Senate News & Analysis

June 11, 2010 Senate Overview

by Stuart Rothenberg June 11, 2010 · 3:00 PM EDT

Democrats and Republicans are each defending 18 seats going into the fall elections, but the national landscape has tilted the battlefield dramatically to the Republicans’ advantage. If the focus in November is on unemployment and the failure of the Obama Administration to handle big issues (e.g., the economy, the…

In the Delta, Everyone’s Buzzing About Barbour

by Stuart Rothenberg June 10, 2010 · 8:59 AM EDT

GREENVILLE, Miss. — Politically interested folks in the Mississippi Delta spent the last few days of May wondering about whether Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln will survive today’s Democratic runoff against Lt. Gov. Bill Halter and whether Democratic Rep. Travis Childers of Mississippi’s 1st district can win in a Republican…

Tuesday Showed It’s Wise to Expect Unexpected

May 21, 2010 · 11:33 AM EDT

What a really weird week.

Rep. Mark Souder, a socially conservative Republican from Indiana, admits he had an affair with a staffer and steps down from his seat. Squeaky-clean Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (D) admits he “misspoke” about his military record but says he won’t allow anyone…

Is It Time for Democrats to Shove Giannoulias Out?

by Stuart Rothenberg May 20, 2010 · 9:00 AM EDT

The clock is starting to run out on Democrats who would like Illinois state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias out of his state’s Senate race in favor of a more electable candidate.

Given the sensitivity of such a scenario, it’s no wonder that Democrats don’t want to be anywhere near…

GOP Still Shy of Races in Play to Win Majority

May 18, 2010 · 3:00 PM EDT

With less than six months until voters go to the polls, almost all of the most vulnerable Senate seats this cycle are in Democratic hands — creating an unexpected wealth of opportunities for the GOP, which just 12 months ago was headed for additional Senate losses.

But the…

Democrats Are Not as Desperate in the Senate

May 18, 2010 · 9:00 AM EDT

One year ago, Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter switched parties and gave Democrats 60 seats in the Senate. President Barack Obama and his party were riding high in Washington, and an early batch of Republican retirements gave Democrats an opportunity to expand their majority, even in the midterm elections.

Some Race Results Matter More Than Others

May 14, 2010 · 9:00 AM EDT

This year, it’s harder than ever to distinguish what really matters from what doesn’t. Special situations are adding to the confusion, as is a fickle public, which is showing a willingness to change its positions in the blink of an eye.

In Hawaii’s special Congressional election to fill…

Conway, Mongiardo Getting Nasty in Kentucky Race

by Stuart Rothenberg May 12, 2010 · 9:00 AM EDT

While national political reporters have been focused almost entirely on Kentucky’s GOP Senate primary, Democrats in the Bluegrass State have an entertaining race of their own that raises some interesting questions about money, message, media and November.

The early frontrunner in the Democratic race, Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo,…

Indiana Senate: New Sheriff in Town?

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 10, 2010 · 3:01 PM EDT

Democrats weren’t supposed to be worried about Indiana this year, since Sen. Evan Bayh (D) looked like a sure bet for reelection initially, even with a deteriorating national political environment.

But then Bayh shocked the political world by announcing his retirement, leaving Democrats scrambling to find a replacement…

Nevada Senate: Know When to Fold ’Em

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 10, 2010 · 3:00 PM EDT

Democrats are in danger of losing their second Senate majority leader in a decade.

Republicans knocked off South Dakota Sen. Tom Daschle (D) in 2004, but they did it with a popular former congressman who had previously been elected statewide. This year in Nevada, Senate Majority Leader Harry…