l****z
发帖数: 29846 | 1 By DICK MORRIS & EILEEN MCGANN
I know we predicted Republican Senate control in 2010. Republicans did gain
seven seats and came within four of winning control. Razor thin defeats in
Colorado and Washington and unexpected thrashings in Nevada and West
Virginia proved us wrong.
But this time - honest - we are going to win!
The battlegrounds in 2012 are a lot more red and less blue than in 2010. If
we switch seats in North Dakota, Florida, Nebraska, Virginia, and Montana -
red states all - we get control by 52-48.
And the way 2012 is shaping up, Republican control is more and more likely.
Start with retirements. Kent Conrad, the North Dakota liberal twin of
retired Byron Dorgan, has announced that he won't run again. That seat is a
sure GOP pickup.
Jim Webb (D-Va) has raised very little money, speaks with ambivalence about
Obama's programs, and has not yet decided whether to run. George Allen's
announced challenge to his re-election should cool him off even further and
he'll probably drop out. Not a sure pickup but, if the Republican Party
nominates Allen -- and not some later day Christine O'Donnell - we should be
all right.
Herbert Kohl, the Wisconsin Democratic octogenarian, may also not run. He
hasn't raised money but did lend his campaign $1 million to fill up his bank
account. But loans can be repaid. Kohl may well retire. Defeated
Democratic Senator Russ Feingold may challenge him in a primary, hastening
his exit. Not a sure pickup, but in a state which went so heavily
Republican in 2010 (the GOP captured the governorship, both houses of the
legislature, a Senate seat, and more House members) it's a likely Republican
gain.
The Nelsons (Bill of Florida and Ben of Nebraska) both face tough challenges
from strong candidates in red states. Who knows if they will really run?
Ben Nelson has to have the model of Arkansas' Blanche Lincoln firmly in his
mind. He needs to quit before he gets thrown out.
Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), a former client, may not run again especially since
his state lurched sharply to the right in 2010.
And, in Montana, Democrat John Tester, who won by less than one point in
2006, is an easy target in a very red state.
So rate North Dakota, Nebraska, Virginia, Montana as very likely Republican
victories.
But we won't stop there. Wisconsin - against either Kohl or Feingold - is a
good pickup prospect. Bob Casey (D-Pa) can be beaten as can Sherrod Brown
(D-Ohio). Bill Nelson (D-Fla) probably won't win again and Claire McCaskill
(D-Mo) will likely lose to former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman. And
Republicans have a good shot against Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich).
Joe Manchin (D-WV) faces mounting scandals and his failure to make good on
his promise to vote like a Republican may cost him his seat. And Bob
Menendez (D-NJ), the single sleaziest member of the Senate, may face a
challenge in a state whose GOP is animated by its Republican governor Chris
Christie.
It should be a happy election season! |
|
