Rothenberg release 2008 Senate rankings...and here they are...

I think he is being a tad conservative, Republicans are in dire straits in Colorado and New Hampshire...but looks like some great opportunities for Dems. Only one Dem seat remotely in danger - Louisiana, and he is leaning that Dem narrowly...


Toss-Up (3 R, 0 D)

* CO Open (Allard, R)
* Sununu (R-NH)
* Warner (R-VA)

Narrow Advantage for Incumbent Party (3 R, 1 D)

* Coleman (R-MN)
* Collins (R-ME)
* Landrieu (D-LA)
* Smith (R-OR)

Clear Advantage for Incumbent Party (5 R, 1 D)

* Dole (R-NC)
* Domenici (R-NM)
* Hagel (R-NE)
* Johnson (D-SD)
* McConnell (R-KY)
* Stevens (R-AK)

Currently Safe (11 R, 10 D)

* Alexander (R-TN)
* Barrasso (R-WY)
* Chambliss (R-GA)
* Cochran (R-MS)
* Cornyn (R-TX)
* Craig (R-ID)
* Enzi (R-WY)
* Graham (R-SC)
* Inhofe (R-OK)
* Roberts (R-KS)
* Sessions (R-AL)
* Baucus (D-MT)
* Biden (D-DE)
* Durbin (D-IL)
* Harkin (D-IA)
* Kerry (D-MA)
* Lautenberg (D-NJ)
* Levin (D-MI)
* Pryor (D-AR)
* Reed (D-RI)
* Rockefeller (D-WV)

http://rothenbergpoliticalreport.blogspot.com/2007/07/2008-senate-ratings.html

I don't think Ted is a lock. A local TV poll a couple of days ago showed that 65% of respondents said they would vote AGAINST Ted Stevens and Don Young next year if the investigations are still ongoing. People are sick of the corruption.

I honestly think Franken will make a tough opponent and **will** be taken seriously by the voters.

I grew up in Minnesota and they have a history of going for slightly offbeat candidates...

I would also like to brag - Al and I hail from the same home town...

what happened?

Hasn't gone Repub since 1972 in a Presidential race...

But they have had a history of putting Republicans in office...like North Dakota...

Certainly not a liberal state, but they have had 2 Dem Senators and a dem Congressman for many years...

But I think their numbers are not quite right. By my lights, Sununu's, Coleman's and Smith's seats should be "advantage to challenger". Maybe it's because there aren't challengers chosen yet. It would be so nice to grab Warner's seat.

Mark Warner is the prohibitive favorite...

another Repub who's even wingnuttier than the one we have now, or Bob "Lieberman" Kerrey. Sigh.

Minnesota use to be as blue as they come, and they give him a "narrow" advantage?

Frankly, I look at Ohio, Florida, much of the midwest and just shake my head. These are the people who are probably getting hurt the worst by bush, and the republican policies, and they are still slow to come around

It doesn't really matter how people vote there. OH may be counted honestly next year, since most of the criminals have been booted out of their offices, but FL is still fixed.

In considering who to back for president, it is important to think about the impact of the choice on these races. Which candidate is most likely to bring our voters to the polls in high enough numbers in the key states to ensure not only a Democratic president but also a Democratic senator.

Colorado, New Hampshire and Virginia -- three very different states. This is quite a challenge.

I have a hard time seeing Republicans keeping this seat. Also if and when Shaheen enters in NH that race should be lean Dem.

In Oregon the speaker of the state house is getting into the race there so we'll see what happens.