Menendez targets nine GOP seats

[Earth Bound Misfit]

Sen. Robert Menendez, the Democratic Senate campaign chief, is targeting nine Republican-held Senate seats in 2010, warning the GOP that Democrats are positioning themselves for a third straight election where they pick up seats.

“I think a cursory look at the map shows that the fear should be on the other side,” Menendez told reporters in a Thursday news conference.

Historically, the party in power loses seats in the mid-term elections, but at least this early in the cycle Menendez is setting the bar high.

The New Jersey senator said the party would target five open GOP seats and would mount challenges to sitting incumbents in Louisiana, North Carolina, and Kentucky, and Pennsylvania.

--snip--

Menendez said Republicans had already failed in their efforts to woo former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush into the race to success (sic) retiring Florida Sen. Mel Martinez, and charged that the GOP was making a fatal mistake in opposing the stimulus package.

Offering up a preview of the Democratic offensive in the weeks to come, Menendez called Senate Republicans “do-nothings.”

“They’re basically sticking to their old brand, the Bush brand,” said Menendez. “They are betting against President Obama and the economic recovery he is trying to create.”

Adding to his optimism, the New Jersey senator said there wouldn’t be any 2010 Democratic retirements.

Menendez was pressed repeatedly on whether the committee would endorse newly appointed senators, including Illinois Sen. Roland Burris, in primary fights.

“We don’t endorse,” he said. “We do support them, and I presume that any of the appointees who do decide to run will have the support of the committee.”

Source: Politico


Game On!

[PBS Poll-435]

1. Imagine picking up another 3 or 4 of these seats and holding what we have

That would be phenomenal.

[RepublicanElephant]

2. filibuster-proof senate! nt

[Earth Bound Misfit]

4. AARP chimes in also...

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0209/18785.html

AARP warns Republicans on stimulus
AARP is increasing pressure on GOP lawmakers to support the stimulus package.

The powerful seniors’ lobby has designated the House-Senate stimulus bill as its first “key vote” of 2009 and will record results state-by-state on a new Web site so its 40 million members can track how their senators and representatives voted.

The AARP push comes on the heels of heavy pro-stimulus lobbying by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and labor unions, meaning vulnerable Republicans who vote “no” will have upset a trio of the most powerful interests in Washington.

--snip--

After the final stimulus vote, AARP will notify its membership and urge them to express thanks or disappointment with how their members voted. The real pressure, however, comes from the year-end summary the group will send members, reminding them right before Election Day of members’ voting record on the issues that matter to the 50+ set.

Like many interest groups, AARP has used the “key vote” stick for years – including with powerful results during last year’s stimulus. But they’ve also launched a new “Government Watch” page on their Web site, allowing members to track AARP issues on the Hill in real time.

:bounce: :kick:

[alsame]

3. My fantasy is 65-70 Senate seats. That would allow for some

DINOs and still give us 60 votes.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

5. EGG-ZACKLY! n/t