Associated Press
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn
As it stands this afternoon, Democrats maintain a Senate majority of 53 seats (technically, 51 Democrats and two independents who caucus with them). For Republicans to retake the majority in the chamber, they'll need a net gain for three seats if Romney/Ryan wins, or four seats if Obama/Biden wins.
Politico's Mike Allen asked the National Republican Senatorial Committee about its expectations.
"Given the uncertainties of any cycle -- from an unexpected retirement to the challenge of running in tough states like Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada -- we always believed we'd likely have to net 5 seats to win the majority and that, despite the outsized expectations by many in Washington, history wasn't on our side. Only two times in the last 40-plus years -- 1980 and 2008 -- has either party picked up 5 or more Senate seats in a Presidential cycle.
"Nonetheless, despite some additional unexpected setbacks, we're going into Election Day with an opportunity to add to our 2010 gains - and in what certainly appears to be a non-wave election, that's not a bad position to be in."
One doesn't have to read between the lines much to see that the National Republican Senatorial Committee does not expect to win a Senate majority this year. But what's striking in this quote is the notion that, as far as Republicans are concerned, they've "always" believed "history" wasn't on their side in 2012.
That's simply not true. After the 2010 midterms, given the number of seats Democrats had to defend, coupled with the number of incumbent Democratic retirements, it was practically a foregone conclusion among Republicans that they'd reclaim the majority.
Half-hearted spin notwithstanding, that this now appears unlikely has to be a crushing disappointment for the GOP.
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I notice they didn't mention running in tough states like Massachusetts, Missouri, and Indiana
My expectations go a lot further than maintaining a Dem majority. I'd like to see some real Senate rules reforms. This will give the GOP far far more depth to their disappointment about the consequences of their obstructionist policies.
I'd like to see some coverage of Patty Murray's hand in skewering the GOP's hopes in the Senate. She has been doing a largely unnoticed and thankless task of running the DSCC's strategy to keep the Senate in Dem hands.
IMHO, Reid and Schumer should be brushed aside and Murray should be elected majority leader of the Senate.
She has the gonads to do something about filibuster and other needed rules reforms. Enough of this obstructionist crap that has stymied judicial nominations, the death of the Cap and Trade (Waxman-Markey energy) bill, and the death of universal health care approach.
My state benefits from the current Senate rules, and my Senator Inouye has staunchly defended the fillubuster and other traditions. But we must face realities. All these cherished rules will be tossed as soon as the GOP finds them inconvenient. They were ready to do so before the Gang of 14 agreement.
HAVE TO TELL SOMEONE.
Polls in WELD county CO are requiring ID to VOTE! I was just in there "I had ID but refused to show it. When I made a deal about it people in line (mostly Red area) started teaming up on me saying it has always been this way. I left but will return. Just thought someone should know what they are doing in colorado
Call 1-866-OUR VOTE to report it.
Well, you're supposed to? http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/vote/acceptableFormsOfID.html
The single most important thing we want to achieve is for Mitch McConnell to be a five-term Senator.
I thought I was the only person waiting for Mitch McConnell 2014 defeat. He does not need to be cut loose AGAIN in the House. He appears to feel the voters will hate, dislike and be as nihilistic as he. By the by can we voters " impeach" Kentucky for producing Mitch McC. What do you think? Maybe we should empty the HOUSE teapot, stop House obstruction.
Hopefully only the first of many crushing disappointments for the GOP today . . .
will not happen if this Kentuckian has anything to say about it
I hope to find out what a crushing disappointment it will be for the GOP if they actually lose Senate seats this year.
GOTP response to loss:
Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, bwaaaaaaaaaaaaa!! It was "their fault" and we'll hold our breath til.....
If only they would hold their breath til they.....I won't mind..
I have to tell you that your network has been telling people that polls close in FL at 8pm ET, when they actually close at 7pm ET. Please do something about this before people put off voting before it's too late! Thank you!
The polls close in MOST of Florida at 7pm, that is correct. However we have a few counties up in the panhandle that are on central time and close at 8pm eastern.
Actually if I'm not mistaken, but doesn't some of the polls in the Pan Handle close at 8pm eastern time, because they are in the Central Time Zone?
This is goofy talk -- here in Michigan, part of the state is in Eastern time, other parts are in Central time.
The polls statewide are open 7am-8pm LOCAL time. That avoids any confusion for the voters.
They should do the same with Florida. Use LOCAL time, and forget about what time it is in the East.
Just a few short weeks ago they were giddily raving about the Trifecta of House, Senate, and Teh Oval.
Laughing Gas Euphoria is a fleeting sensation. . .
but insanity lasts forever...
What I rerally want to see is the surprise of 10 extra House seats beyond the 15 the commentariat is predicting. They then lose the whole game.
Gawd that would be awesome!
Whoa!!! Did these clowns just concede Nevada? That would be an amazing pickup. The Democrats and unions in Nevada deserve a laurel and hearty handshake if they pull out a win for Berkeley. Seriously...
You mean to tell me that Mitch McConnell, Jon Kyle and the rest of the Republicans in the Senate stymied progress at every turn for the past four years to gain some hoped for partisan advantage that is not going to happen? Well la de da. We have suffered a lot at listening to the tune of Mitch McConnell and the Filibusters and their crappy song isn't even going to make the charts.
Somebody ought to fire the Senate Republican leadership.
Nope, just implement the abolition of the filibuster that Reid promised a few months ago with the January rule changes.
Yes, yes, yes!
By the way . . . I wonder what Cornyn's thinking back there . . .
"That's it! You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown
college!"
Maybe McConnell can't talk with his tongue in his cheek, so Cornyn does it for him. Luckily for us, he's using his own cheek.
Actually, Cornyn has a "delicious Mitch" going on there...euuuu.
As long as we're speculating about that picture, what the HECK's going on with Mitch McConMan's eyeglasses there? Are they just melting off the right side of his head?
Got Enraged and Engaged:
Mooched the Vote 2012!
;-)
The one thing the Republicans failed to mention was that their expectations are far too impossible, and their limitations are not self-perceived, and therefore, their whole perspective is implausible and not particularly healthy for others!
The Senate will be held by a Democratic majority at the end of the day, and its majority will grow by one seat! -Kevo
Kinda ot, but have you seen Ryan's wiki photo? He looks like Evil Opie...
If the Dems keep their majority and pick up 1 or 2 seats. Then I have the feeling that Kerry will end up as the new SoS. If the Dems just keep the numbers they have, then odds are Kerry wont be the new SoS. Because if the numbers stay the same, Kerry vacant seat will be held in a runoff, which more than likely would have Scott brown winning. Because he isn't losing this one by much. And no other Republican in the stat of Mass. Has a better shot at winning in a special election.
The best way to get these obstructionists out of Congress is to put on every ad that they signed Grover's pledge. That is something they can't spin and can't deny. People are finally starting to wake up. They need to be kept awake.
The mutant ninny turtle is secretly crying crocodile tears.
Turtle MCconnell looks as if he's on crank in that picture.
I just got done laughing over an impression you recently done, when you mimicked everyone has an uncle that yells out. You have to do that more often in your show. That was epic! lol
Republican Mitch McConnel is just a BIGOT. You can twist and turn the last four years but President Obama would have been able to accomplish much, much more if the likes of Mitch McConnel and people like him would just SHUT UP and DISAPPEAR! They divide this country, hold us back and just make me sick.
SOOOOOOOOOOO TRUE !
s
I swear everytime I see this man, I see horns growing out of his head. He is just plain evil!!!!
The GOP losing seats is a good thing, but based on senate performance over the last 4 years, it means nothing. Last January, the senate Dems decided they were content with things as they stood, allowing the GOP to be a ruling minority by blocking bills.
re: Phenner's post above. A former classmate with whom I have exchanged back-&-forths during this campaign constantly sources her remarks as being from Limbaugh, Beck, Fox News, et al. The poor fool did not know who Grover Norquist is, so in spite of her saying that she researches conservative as well as liberal sites, she is only quoting Tea Party talking points. I will not rub it in but will be happy that she will be disappointed come Wednesday morning.
Last year, I was watching 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" with my brother in law. When the prospector began singing " Gold and Silver" I said " that's Mitch McConnell's favorite song".
I am happy about the turnout. It's about time that the GOP found out we watch what happens in the Senate and House, both need Democats back in with the President, that I always vote for.
Neither party in the senate will go along with eliminating the 60 vote requirement to end debate or the ability of a single Senator to put a hold on a nomination, because it would limit their personal power. Those rules are anachronistic and should be abolished. Majority vote should prevail ...... and there should be a requirement that any Presidential nomination should be put to an up or down vote no later than 120 days (calendar days) after the nomination is submitted. No blocking nominations in committee.
Never mind
I just think that Mitch McConnell really does resemble a turtle!!!! just a thought