Dems closing in on 60 seats in the Senate
By evanslf
@evanslf (484)
October 14, 2008 6:21am CST
Until recently, it was unthinkable that the Dems would gain a fillibuster proof majority in the senate, 60 seats. But recent polling suggests that they are on target to gain 58-59 with three other races highly competitive, but with the Republicans fractionally ahead. So the chances of the Dems gaining 60 seats is now a real possibility, even if at this point I would still say it is not quite 50-50.
What do you think about this? Should Obama win and the Dems control Congress with 60 seats in the Senate, the Dems would be able to pass their legislation. Would this be a good thing - might it allow Congress to do something for once or will it be a bad thing, in that the Dems will not have any checks and balances against their majority. Will this allow the new Obama administration (if elected) to get things done or will the Dems fall into the trap of hubris as Clinton did and was punished back in 1994? What are your views?
2 people like this
2 responses
@ClarusVisum (2163)
• United States
14 Oct 08
Fivethirtyeight's projecting a 30% chance of 60 seats in the Senate, in case you're wondering:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5ieXw28ZUpg/SPSIC0S1WSI/AAAAAAAAAVE/XqEMYFGd-uQ/S1600-R/1014_sensco.PNG
I've never found a site that is NEARLY as hardcore as this one with statistics and analysis, so that probably a pretty accurate number.
2 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
12 Nov 08
It's now exactly a week since Obama was elected as our new President and there are still three Senate seats up for grabs. IF the Democrats take all three, they'll reach that magic number of 60. They definitely have a shot at it, with one run-off coming up, one recount and one where there are still over 50,000 votes outstanding.
As a Democrat who has admittedly been quite unhappy with the way things have gone for the past eight years I have to admit a big part of me is really hoping for this to happen but I also realize it carries its risks. I honestly and sincerely hope the Democrats use their new-found power wisely, whether they get a filibuster proof majority or have 57-59 Senate seats along with their increased majority in the House. They can't allow themselves to become arrogant and think they can have everything exactly as they want it. I'm hopeful they've learned from what's happened in the past with both parties when they've been in power. If they haven't they'll pay the price in the next election.
Annie
