Isn't it possible the Dems will have a filibuster proof 60 seat majority in November?

[BluegrassDem]

The Delaware senate race is technically a special election, so the winner will be seated immediately after the election in November. I believe New York, West Virginia, and Illinois winners will also be seated after the election.

Now with Coons almost certain to win, the Dems may have a filibuster proof majority during the lame duck Congress to move through some stalled legislations and nominations.

I guess though Kirk winning in Illinois would kill this, but I think there's a good possibility of good things happening by the end of the year.

[still_one]

1. Not a chance. Florida does not look good, and Penn. is going to be tough /nt

[BluegrassDem]

5. Penn is not a special election

[still_one]

10. I know pennsylvania is not a special election, however, spector was a moderate, who at times

would vote with the Democrats. I just hope we win that seat

[polmaven]

16. But look at the OP's point..

the OP is talking about just the SPECIAL elections which will be seated in NOVEMBER, therefore, giving the Dems the possibility of passing some things before the end of the session in January. I don't think either PA or FL fit into that category.

[still_one]

31. Excellent point, thanks for pointing it out /nt

[DrDan]

2. no

[beyurslf]

3. It makes no difference. We had one before and failed to use it.

[emulatorloo]

7. Not exactly. LIEBERMANN BEN NELSON do not make a "60 Seat Majority"

Those guys too willing to vote with the Republicans.

[beyurslf]

29. Republicans seem to do what they want with 50 seats and a VP but we can't govern with 60?

please, we should really learn to play by their rules instead of being nice. Lieberman should have a half a closet in the basement and no staff right now. He would if he was a repub and treated them the way he treats us.

[Nite Owl]

4. Getting 60 isn't enough

the conservadems got to go.

[zipplewrath]

6. Bingo

Probably have to get to about 65 in order to avoid Lieberman, Baccus, Lincoln, and a couple of others.

[emulatorloo]

8. or the rules need to be changed, too much abuse of Cloture Votes

[Nite Owl]

14. The very same conservadems

won't vote for any changes, they think we are doing just fine as it is.

[harun]

28. Repub's are shedding their RINO's we have plenty of DINO's to

send out to pasture as well.

If we get 60 we still wouldn't be passing anything in the Senate. We have some bad bad bad apples in that bunch.

[karynnj]

9. No - all those seats are currently held by Democrats

At best, we stay at the same level we are now if we win all of them. (You forgot CO)

[JCMach1]

12. Florida was a Repug seat (Mel Martinez) so not a loss there

[karynnj]

19. You are correct, I forgot that Martinez was replaced - so that too is a special election

I guess that does mean - it could happen. It means we have to win ALL the special elections. Florida looks less promising for a Crist win than it once did. Can you imagine though if we win all the special elections and Crist wins FL, this brand new independent Senator, who was a Republican a year ago could chose to caucus with us. Either way, as long as he voted like a moderate, he could be the 60th vote.

[WhiteTara]

11. won't this be wonderful

now we just have to get out the vote! We should carry around a few forms and ask everyone we meet "Are you registered to vote?"

[Bumblebee]

13. but even in the best scenario, these are all already Dem seats to begin with

and represented in the senate as such

[Radical Activist]

15. Yes, and we may have one after January.

Kirk isn't going to win Illinois. You're going to see the undecided move into the Democratic column as the election nears. Republicans peaked too early again.

[JNelson6563]

17. If so it will be a day of mourning here at DU

Tho' I will be rejoicing with the real world Dems! :toast:

Julie

[Jamastiene]

18. Yes, it's possible, but even that won't stop us

from snatching defeat from the jaws of victory and fucking up any chance at decent legislation. The problem, still, is that never-ending cycle of timidity that is destroying just how much we COULD get done.

Until our elected leaders learn how to use that filibuster proof majority instead of kissing conservadem and Republican ass, we'll still see the slide to the right continue, unfortunately.

[Cognitive_Resonance]

21. Suggest reading David Frum's article. He makes the case from the perspective of a Republican

that the opportunity for Democrats to effect significant (progressive) change is after Pres. Obama's re-election in 2012. With a mandate the door is open for a paradigm change including sweeping legislative driven reform and reshaping the Supreme Court.

[COLGATE4]

27. K&R X1000. You hit the nail on the head!

[old mark]

20. I believe PA will go with Sestak, but I don't think the 60 votes will be a real

advantage - we will still have some "moderate" Democratic idiots to contend with...

mark

[AtomicKitten]

22. Not if that 60 is composed of a-holes like Ben Nelson, Blanche Lincoln, and Lieberman. nt

[Ter]

25. Lincoln is still a contender?

I thought she was way down in polls, no?

[AtomicKitten]

26. That's not a fait accompli quite yet but, yes, she is way down in the polls. nt

[craigmatic]

23. I hope Obama uses the chance to do a public option or get his appointees seated

[Ter]

24. Doubt it

A net gain is all but impossible.

[tavalon]

30. Oh, that would be my greatest dream

Watching a bunch of Senators tie themselves in pretzels trying to explain why they still can't (won't) get anything accomplished with a filibuster proof majority would be worth the comedy alone.