New Print Edition: Senate Overview

The new June 2, 2006 print edition of the Rothenberg Political Report is on its way to subscribers. (Click here for subscription information.)

Senate Overview – The Lay of the Land

Democrats need a net gain of six seats to get to 51 seats in the next Senate, a daunting task since only 15 Republican seats are up in November. However, given the national environment – President Bush’s terrible poll numbers, the desire for change and potentially feeble GOP turnout – Democrats could win most or all of the close races. That often happens (as it did in 1980, 1986 and 1994), and if it happens this year, Democrats could add at least four or five senators.

Right now, Democrats must hold all of their seats and win their five top opportunities to have any chance of winning a Senate majority. Even then, they would also need to win in Arizona, Tennessee or Virginia to get a sixth seat. About the only good news for Republicans is that expectations are very, very low for them.

For the entire Senate Overview including rankings of all 33 races and the Bottom Line prediction of control of the Senate..subscribe now.