RateItAll: The Opinion Network

They need a few wins to get this done and I don't think they can win all the close ones.

Even with the national political climate being the way it is, I find that it'll be tough for the Democrats to retake the Senate. Just for them to retake it, they will need to win 6 seats. Consider that on this electoral cycle, they are defending more seats than the GOP. That means that they are going to have to spend more to protect their incumbents. That also means that its imperative that they not lose any seats. At the rate its going, it appears like the Republicans have a decent shot at winning a seat in New Jersey, where the Democratic incumbent is tied up with some ethical issues that's weighing him down in the polls. But even with that, I predict that the Democrats will net out at least two seats; possibly as much as five. But in order to retake the Senate, they're going to need to carry some states that have tended to vote Republican (Tennessee, Virginia and Arizona). Of those three, the most likely to go Democratic is TN, but VA is a real runner up. GOP Senator George Allen looks like he's in a tough fight for re-election following his "macaca" remark and the ensuing journalistic investigation which implied that he was a racist. That he hasn't handled it well makes it all the more difficult--even against a candidate that is, while qualified, almost broke financially. So when you at the math, you'll find that there's a decent shot that the Democrats can do it, but everything's got to work in their favor.

Not with their out of touch political games they like to play. No chance! america has finally wised up to their antics.

Not enough seats are up for grabs where Democrats can make a solid shot at tossing a Republican incumbent, and some Democratic incumbents are looking shaky themselves. My safe bet is that the balance of power remains roughly what it is right now.

Don't know. . .Americans don't seem to care about an administration that wipes its ass with Civil Rights. . .we get what we deserve. Repeated failures have not brought about the anger that should exist. . .oh well, we'll see. . .

The Dems are going to have a much tougher go of it than they think in 2006. In the Senate the Republicans hold a 55 seat majority and the chance of the Republicans losing 5 seats is next to zero. They could pick up a couple seats in the House but not even enough there to shift control to the Dems. With the economy surging, jobs being created and good news starting to filter out of Iraq the 2006 elections could keep much of the status quo. Drummond, who're these "vulnerable" Republicans? There's literally one who's in real trouble- Santorum, and that's only because the Dems have a PROLIFE conservative running against him in Casey. Objectively who else? Chafee, Dewine maybe.. but to think you'll pick up 5 seats without losing any like Nelson's seat or Conrad's is just silly.

I would be shocked if they even came close. While doing all they can to dirty up the image of the Bush team, the Dems are less unified and have less identity than ever. They dont seem to collectively know what they want! The economy is looking better and I believe we are seeing the light at the end of the IRAQ tunnel too.

Not a chance. Bush has had the NSA bug all their cell phones and e-mails for past three years...he's on to their election strategy.

Here's hoping anyway! There are some very vulnerable Republican incumbants. I think it's inevitable that the Democrats will pick up seats. The only question is how many.

I'm doubtful of the possibility of this and think it's a shame because the republicans in the Senate absolutely deserve to be thrown from office, unceremoniously and vigorously. Their "leadership" is desperately weeak, there are too many "RINO'S" (republicans in name only) and too many (like Frist, McCain) with delusions of presidential ambitions. It would do the country a world of good to see George W. Bush have to do battle with a democrat majority in one of the houses of Congress, but the democrats have even weaker and more laughable "leadership" in both houses and on the Democrat National Committee. So don't hold your breath looking for anything resembling responsible government, on a bi-partisan basis, for the forseeable future. Just savage bluster, filibuster and discord for the sake of political posturing. To the detriment of the interests of the American People.

There's a better chance of this happening than the Democrats recapturing the presidency in '08. Both are less than fifty percent likely to happen, however, with the shot at the white house being on the lower end of the scale.

Not much chance here. The Democracts have to defend too many seats; however, they should gain.

No way. Too much ground to make up.