Below is an overview of the Senate race in 2008. Currently the Democrats only have one seat that looks in serious jeopardy, while the Republicans appear to have between 6 and 8 seats in jeopardy. If a Democratic President is matched with a stronger majority in the Senate, and likely more Democratic seats in the House, they may finally be able to overcome Republican challenge to a lot of progressive policies supported by the majority of the American people.
Below the flip is a list of the Senate races of 2008.
Each race is listed as highly vulnerable, vulnerable, slightly vulnerable, and safe
Vulnerable Republicans
Virginia (Open Seat) - Highly Vulnerable: Mark Warner vs. Jim Gilmore in a battle against former Governor's. One Governor was touted as a potentially strong Presidential Candidate; the other one was laughed out of the GOP Republican Presidential race.
Colorado (Open Seat) - Highly Vulnerable: Colorado is a purple state, but the Democrats have been having success there lately. Democratic Mark Udall is a charismatic politician who may be difficult to characterize negatively and get away with it. This is a great chance for a Democratic pick-up, with Wayne Allard's exit.
New Hampshire (Sununu) - Highly Vulnerable: Former Governor Jeanne Shaheen has a good chance to knock of incumbent Senator John Sununu, although her husbands' efforts to smear Obama to help Hillary haven't helped her efforts.
New Mexico (Open Seat) - Highly Vulnerable: Mark Udall's cousin, Congressman Tom Udall, will face off with either Congressman Steve Pearce of Congresswoman Heather Wilson. It should be a close race.
Alaska (Stevens) - Vulnerable: If Anchorage mayor, Mark Begich runs, this should be an interesting race. Out with the old, in with the new. The question is, has Ted Stevens worn out his welcome and been too corrupted by the system?
Minnesota (Coleman) - Vulnerable: Raise your hand if you would like Al Franken in the Senate race. If I were Norm Coleman, I would pray that Franken doesn't make it out of the primary, just so he wouldn't have to face a debate where his entire record is scrutinized the way Franken has dissected his other adversaries.
Oregon (Smith) - Vulnerable: This race is vulnerable, with a declared Democrat with strong following. It is not yet highly vulnerable.
Maine (Collins) - Slightly Vulnerable: New England hasn't completely given up on moderate Republicans, and it is early to say they will remove Susan Collins without a huge Democratic wave.
Safe Republicans
Of Note
Georgia (Chambliss) - Although 2002 was somewhat close, Chambliss has the incumbent seat now, and won't be likely to face a strong challenge
Idaho (Open Seat) - Without Larry Craig mucking up this race, voters in this strong Republican State will enable even a weak Republican to win, like they did last year in the Congressional race for Idaho's 1st District.
Kentucky (McConnell) - The DSCC has so far failed to attract a big name candidate to fight the Senate Majority Leader. They need to move quickly and attract a big name if they hope to unseat a big name Republican in a Red State.
Nebraska (Open Seat) - With popular former governor and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns expecting to run, this is probably a lost race. After Chuck Hagel retired, there was speculation that former Senator/Governor Bob Kerrey would get into the race, but that is unlikely now. Johanns is one of the only major Bush Administration secretaries that seem to have avoided major scandal and public scorn.
Oklahoma (Inhofe) - In Oklahoma, running as a Democrat without the name "Brad Henry" is probably futile, yet for a Senator who has staked his reputation on climate change skepticism and denial, this race is worth watching in the hopes that someone holds his feet to the fire and questions his motivations.
Texas (Cornyn) - His favorability numbers are slumping, but at this point the seat should still be considered safe until a big name comes in to challenge him.
The Rest
Alabama (Sessions)
Kansas (Roberts)
Mississippi (Open Seat)
Mississippi (Cochran)
North Carolina (Dole)
South Carolina (Graham)
Tennessee (Alexander)
Wyoming (Open Seat)
Wyoming (Enzi)
Vulnerable Democrats
Louisiana (Landrieu) - Highly Vulnerable: This seat is the only one where a Democrat is likely to lose. The problem is that Landrieu may try to run as Republican-light. Her recent vote against renewable energy subsidies in favor of subsidies for the oil and gas industry was an early sign that is exactly what she intends to do. It probably won't work.
South Dakota (Johnson) - Slightly Vulnerable: Right now this seat looks safe. Johnson is back in good health following his health crisis last winter. However, if Governor Mike Rounds runs, then this seat will become highly vulnerable.
Safe Democrats
Of Note
Arkansas (Pryor) - Mark Pryor is one of two Democratic Senators in what remains a Red State in Presidential races. If Huckabee is the nominee, and Arkansas trends stronger to the Republicans, Pryor might be more vulnerable, but this is still probably a safe seat.
Delaware (Biden) - We can all agree that he won't be the Democratic Nominee although he is certainly qualified. He will have no trouble keeping his Senate seat.
Montana (Baucus) - Thus far, it does not appear that moderate Democrat, Max Baucus will face a serious challenge, but that could still change, and this race should be watched.
West Virginia (Rockefeller) - Rockefeller probably won't face a serious challenge, but this seat is still on the border of safe and slightly vulnerable.
The Rest
Illinois (Durbin)
Iowa (Harkin)
Massachusetts (Kerry)
Michigan (Levin)
New Jersey (Lautenberg)
Rhode Island (Reed)
Key campaign resources
Politics1
Electoral Vote.com
National Journal Rankings
Sure, it'll take a rally of historic proportions, but it wouldn't be unprecedented, and Biden's the guy to pull it off.
According to The American Research Groups poll conducted Dec 16 - 19, 2007, Sununu now leads 52% - 41% with 7% undecided.
Sununu leads amongst Rep., 93-4, Shaheen leads amongst Dems 79-13 and amongst the critical block of Ind., Sununu leads 47-41.
This is rather disheartening but Shaheen still has time to come back. Hopefully, if Obama is the nominee, he can resurect her candidacy, especially amongst the independents, who are a critical voting block in NH and who Obama is scoring well with in the polls leading up to the NH primary.
The poll is attached.
Give it some time for them to actually start debating issues and it will close up some, lets just hope not too much.