2010...what are the odds that Republicans regain control one r both of the two chambers of congress?

[Cash_thatswhatiwant]

Does anyone know whether or not there is a good, medium or poor chaance that this could happen? If the economy doesn't recover until after that time, do you think they can regain control? How vulnerable are the Democratic seats vs Republican seats...or do we not know that yet because people haven't announced?

[alwysdrunk]

1. Historically there is a pretty good chance

I believe that the party opposite the President always gains seats in the first midterm. The last time it didn't happen was 2002 under Bush. The last time before that was 1934.

Also, there is basically no way the economy will be recovered by November 2010. We hope that it will be at least starting to recover and the new economic measures are starting to have an effect by then.

[onenote]

13. there's a good chance, based on history, that they'll pick up seats, but not enough

to retake the majority in either house, at least not at this point

[glowing]

2. Not very likely. Especially in the house.. AND a lot of big wig R's are

retiring in the Senate. Which means free-for-all in those states, including mine. Mel Martinez is giving it up and Jeb say's no. Should be an interesting battle between that and the Gov. seat.

[Lasher]

3. That's what happened during the Clinton administration after the first 2 years.

But that followed a bungled opportunity to deliver universal health care, or anything else moving in that direction. And a price was paid for having enacted gun control legislation.

[elleng]

4. and reps had gingrich.

no such 'saint' in sight now.

[Lasher]

6. Yes, that is true.

I'm not predicting a congressional takeover by the GOP in 2010, I think Democrats will retain control or even gain. I was just sayin'.

[mwb970]

5. I expect at least one more round of purging Republicans.

At this point, the more Republicans we can get out of government, the better off the nation is. If they want to rebuild their party and come back with sensible statements of their ideas (and much higher-quality messengers) I'm ready to listen. But what the Republican Party has turned into is a putrid, decaying mass of corruption and lies. The current Republicans in Congress are worse than useless. The American people see that and will send a bunch more of them (including Michele Bachmann, please God) packing in 2010.

[AwakeAtLast]

8. I expect that, too.

The GOP doesn't have a very deep list of qualified people without indictment records. :D

[mmonk]

7. Zero if we do something about what happened through the bush years.

Good if we allow the truth to remain hidden and lies to become truth as we have so far.

[ejpoeta]

9. i think it depends on how the next 2 years go.

if things start turning around in the economy, perhaps the dems will keep control. the dems are very vulnerable because they are too busy worrying about upsetting the republicans to actually DO anything.

[Vinca]

10. It could go either way.

If Republicans obstruct Obama when it's apparent his plans are working, they'll lose more seats. If Obama is a giant failure (a real long shot), they could take back some seats. Considering the Republicans already announcing they aren't running again for the Senate, my money is still on the Dems.

[Pike]

11. Could go either way.

It will come down to the economy, but President Obama will need to keep US citizen's safe as well.

[onenote]

12. while its difficult to predict an unpredictabe future, it seems unlikely

It would not be much of a surprise if the repubs picked up some seats in the House, but its unlikely, short of something dramatic happening to devalue the Democratic brand under an Obama presidency in the next two years, that they could pick up enough to retake the majority.

In the Senate, history generally also suggests a few repub pick ups in the first midterm election cycle of a new presidency. However, the repubs have more seats to defend -- and more open seats because of retirements -- than the Dems, which suggests that they're unlikely to pick up enough to retake the majority in the Senate. Indeed, the conventional wisdom at this point is that the repubs would be doing well to "break even" in the Senate in 2010.

[Clio the Leo]

14. None. Get to phone banking now! NT

[wyldwolf]

15. right now - ZERO

[demodonkey]

16. Our elections are NOT SAFE.

Bad voting machines, deceptive practices designed to keep people from voting, etc. -- all are STILL WITH US like a sleeping volcano waiting to erupt.

If you do not want to that the chance that Obama's hands will be tied behind his back in 2010 due to "lost" seats in the House and Senate, SUPPORT THE ELECTION INTEGRITY ORGANIZATION OF YOUR CHOICE NOW, especially our local and state-based groups that are struggling to fight this on the ground in counties and at the state level.

We ignore these dangers to our elections at our own peril.

[Thothmes]

17. I would think that the chances are pretty slim.

But, the odds will go up if there is not some headway made in turning the economy around or a successful terrorist attack in a large American city. These are the only events that I could for see that may drive the house back into the hands of the Republicans. If bad enough, it could also cost us the Senate. If the economy is improving and we are not attacked on our own soil, I do not think that the Republicans will regain control of either chamber of Congress.

[Gothmog]

18. DCCC is focusing on keeping seats in 2010

I read that the DCCC is now focusing on keeping seats in 2010 and will put a lower emphasis on trying to pick up seats. Given the current majority, this probably makes sense

[leftofthedial]

19. about 80%

especially if the "democrats" continue following the DLC way.

[DainBramaged]

20. Give me a break......

another hidden thread.

THE SKY IS FALLING THE SKY IS FALLING