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2012 Won’t Be Any Easier for Senate Democrats
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Race
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| Contributor | Jason |
| Last Edited | Jason Oct 31, 2010 01:54am |
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| Category | Analysis |
| News Date | Thursday, October 28, 2010 05:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | Even if Democrats retain control of the Senate on Tuesday, an early look ahead to 2012 suggests their days may still be numbered.
The landscape will shift depending on the final tally of the midterm elections, but the 2012 Senate map shows at least seven seats in play as tossups starting Nov. 3 — the majority of which are held by Democrats.
It’s a map that at first blush looks to be just as competitive as this cycle, and it is likely to be complicated by retirements over the coming months and several potential 2006 rematches. If Republicans come close but don’t take over the Senate, 2012 will be an even more pitched battle for control of the chamber.
“I don’t believe we’re going to win back the Senate [this year], but I think we’re going to do very well,” said Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (Utah), one of 10 Republicans up next cycle. “We have a much stronger chance in 2012.”
Democrats admit they have the tough 2012 map. This is the first re-election for members of the 2006 class, which delivered the Senate majority to Democrats. Likely to be near the top of GOP target lists are first-term Sens. Bob Casey (Pa.), Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Claire McCaskill (Mo.), Jon Tester (Mont.) and Jim Webb (Va.).
The Show-Me State will almost certainly feature a battle royal in 2012.
McCaskill faces a possible rematch with former Sen. Jim Talent (R), whom she unseated in 2006 and who is widely believed to be considering another run. It’s one of the only battleground states targeted by President Barack Obama in 2008 that he lost, and Rep. Roy Blunt (R) is favored to win the state’s open Senate seat Tuesday. |
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