Before our euphoria gets too crazy, keep in mind that Republicans still have the inside track to maintain control of the Senate. Here are
the five poll averages in the races that will determine control (updated for last night's new polls):
- Rhode Island: Whitehouse (D) 47.4%--41.6% Chafee (R)
- Montana: Tester (D) 47.4%--42.0% Burns (R)
- New Jersey: Menendez (D) 46.2%--42.6% Kean (R)
- Missouri: Talent (R) 46.8%--45.4% McCaskill (D)
- Virginia: Allen (R) 47.6%--46.0% Webb (D)
- Tennessee: Corker (R) 47.6%--44.8% (Ford (D)
Democrats need to win five of these six races in order to take control by a single seat, and that doesn't not even factor in Lieberman. We have seen some slippage in Missouri lately, and even more slippage in Tennessee. On the flip side, we are clearly gaining in Virginia. But, like I said, we need five of these six races to take control, and Republicans are currently leading, with cash advantages, in the three border states.
Never once in this cycle have I predicted Democrats to take control of the Senate, and I will be stunned if we manage to do so on November 7th. I do still hope for a pickup of four or five seats in the Senate, taking control of the House, winning the majority of Governors, and doing some real damage in state legislatures. To say the least, that wouldn't be half bad. Republicans controlling the Senate would be an extremely unfortunate event, but with Republicans defending 40 of the 67 Senate seats up for election in 2008 and 2010, we would have a very good chance to take a large majority going into the 2012 elections. Even if Republicans were to win 34 of the 67 seats up for election in 2008 and 2010, that would mean Democrats pick up six seats. As we sprint to the finish line this year, it needs to be remembered that taking back our country is a long-term project.