? I thought Mainers were smarter...

and a bit more independent than that...

Tom Andrews told me he "didn't even have time to think about it"... who's fault is that?

[applegrove]

2. Sounds great. What is wrong with great news. Oh and by the by - ignore

the polls for the most part. The networks cannot match poll results so there is too much bullshit out there. RULE OF THUMB: ignore poll results. Assume Dems have a better chance than 2004.

TDS did a piece on polls and all-over they are.

[joefree1]

6. Damn straight, repukes already got that elephant caught ...

in the headlights look. The very few times I see a Bush sticker anymore the poor freetard usually has two, three, or four of them like they're making up for the lack of supporters.