Senate surprise: Democrats pulling ahead in close races

By Susan Milligan, Globe Staff | April 11, 2004

WASHINGTON -- Unexpected retirements and divisive Republican primary races have turned the battle for control of the US Senate into a tossup, with November's elections shaping up as another series of excruciatingly tight contests to fill the closely divided chamber, according to campaign officials in both parties.

Democrats, who less than a year ago faced dim chances of overcoming the GOP's 51-48 majority, now lead in the polls in all seven competitive races in which head-to-head public polling has been done, a trend that would produce a gain of three Democratic seats, in Oklahoma, Colorado, and Alaska.

Control of the Senate could be critical for the next president. If Democrat John F. Kerry wins but faces a GOP-controlled Congress, it is unlikely he will be able to pass major domestic initiatives. If Bush wins reelection but is hamstrung by a Democratic-controlled Senate, he will have a more difficult time getting his judicial nominations approved.

In Oklahoma, Democrat Brad Carson's strong showing in early opinion polls could mean a gain for the Democrats and a new Native American senator. In Colorado's race to replace Republican Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Democrat Ken Salazar, leading in polls, could become the first Latino in the Senate in a quarter-century. Alaska, once a guaranteed Republican stronghold, now appears in play, with incumbent Republican Lisa Murkowski -- who replaced her father, Frank, when he became governor -- trailing slightly in the polls.

more: http://www.boston.com/news/politics/us_senate/articles/2004/04/11/senate_surprise_democrats_pulling_ahead_in_close_races/

Lotta unhappy people.

"Oh, no, we can't have that," said America. "That would be 'socialism.'"

Now we've got scores of deaths and casualties on both sides of the divide, the economy is in the shitter, and health care costs are out of this world, and yet Bush is about even with Kerry. What's with that? Too many Big Macs to think straight?

but great evidence of what we have been saying....

Kerry is going to win by a margin bigger than expected because the country will be fed up with the Bush Administration. It probably will be a close race in the polls until the last weekend like it was in 1980 and then people will decide at the last minute that it is time for a change. I also feel that if Kerry wins by a margin of more than 5 points he will certainly have a Democratic Senate and probably even the house will switch hands. It is going to be a defining election, imo--a turn the rascals out election which will benefit the Democrats.

but the House is probably beyond reach. There are many, many Republicans running for re-election and the incumbent has won in 90% of the House elections since WWII.

Early, yes. But the advantage in all seven competitive races? That's got to translate into enough wins to hold even, if not gain. I think we'll win in one or both of the Carolinas and hopefully Louisiana and Florida as well... if we win Oklahoma, Alaska, and Colorado, that will make up for whatever we lose in the South.

I'll be dancing in the streets. :-)

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we woke up Nov 3 with Kerry as president-elect and a Democratically controlled Senate!

NT

We need to shift the balance in Congress. If * wins and the repugs maintain control of Congress, I fear where this country will be after 4 more years. If * wins, but Congress shifts in one house or the other to Democrat, we at least have a chance of stopping the bleeding and maybe even reversing a few of the mistakes made by this administration.

If Kerry wins, but has a repug congress, just remember what they did to Clinton once they gained controlled. Granted some of Clinton's wounds were self inflicted, but the number of inquiries, special prosecutors and congressional investigations they employed to smear every single thing was almost treasonous. Kerry must have one house or the other to work with and counter any attacks by the RW WACKOS.

will start really rolling in from the Big Oil folks.

The Big Money will start rolling in from the corporations...

:(

We need Kerry to be elected, and a Democratic Senate to get his judicial nominees through!

Dems will roll over on judicial appointments, no matter who is in the majority, imho.

Great news!

I didn't read the full article so I don't know if they mentioned Illinois. Its almost a sure thing that Republican Peter Fitzgerald will be replaced with the progressive African-American state Senator Barak Obama. This is just revenge against the guy who ran an ugly campaign to unseat Carol Mosely-Braun.

I'm excited about the Senate now too! I hope the Dems don't squander it this time.

a trend that would produce a gain of three Democratic seats, in Oklahoma, Colorado, and Alaska.

Please tell me the OK seat would be against Inhofe. Pleeeease.