Which blue state Rep senators have targets on their backs?

[Stinky The Clown]

There are a number of blue states with republican senators. Which ones are vulnerable and also have terms that expire in '06?

Where do we get 7 Senate seats (aside from putting them on our lists for Santa)?

It seems to me that, other than election process reform and winning a serious number of state races, this ought to be where we go next.

[RamboLiberal]

1. PA - Rick "Santimoneous" Santorum has a huge target

He really pissed off a lot of the electorate this month with his arrogance over his kids cyber schooling being paid by the Penn Hills and PA taxpayers while dear Ricky and his brood live in VA.

The way he's handled it so far has been a PR disaster.

I don't think he can fly under the radar as a moderate this time! Just hope the Dems can mount and support a good candidate against him.

[GRLMGC]

9. Away with him!

This fool needs to go.

[hopein08]

17. Here's hoping...

As a PA Dem, I am just crossing my fingers, hoping, and *gasp* praying that this cyber school thing either hangs on for a while or is just a sign of bigger things to come. Santorum's election not being for almost two years could give it time to blow over. It has to be kept alive.

You're right that he can't pose as a moderate. There is just too much good stuff to use. I'll be very disappointed if it isn't used.

[Stinky The Clown]

30. Isn't there also some issue with his avoiding jury duty?

Can all this be collectively spun as his being an elitist?

[hopein08]

35. Yes

On the Pennsylvania board there are a number of threads about the stuff that's going on with him. It sounds good for the Democrats.

This one is in relation to the jury duty...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=175x2794

It has a link to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette editorial about the subject.

Anyway, I think it could be spun as being elitist very easily. And it doesn't seem to be going over well in Pittsburgh.

We just have to keep it out there in the open.

[catbert836]

28. I hear Chris Heinz is thinking about running

That would be great. I'd love to have him as my senator. Even though he dosn't have experience, I'd say there would be a Heinz landslide because of the cyber charter school thing and Santorum being a racist homophobe

[Freddie Stubbs]

37. Those rumors have been floating around for six years now

So far he hasn't taken any steps to launch a campaign. It has only been speculated by pundits as to who would be an interesting candidate.

[Spiffarino]

43. I just hope that a gay DUer sees him and

...gives him a good kick in the "boys" on his way out of the capital.

Don't lots of PA Repubs find him obnoxiously self-righteous, too? I can't imagine how any could overlook his pseudo-religious pomposity.

[BamaLefty]

2. This May Help...

Most vulnerable: Norm Coleman (R-MN)


http://www.democraticunderground.com/cu/

[imenja]

4. Coleman was elected in 2002

Won't he be up for re-election in 2008?

[KitchenWitch]

16. Yes Coleman will be up in 2008

And frankly not a moment too soon! This chumpass ran for mayor of St. Paul as a Democrat and changed in the middle of his term to Rethug, because he felt he would have too much competition within the DFL party for a gubernatorial nomination, then the damn shrub hand-picked him to run for Senate against Wellstone. Tim Pawlenty (our current GOP governor) had planned to run against Wellstone, but * told him to step aside...I have do not respect either Coleman or Pawlenty. Particularly Pawlenty - have the damn cajones to stand up to * and run for Senate if that is what you want! Pawlenty also wants the Indian Nations to renegotiate the terms of the Indian gaming in this state, and is threatening to open State gambling facilities if they do not.

Ok enough of my ranting!

edited to fix a typo

[Pirate Smile]

3. Here is a thread that lists "vulnerable" Senators. It doesn't say when

they are up for re-election; i.e. who is up in 2006.

We need something productive to focus on right now.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=108x117992

Another issue is focusing now on how to use state ballot initiatives, amendments, etc. for our purposes and to mobilize our base (and expand it).

The Repubs put those Gay Marriage Amendments on 11 state ballots. Why aren't we doing that on other issues?

I'm not sure how long it takes to get in on that process but we need to start moving locally and statewide on issues.

It also makes you stop and think - what exactly as a party do we want to do?

One area that we know needs a lot of help and is handled on a local/state basis is elections.

[Stinky The Clown]

6. The elections process thing ...

is that in all cases the sec of state? I may be wrong, but here in Maryland, I think the elections are controlled by a governor appointee ... and our gov (of our dear bright blue state) is Nazi ... Ehrlich.

[Pirate Smile]

8. Maybe we need to get control of elections out of the hands of partisans.

It really is idiotic to have the head of state campaigns also the head of running the elections.

If positions were reversed in 2000 or 2004, you know the Repubs would just trust the Dems. Ya right...

[yellowcanine]

18. Didn't Pawlenty have some scandal brewing? What's up with that?

[sandnsea]

5. Gordon Smith OR

He may not know he's got a target on his back, but he does. :evilgrin:

[seabeyond]

7. first find some good hackers

second, get the big bag of laundered money

[LimpingLib]

10. Sadly not many.

Maybe if we stopped trying to come up with gimmics (which is always just the same reshuffeling of the DLC/Corperatist chair) to win back all the Southern seats we lost , we could start to focus on issues and thus show how outside the mainstream the Collins , Snows , Chafees , etc. are.

Problem is that it would put the majority of our Senators "out of the mainstream" if we started to represent real people for a change.

[imenja]

11. Wikipedia link to 2006 senate races

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Senate_election%2C_2006

Trent Lott is up in 2006. He's got to be vulnerable, even in Missippi, if for no reason other than he's lost power and can't accomplish for the state what he used to.

Jim Talent in Missouri

Santorum in PA.

[iwantmycountryback]

12. Who the hell could we run in Mississippi then?

And do you think Bredesen could go after Frist in TN?

[imenja]

14. oops, reply below

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1398575&mesg_id=1398727

[Leilani]

23. Frist is leaving the Senate when his term is up.

EOM

[imenja]

27. Obviously has his eye on the White House

[imenja]

13. Harold Ford in TN?

Don't really know, cause I'm not very familiar with politics in those states. Maybe Ford in TN. Do you know what the African-American population is in TN?

[insane_cratic_gal]

15. Santorum

is as good as gone: this was one of his qoutes
<snip>
The "house" that Santorum cites as his address is a 2 bedroom house in Penn Hills, a suburb of Pittsburgh. It is on a quiet street - a lovely 2 bedroom abode. However, it seems that the Senator must have all of the kids in one bedroom, and he and the missus in the other!
Oh, by the way, the local election office also shows another couple living at the same residence.
What a scam!
He said (when pressed about the situation) "If the people don't like it, they will remember it at the next election."

I live in pa.. he's been smeared all over the news. I know I am not voting for him.. 38,000 to send his kids to a charter school. Looks like he's taking it to court. But has withdrawn his kids from the school. The state is asking him to remiburse the money.

[Leilani]

22. Trent Lott can keep his Senate seat as long as he wants.

He has brought more pork home to Mississippi than they could dream of.

And from what I read, the locals were pissed off at what the party did to him.

[Ima]

19. Orrin G. Hatch

I'd love to see him gone.

[imenja]

20. I remember when I thought he was the worst

he used to make me furious. Now he seems almost reasonable compared to some of the lunatics they have in Washington now. The new crowd just elected from the Southern states are unbelievable: death penalty for women who have abortions; gays not allowed to teach in schools, etc.... There seems no limit to the lunacy of the right.

[Ima]

21. I don't know

who is the worst. But I really hate Hatch. Getting rid of his smug ass would be a good thing.

[Leilani]

24. Never Happen.

EOM

[Leilani]

25. It seems to me, people need to know about the local politics

of a state before they start useless crusades.

Would the Repubs love to get rid of Ted Kennedy?

Sure, but it ain't gonna happen.

So don't choose who you HATE...choose the vulnerable ones & concentrate efforts, $$$$$. where it can have a favorable outcome.

[Ima]

26. With all due respect,

it would certainly be more productive, to the thread, if you would simply suggest the person you would like to out. Rather, than to chastise, other peoples choices.


So...who do you select? And why? I'm open to suggestions.

[Leilani]

29. Fine, I'll oblige!

Frist is leaving the Senate...that means an open seat...easier to win an open seat than defeat an incumbent.

Santorum has had problems; he is ultra conservative, which plays well in rural Pa, but with the right candidate, a good race, & a huge turnout in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, & the suburbs, he would be vulnerable.

Suburban voters in Pa. like pro-choice moderates; I would run a race painting him as an extremist, outside the mainstream of most people's beliefs.

A missed opportunity: Arlen Spectre...he was despised by the right wing, & had a tough primary fight. Yet many Dems supported him. Why?
He had lots of union support. Seems to me, the Dems should have concentrated on knocking him off, because he was vulnerable.

[Ima]

31. For the record.

"Where do we get 7 Senate seats"


It goes without saying, we would go for an empty seat.


Most people already know about Santorum. He is definitely a self made target.


So perhaps we are looking for five more. I think we are capable of multi-tasking.

[Leilani]

40. Well, excuse me!

If you're looking for 7 seats, you better call in magicians.

[John_H]

32. Sadly, We will pick up no seats in 06.

I guess Santorum is vulnerable on paper, but can someone please tell me who we are going to run against him? The governor?

On our side, Nelson is as vulnerable as Smith, and what happens if Byrd dies?

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

33. Chris Heinz against Santorum would work in blue PA

I live in PA and even called the state Democratic party to suggest this idea for 2006. I apparently was not the only call that they've had re: Chris Heinz reclaiming his father's Senate seat.

Philadelphia counties, Allegheny county for Pittsburgh and Erie county were solidly blue for Kerry and can easily smother the red Pennsyl-tucky middle of the state to get Santorum out...IF the Democrats put up the right candidate in 06.

[Ima]

34. John

Please don't give up hope.


Have a cold one on me. :) :beer:

[Still_Loves_John]

41. With all due respect

...it wouldn't. This thread is about listing vulnerable blue state republican senators, not the ones you would like to get rid of. If you're going to be wrong, the least you can do is not be arrogant about it.

[quaoar]

36. Here's a few possible pickups

John Ensign, R-Nev. If Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman runs, this is a possible win for us.

George Allen, R-Va. Gov. Mark Warner can take him out.

But some of our best chances will come from Republican incumbents who might choose to retire in 2006:

Jon Kyl in Arizona, Conrad Burns in Montana, Orrin Hatch in Utah, Trent Lott in Mississippi, Craig Thomas in Wyoming. Might sound crazy but there are viable Democratic candidates in all those states who could win an open seat.

[T Town Jake]

38. All of them. We should contest every seat, especially in the Blue States.

(n/t)

[napi21]

39. I don't know, but I sure HOPE there aren't ANY unchallenged ones!

Nothing pissed me off more than when voting this year, there were 8 or 9 positions held by Pugs that weren't even challenged! I know it's Ga. but I don't care!!! I've been complaining to every Dem group in the state ever since!!! I admit, none of these seats were Federal, but the Pugs started out years ago, going after all the local seats and built their way up to the top ones. How the heck do the Dems EVER hope to get anywhere when they won't even have candidates running?

[Yupster]

42. My early picks

Bill Nelson will have a tough reelection campaign against Jeb Bush -- 50-50

Mark Dayton will be in a surprisingly tough reelection campaign. 60-40.

Rick Santorum has no room for error. He's probably an underdog for reelection 40-60.

Ben Nelson is in trouble if the current governor runs against him. 40-60 if runs, 80-20 if doesn't.

These races will be tough only if the incumbent retires which he may do.

Senator Corzine has just announced he's running for governor. The race will be close in the polls, and then the Democratic nominee will win like always.

Senator Frist is going. Congressman Ford is probably the favorite to pick up this seat, but will be competitive.

Senator Kohl is rumored to be thinking of quitting. Would only be a tough race if Tommy Thompson runs.

Daniel Akaka is 82. Very well may retire. Only competitive if Linda Ingle runs and probably not even then.

Senator Byrd will be 89 and is in poor health. I hope he retires so we can say we no longer have any former Knight Riders of the Ku Klux Klan in office, but I've been waiting for him to slink away for 20 years now, and he hasn't yet so he'll probably win at age 89 and end up living in the hospital and getting wheeled in to vote like Strom Thurmond was. When he finally dies, that seat will be competitive.