A Question, please, about Congressional seats to be voted in 2008.

[PetraPooh]

We are so wrapped up in the presidential primary. I'm wondering too how many congressional seats are open to election in the same election. I guess my curiosity is whether Democrats could get a noticeably stronger handle on Congress to actually aid the ideas and agendas of whomever the Democratic president is (yes, I'm going to optimistically assume that McSame loses). Is there a site that consolidates this information with extras like which have incumbents vying for re-election, which are up for grabs, and how those races are coming along? Have those campaigns really gotten started yet? Sorry for my ignorance on this, I've been a bit too wrapped up with the presidential campaigns and have heard/read nothing else about other campaigns.

[lapfog_1]

1. As is the case every two years

All of the seats in the House are up for grabs... and 1/3 (give or take) of the Senate runs for re-election.

The interesting question is how many competitive races are there in the nation this year. I haven't heard numbers but my recollection is that Dems could pick up 3 to 4 in the Senate (say goodbye to Lieberman as a power broker!) and possibly a 10 to 20+ gain in the House. Depends on if we settle on a nominee, depends on the amount of money raised for races (right now, a lot of Dems are donating to the Presidential campaigns of Clinton and Obama, so not a lot left over). And it depends on the "coattails" of our Presidential nominee. I think it's too early to tell right at the moment... and that worries me a bit.

[PetraPooh]

2. The house is only 2 years? Wow, I didn't realize that.

I would've thought that we'd be hearing more about those races by now. Do they not start campaigning till summer?

Yes, competitive was the word I was searching for but it was escaping me.