CNN "political team" predicts Obama victory, big gains for Dems; GOP strategists see Obama win

[DeepModem Mom]

November 2, 2008
Strategists predict Obama victory, big gains for Democrats
From CNN's Peter Lanier

(CNN) – With only two days until Election Day, campaign insiders offered up their predictions for how the general election and congressional races will unfold. Speaking on Sunday to CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, the best political team made the following forecasts:

James Carville, Democratic Strategist: Barack Obama takes the election by winning 365 electoral votes; the Democrats pick up 9 Senate seats and 27 House seats.

Leslie Sanchez, Republican Strategist: If John McCain is within four points of Obama in the final polls, there’s a chance for a McCain win. The Democrats won’t pick up 9 Senate seats because Sen. Norm Coleman will beat Al Franken in the Minnesota Senate race.

Paul Begala, Democratic Strategist: Obama wins with a minimum of 325 electoral votes. The Democrats pick up 7 or 8 Senate seats, which gives them the freedom to kick Joe Lieberman out of the Democratic caucus.

Alex Castellanos, Republican Strategist: Obama wins with 318 electoral votes, which he gains by carrying Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada. McCain wins Ohio and North Carolina. The Democrats wind up with 59 Senate seats, but Sen. Mary Landrieu, D- Louisiana, loses her re-election bid.

David Gergen, CNN Senior Political Analyst: Obama wins with 338 electoral votes, give or take 20. The Democrats pick up 8 Senate seats.

Ed Rollins, Republican Strategist: Obama wins with 352 electoral votes, including Florida, North Carolina, and Ohio. Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-North Carolina, loses her re-election bid to Democratic challenger Kay Hagan.

Hilary Rosen, CNN Political Contributor: Obama wins 333 votes — all the states John Kerry won in 2004, plus Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Virginia, North Carolina, New Hampshire and Iowa. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, loses his seat to Democrat Bruce Lunsford.

(NOTE OF CORRECTION: John Kerry won New Hampshire in '04.)

Donna Brazile, Democratic Strategist: Obama would have 291 electoral votes if the election were today, but makes gains by election night to win the presidency with 343. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-Louisiana, wins her re-election bid, and Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Georgia, may lose in Georgia....

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/02/strategists-predict-obama-victory-big-gains-for-democrats/

[NHDEMFORLIFE]

1. Nice; one correction

Someone should let Hilary Rosen know that Kerry won NH in 2004. It was close, but we were blue.

[DeepModem Mom]

7. Thanks! I didn't notice that, and have edited in a correction. nt

[dascientist]

2. what are the narcotics that Leslie Sanchez used?

[Democat]

5. Same stuff Palin is smoking?

Something imported from Alaska, perhaps?

[WritingIsMyReligion]

3. Rosen thinks McConnell will tank?

Jesus God, I hope so.

:rofl::rofl:

[MarianJack]

4. One little nit-picky point here.

WHY do so many of these "professional experts" seem to keep forgetting that John Kerry won New Hanpshire in 2004?

Shouldn't they at least have the numbers that have already happened right?

[DeepModem Mom]

8. You're right. I've edited in a correction to the OP. See post 7. nt

[Two Sheds]

6. Castellanos is way wrong about the LA Senate race

Landrieu will win comfortably.