Nine states expected to be central to battle for Senate, presidency

[alp227]

The battle for the presidency and the Senate in 2012 are deeply intertwined, with as many as nine states expected to be central to both contests.

The national map shows four competitive Senate races featuring Democratic incumbents in states that have been at or near the center of the race for the presidency in the past several elections and will be so again in the next one.

In Florida, Sen. Bill Nelson is certain to face his toughest challenge since winning his seat in 2000. Sensing his vulnerability — and the importance of the state to the White House’s 2012 electoral calculus — President Obama held a fundraising event for Nelson earlier this month and Vice President Biden will do so this week.

The story is the same in Missouri, where Sen. Claire McCaskill, a strong Obama ally, is seeking a second term, and in Ohio, where Sen. Sherrod Brown is up for reelection. Both states were heavily targeted by Obama in 2008, and they will be again by both him and the eventual Republican nominee. Ditto Michigan, where a struggling economy could complicate Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s reelection bid as well as Obama’s path to victory in the state.

Full story: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/nine_states_expected_to_be_central_to_battle_for_senate_presidency/2011/03/20/ABOXTV3_story.html

[UrbScotty]

1. Struggling economy didn't exactly "complicate" Stabenow's re-election in 2006

She does well in the polls against Republicans, even against Pete Hoekstra, who has name recognition from his recent run for governor.

Michigan leans to the left of the nation. Republicans keep targeting Michigan, but the only way I see Michigan flipping red is if several other states do so too.

[madrchsod]

2. how soon they forget dean`s 50 state strategy

oh well it`s obvious dean did`t know what he was doing.

[DFW]

3. It's amazing how Howard always gets dissed for what he did right

He got us both houses of Congress and the White House and was immediately exiled in gratitude for his efforts.

OK, and in which direction have the party's fortunes headed since he was sent to the wilderness?

[bobbolink]

4. You got it exactly. He was brilliant, and yet...... he gets silenced for his efforts.

Brilliant Democratic strategery. :puke: