Filibuster-proof Senate tantalizingly close for Dems

[babylonsister]

Filibuster-proof Senate tantalizingly close for Dems
Commentary: Republicans seen losing at least four seats in November
By Rex Nutting, MarketWatch
Last update: 5:37 p.m. EDT May 13, 2008


WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - When the polls say Senate seats in Republican bastions such as Alaska, Kentucky and Texas are vulnerable to a Democratic takeover in November, you know it's the Democrats' year.

The Democrats, who now have 51 seats in the 100-member Senate (counting independents), are beginning to dream of an almost unattainable goal: Reaching the magical 60 votes needed to exercise absolute control of the chamber.

A weak economy, an unpopular war, an unpopular president, a lot of vacant GOP seats, and well-funded Democratic candidates may portend a Democratic landslide.

It's been 28 years since any party had the 60 Senate votes needed to end filibusters, the increasingly common tactic used by the minority to obstruct and frustrate the will of the majority.
With six months to go before the election, analysts say the Democrats are likely to have a very good year, but not quite good enough. "They are not going to get to 60," said Larry Sabato, a political science professor at the University of Virginia who operates the Crystal Ball political newsletter and website.

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http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/rex-nutting-filibuster-proof-senate-tantalizingly/story.aspx?guid=%7BB26F13DC-4CF2-4C7B-9304-4C131872F30F%7D&dist=hplatest

[The Magistrate]

1. We Do Have A Shot At This, Ma'am

And one small but pleasant in prospect fruit of it will be the expulsion of Lieberman from the Democratic caucus....

[babylonsister]

3. That would be a day to celebrate! nt

[malaise]

2. They are going to be wiped out

and I'm lovin it.

[magellan]

4. A majority of D's means nothing

...if enough of them are Blue Dogs voting with the Repubs.

[moose65]

6. The Blue Dogs are in the House, aren't they?

In the Senate the Dems stick together for the most part.

[blondeatlast]

8. And with more strength on the D side, they can influence the reluctant ones.

Right now, it's easy for conservative Dems to ignore the minority whip. With a majority, it will create problems in re-election campaigns.

[magellan]

10. You're right. I meant DINOs.

Same problem.

[Vincardog]

5. WE should shoot for a clean sweep. Kick out all the RePigLickers and DINO's too.

The people are fed up with Corporate Controlled AmeriKKKa. We want our country back.

[lonestarnot]

7. Agree!

[ThomWV]

9. So what? We're going to have a Democratic President, I don't care that we can override his Veto.

If I have a Democratice House and Senate sending a bill to a Democratic President why do I care about Veto proof bills?

[BigDaddy44]

11. This has nothing to do with vetos

Filibusters are totally different and require a different number of votes.