Thread: Mickey Kaus Is Voting For Barbara Boxer

Colorado and Nevada are leaning Republican, plus Kentucky and Illinois are a toss up, so only three out of Kentucky, Illinois, California, Washington, and Connecticut are needed.

I take that back, looks like Kentucky will go to Rand Paul, so only two out of Illinois, California, Washington, and Connecticut are needed, in other words I say it's a 50/50 chance.

You're right, I forgot about Illinois. Still, running the table-with the exception of one seat-is like pulling an inside straight.

Originally Posted by Shapka

I do think it's in play, but it's still a long shot. They would would have to pick up almost every competitive open seat and beat every Dem. incumbent in a tight race. Some are locks, e.g. AK, North Dakota and Indiana, while others look good, e.g. W. Va., Penn., and Wisconsin, but you still need five more in order to get to a majority.

Wait, don't the Republicans only need to pick up nine seats to take over the Senate? If all current Republican seats are kept that would be the six you list above plus three more. They will then have 50, and the Dems only 48 since there are two independents? Or are the independents allowed to vote for a Democratic leader? I don't know how that would work.

Or to pick up 10 seats to have a clear majority of 51 would be the six you list above, and four more, not five more like you posted. Colorado and Nevada which polls show lean Republican, and two more out of Illinois, California, Washington, and Connecticut, in this case it's a 50/50 chance.

If the Repubs only need to pick up 9 seats then only 1 out of Illinois, California, Washington, and Connecticut are needed, it's almost a sure bet they will get at least of of them.

The two "independents" are Bernie Sanders-an avowed socialist-and Joseph Lieberman. Both caucus with the Democrats. Even if the Republicans pick up 9 seats, Vice-President Biden would still cast the tie-breaking vote on any bill as President of the Senate.

You all have forgotten Florida and Rubio is leading 6 points in the latest poll.

Originally Posted by Shapka

The two "independents" are Bernie Sanders-an avowed socialist-and Joseph Lieberman. Both caucus with the Democrats. Even if the Republicans pick up 9 seats, Vice-President Biden would still cast the tie-breaking vote on any bill as President of the Senate.

By "caucus with the Democrats", does that mean they are allowed to vote for a Democrat Senate leader even though they are not Democrats? I don't know how those Senate rules work. If yes then as you point out have 50 Republicans is not much better than having 46 of them, the magic number is 51.

I believe in positive thinking.
Yes, we are blessed in Florida since Rubio is in the ring.
I believe we will get to 51. This last week is a butt blister to many. Now is when the gloves come off. IMHO the dems have played their best cards.

Originally Posted by USPatriot

You all have forgotten Florida and Rubio is leading 6 points in the latest poll.

That won't make a difference in terms of numbers, since he's taking the place of a Republican. That being said, Rubio will be a slight improvement, if nothing else, over the past two Republican senators in that seat, esp. Martinez.

Liberman and Sanders can vote for whoever they want to as Senate Majority Leader, but they are essentially Democrats, which is why they'll vote for a Democrat senator.