tomorrow is such a long time (2006 elections)

[mdmc]

The 2006 election is not going to be stellar for us. I can’t think of a GOP House or Senate seat that we have a great chance of taking. Today, we cannot capitalize on the middle ground. We should filibuster and seek CHiMPeachment. We should oppose war with Iran. We need to define our progressive selves. Anything less is uncivilized.

This weekend I spent some time at my old stomping grounds, DU. I used to be at DU everyday hyping up Dean or ranting against war. I recently got some time to come back and join in the discussions.

I am amazed at how many political scientist think that we (loosely, the progressives, specifically, the Democrats) are going to clean up in 2006. I am amazed that DU thinks that the Dems can gain significant ground in 2006.

I am sure that we will gain ground. How the hell could we loose any more power? Any further reduction of our power would almost certainly lead to a populist revolt in mainstream America, but I digress.

We will gain ground, but we will not pick up any seats in the Senate. We will not will the House. We will gain power, but be unable to stop pre-emptive wars or empire building. To me, 2008 seems like a chance for the GOP to jump back to the middle. In 2008 what are the Dems going to do? We can’t get any more “middle” than we are right now. Are we going to slide to the progressive left?

Anyway, 2006 is not going to be stellar for us. If you know one poachable Senate or House seat, please be kind enough to list it here and why you think the Dems can win it. For instance, in NYS, Sue Kelly could be beat, if the Dems were serious. Lets get serious!

[Talismom]

1. How about Santorum's and DeLay's seats? n/t

[mdmc]

2. I don't know anything about those seats.

I had assumed that they would be solid republican districts. These criminals will get reelected, or other pukes will run and win. Am I wrong?

I think that NYS has three poachable seats in the house. I know that Sue Kelly could be beat...

[Talismom]

4. Every poll I've seen about Rick Man-on-Dog Santorum has him loosing

BIG! I suspect there might be a few others.

[mdmc]

7. losing to whom?

are the Dems running someone that can win? This "someone" isn't progressive, is (s)he?

[meganmonkey]

5. Santorum is in bad shape

Casey has a winning chance - I happen to be in Pennsylvania right now visiting my sister and we were just talking about it!

[mdmc]

9. Cool!

Santorum losing would make my century!

[Greeby]

3. Don't forget the Abramoff factor

Quite a few incumbents could be unseated wayyy ahead of time :popcorn:

You wanna make a start? The special election for Cunningham's seat is coming up sometime

[Innocent Smith]

8. Yes!

Depending upon how it plays out the Abramoff scandal could completely change the dynamics and cause a blow-out year.

[mdmc]

11. hey now

welcome to DU! We could make major gains!

[mdmc]

10. If folks are put in jail, all is good.

There won't be uch backlash from the voters, me thinks.

[Innocent Smith]

6. minor pickups probable

Santorum will more likely lose than win. He is in big trouble. The Repubs will probably lose a couple of seats in the Senate and a few more than that in the house. They are at their high water mark right now - holding even more seats than the 1994 blow out year for them. Also this is 6th year of Bush's Presidency and the out-of-power party does better than usually in those years.

[mdmc]

12. good points

good to have you here! :kick:

[sallyseven]

13. The democrats shoud use the phrase

corrupt republicans all the time. Bad people. Nasty people, mean people. Let it sink in. Over and Over again. Pull a far right game. Lie all the time.

[mdmc]

14. harsh choice of words...

but I don't think that they constitute "lies".

[Nikki Stone1]

15. Do you have anything constructive that you would like us to do, or are you

just venting?

[KingFlorez]

16. There are plenty of opportunities

The outlook really is good for Democrats. There are quite few House and Senate seats on the line that we could pick up.

[Daylin Byak]

17. DeLay's district is not "solid"

In 2004 he only got 55% of the votes and how DeLay's luck is going and with Nick Lampson as his oppinent, it's looking pretty good.