Democrats buoyed by Senate chances, GOP confident of holding control

[papau]

So the Chicago Tribune's Zuckman reports some see Democratic Party control of the Senate after 11/04 as "looking up" - a combination of vulnerable incumbents, bruising GOP primaries, and unexpected retirements - (and we have) - a small chance of taking back the Senate,

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0403290338mar29,1,7360459.story


Democrats buoyed by Senate chances, GOP confident of holding control

By Jill Zuckman Washington Bureau Published March 29, 2004

WASHINGTON -- The Democratic campaign to take back the Senate looked nearly impossible just a few months ago.

Republicans were poised to assert their claim to five Southern seats held by Democrats who are retiring. They planned to vigorously challenge Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle in South Dakota. And their incumbents appeared powerful.

Only Illinois offered Democrats a glimmer of hope with the retirement of Republican Sen. Peter Fitzgerald.

Suddenly, the picture has changed.<snip>

(GOP problems in Colorado/Oklahoma/Alaska are in play in addition to Dem possible problems in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Louisiana albeit Dem's only conceed a major problen in Georgia, plus a big Dem win might help Missouri, South Dakota and Illinois results).

[mndemocrat_29]

1. Now with Denise Majette in the Georgia race

We have a good shot at all five Southern seats (albeit Georgia still looks like the most likely to turn).

[NewJerseyDem]

2. Majette is probably too liberal

She has a solid liberal voting record in the House of Representatives and I seriously doubt that Georgia will elect her to the Senate. However, at least it will make the race a little more interesting.

[derekoja]

4. Gary Leshaw is the most viable candidate

Denise Majette was a great congresswoman, but her entry into the Senate race is not a good idea.

Gary Leshaw is still the best, most qualified candidate--he's been working for the people of Georgia for over 30 years, and will continue to do so in the Senate.

[Cuban_Liberal]

3. Illinois' seat is ours to lose.

The Republicans are in the midst of a civil war, they've nominated a wealthy, but terribly inexperienced candidate who happens to share the same surname as our recently-indicted former governor, etc., while we have nominated a young, handsome, progressive and articulate state senator who is former editor of the Harvard Law Review. Sen. Obama also has the endorsement of the late sen. Paul Simon, whose name is pure gold in Illinois' politics.

My prediction: Obama 55%, Ryan 45%.