Obama’s Secret Weapon: Favorable Senate RacesPaul Hogarthbyline‚ Sep. 22‚ 2008While the lion’s share of attention for November is focused on the presidential race, a related (and almost equally important) fight is the battle for the United States Senate, where Democrats hope to expand on their slim majority. Barack Obama is favored to win the White House, and Democrats will expand on their House majority. But come next year, expect Republicans in the Senate to wage aggressive filibusters—bringing all progressive legislation to a screeching halt. And while a 60-plus majority in the Senate is still very much a long shot, Democrats are virtually guaranteed to win at least four seats. And the Senate seats most likely to flip—Virginia, New Mexico, New Hampshire and Colorado—all happen to be in swing states that will pick the next President. For all the talk about an “Obama-effect” that is helping Democrats run for the House and Senate that has expanded the map, a “reverse-coattail” effect in these four states can make Obama the next President. |