Why Democrats may keep the Senate
Every serious politico is baffled by the polling on this falls elections, in which Democratic Senate candidates across the country are doing a remarkable job of hanging in despite the general consensus that under conventional circumstances this would be a wave year for Republicans.
It should be a wave, experts say, because a) President Obama has a very low approval rating, b) a huge majority of Americans says the country is on the wrong track and c) more Americans say its time to replace their own representatives than ever before in modern history.
The issue environment, as they say, also works against the Democrats. ObamaCare remains unpopular. The world is in chaos, and Obamas foreign policy appears inept at best. There hasnt been a good piece of news out of Washington in God only knows how long.
Meanwhile, in the realm of electoral politics, the GOP has cleaned up its act. In 2010 and 2012, Republican efforts to capture the Senate fell short thanks to the profound weaknesses of certain GOP candidates, who self-destructed spectacularly.
Thats not the case this year, when by common consent Republicans have a pretty remarkable slate of candidates across the country.
Even in Minnesota, a state where the GOP has little hope, Sen. Al Franken faces a first-rate challenger in businessman Mike McFadden, who whomped Franken in a debate last week.
Speaking of debates, I watched one between Colorado Democratic Sen. Mark Udall and challenger Cory Gardner, in which it would not be hyperbole to say Gardner wiped the floor with the incumbent.
This race is emblematic of the improvement in the Republican Partys overall approach in 2014.
Gardner, a dynamic House member, only secured his partys nomination when the Colorado GOP cleared his path by ensuring his congressional seat would be Ken Bucks for the taking.
Buck, a social-conservative darling in a purple state, had lost a race for Senate he shouldve won in 2010 and likely wouldve lost again this year.
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Why Democrats may keep the Senate