The 2010 Midterm Election Thread

[Nell2ThaIzzay]

Primary season is upon us, as we prepare for the November elections.

I haven't been paying too much attention out here in Tennessee, save for the GOP congressional race for the 6th district. Lou Ann Zelenik lost her race against Diane Black tonight, as is being reported by the local media outlets. I haven't seen it in print yet, but I've seen it on the TV stations.

I am happy to see this, it is Lou Ann Zelenik who was the outspoken candidate against the mosque that I protested in favor of last month.

 

[BlackLantern]

Here in Connecticut, we have a primary next week in regards to the Senate seat being left vacant by Chris Dodd....lead candidates are Richard Blumenthal (Current AG), Linda McMahon (former WWE CEO), Rob Simmons (former House rep), and Peter Schiff

we also have an interesting governors race with the sitting Gov. Jodi Rell, announcing she would not be running for re-election

lead candidates there are Ned Lamont, Mike Fedele (current LT Governor), Dan Malloy (current Mayor of Stamford) and some other randoms

 

[Timstuff]

I voted in the Republican primary today for McMahon in the senate and Fedele for governor. I don't necessarily agree with 100% of their policies but I think that they are both of strong character, and have the best chance at being elected come November. Here's hoping.

 

[BlackLantern]

McMahon has my vote, haven't decided where I'm at for Governor yet

 

[BlackLantern]

and the Blumenthal commercials descened upon Connecticut

 

[StorminNorman]

Great avatar.

 

[BlackLantern]

It's Election Time!!! [/ollie]

 

[Malice]

I am so excited to see what will happen.

 

[BlackLantern]

Linda McMahon has pulled to about 3 points behind Blumenthal....and he bought in Clinton this weekend for a campaign event

 

[Matt]

Damn. She is really closing the gap.

My guess is that Republicans will take the House but not by as big of a margin as they would have 3 months ago.

As for the Senate, my guess is the Republicans will tie, 50/50, resulting in Biden breaking ties. Although with Lieberman it may as well be a Republican majority (in fact, if they offer to let him keep his seniority, I wouldn't be suprised to see him caucus with them). Not to mention many Democrats will start to distance themselves from Obama. While the Republicans may be a minority, they may very well control voting in the Senate. Which means we can look forward to two years of nothing getting done what-so-ever.

 

[BlackLantern]

yea...she was about 30 points down at her lowest and has really gotten going....a lot of people here in the state are just sick and f'ng tired of Blumenthals **** as AG....going after the internet, media....typical Democratic censorship crap

 

[hippie_hunter]

Damn. She is really closing the gap.

My guess is that Republicans will take the House but not by as big of a margin as they would have 3 months ago.

As for the Senate, my guess is the Republicans will tie, 50/50, resulting in Biden breaking ties. Although with Lieberman it may as well be a Republican majority (in fact, if they offer to let him keep his seniority, I wouldn't be suprised to see him caucus with them). Not to mention many Democrats will start to distance themselves from Obama. While the Republicans may be a minority, they may very well control voting in the Senate. Which means we can look forward to two years of nothing getting done what-so-ever.

I don't see Lieberman switching. Even though he's a hawk in regards to foreign policy, he's rather progressive on domestic policy. He just won't fit in, especially in a Tea Party dominated GOP with Joe Miller, Rand Paul, Jim DeMint, Marco Rubio, Mike Lee, Pat Toomey, and if they win Sharon Angle and Ken Buck

I see Ben Nelson switching. If the GOP wins all five toss up Senate seats (Colorado, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Nevada, and Illinois), I can see the Republicans offering him some rather enticing positions to end his career with.

 

[hippie_hunter]

yea...she was about 30 points down at her lowest and has really gotten going....a lot of people here in the state are just sick and f'ng tired of Blumenthals **** as AG....going after the internet, media....typical Democratic censorship crap

Personally, I think that Blumenthal has suffers from MCS, Martha Coakley Syndrome. It's a very serious condition where a candidate takes his/her candidacy for granted, expecting that they're going to win for no real reason. All the while, they're running against a very competent candidate as opposed to someone who might be borderline ******ed like Sharon Angle or Christine O'Donnell.

 

[BlackLantern]

well he bought in both the President and Bill Clinton in the past month to stump for him, it might have hurt more than helped

and the debate is Monday night, I will be watching that **** and probably recapping here if anyone cares

 

[hippie_hunter]

Yes....because Obama was such a big help for Martha Coakley.....and Jon Corzine....and Creigh Deeds.

 

[Matt]

I don't see Lieberman switching. Even though he's a hawk in regards to foreign policy, he's rather progressive on domestic policy. He just won't fit in, especially in a Tea Party dominated GOP with Joe Miller, Rand Paul, Jim DeMint, Marco Rubio, Mike Lee, Pat Toomey, and if they win Sharon Angle and Ken Buck

I see Ben Nelson switching. If the GOP wins all five toss up Senate seats (Colorado, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Nevada, and Illinois), I can see the Republicans offering him some rather enticing positions to end his career with.

I think the Republicans are out for blood. If they only win 4, and Lieberman is needed for the majority, I could see them pulling a move that no one would see coming. Offering Lieberman the position of Majority Leader to switch. Granted, it would be entirely symbollic and he'd have no real power. But I think he'd jump on it.

 

[BlackLantern]

and he'll be out of his seat next term anyway, so it would be a win win for him

 

[hippie_hunter]

I think the Republicans are out for blood. If they only win 4, and Lieberman is needed for the majority, I could see them pulling a move that no one would see coming. Offering Lieberman the position of Majority Leader to switch. Granted, it would be entirely symbollic and he'd have no real power. But I think he'd jump on it.

Ben Nelson would be an easier and much better fit. He's the most conservative Democrat in the Senate. Lieberman would never be offered the position of Majority Leader, that will be going to McConnell if the Republicans take the Senate. And there is no way in hell that Lieberman would be offered the position of Majority Leader since the GOP Senate freshman class will be dominated by the Tea Party. The only way I see Lieberman taking up a Republican offer to switch is if he really loves his committee chairmanship that freaking much.

Like what BlackLantern says about Lieberman being gone next term, so will Ben Nelson due to his actions in the health care debate and eventually voting for it. Even if he switched to being a Republican, he's gone. It would be better for Nelson to switch to being a Republican, be the chairman of a few comittees, and retire on a high note.

 

[Matt]

I think McConnell will take the number two spot if it means having a Republican majority and him getting the seat in two years when they no longer need Lieberman or Nelson.

 

[hippie_hunter]

But you have to take into account that the GOP freshman class will be dominated by the Tea Party. The Tea Party will never accept Lieberman as Majority Leader. They may tolerate having Ben Nelson within their ranks.

And I also think that Lieberman would not want the Majority Leader position. He holds his committee chairmanships dearly. If he would switch for anything, it would be to keep those chairmanships over being Majority Leader with a party that would never accept him.

 

[chaseter]

Lieberman sitting up there will look like Palpatine.

 

[Matt]

But you have to take into account that the GOP freshman class will be dominated by the Tea Party. The Tea Party will never accept Lieberman as Majority Leader. They may tolerate having Ben Nelson within their ranks.

And I also think that Lieberman would not want the Majority Leader position. He holds his committee chairmanships dearly. If he would switch for anything, it would be to keep those chairmanships over being Majority Leader with a party that would never accept him.

True. Though Majority Leader ensures him as having a place in history (aside from being the losing VP candidate in 2000). I've always seen Lieberman as a guy who would consider his legacy as all important. You're right about the freshman class however.

 

[Kelly]

I don't think anything is going to shock me this election....

This is just all kinds of crazy, and a Political Geography Teacher's dream.....I'm loving it.

 

[A&W]

Poll: Battle for Congress tightens between parties

But GOP still poised to make significant gains in November


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39405132/ns/politics-white_house

 

[Matt]

My prediction: On November 3rd, after the Democrats get whooped on November 2nd, Evan Bayh will announce his candidacy for President in the Democratic primary.