How Republicans will win the Senate

It gets tiresome hearing the conventional wisdom say that the Democrats will likely keep control of the Senate. Far from it.

To gain control, Republicans must win 10 new seats. An analysis of the latest polling data suggests Republicans currently hold the lead in eight pick-up states: Pennsylvania, Colorado, Wisconsin, Washington state, Arkansas, Delaware, North Dakota and Indiana. In a ninth, Illinois, the candidates are tied and, in the 10th — Nevada — Reid is ahead by only one point. And, for insurance, Boxer in California and Gillibrand in New York are both below 50 percent of the vote. In Connecticut, Blumenthal is only at 50 percent. That’s a potential pickup of 13 seats and a likely gain of at least 10 (enough for a majority).

It gets tiresome hearing the conventional wisdom say that the Democrats will likely keep control of the Senate. Far from it.

To gain control, Republicans must win 10 new seats. An analysis of the latest polling data suggests Republicans currently hold the lead in eight pick-up states: Pennsylvania, Colorado, Wisconsin, Washington state, Arkansas, Delaware, North Dakota and Indiana. In a ninth, Illinois, the candidates are tied and, in the 10th — Nevada — Reid is ahead by only one point. And, for insurance, Boxer in California and Gillibrand in New York are both below 50 percent of the vote. In Connecticut, Blumenthal is only at 50 percent. That’s a potential pickup of 13 seats and a likely gain of at least 10 (enough for a majority).
Any incumbent who is running at less than 50 percent of the vote is in serious trouble. It means that a majority of the voters has decided not to vote for him or her. (Asked if you are likely to be married to the same person next year, a vote of “undecided” does not bode well for your marriage.)

So here are the numbers:

Aug. 27 polls

Nevada: Reid (D) 45, Angle (R) 44 (Mason Dixon)

With Reid this far under 50 percent, Angle is likely to win

Aug. 26 polls

Florida (currently Republican): Rubio (R) 40, Crist (I): 30, Meek (D): 21 (Rasmussen)

So much for Crist!

Pennsylvania: Toomey 40 (R), Sestak (D) 31 (Franklin-Marshall)

Aug. 25 polls

Colorado: Buck (R) 49, Bennett (D): 40 (Reuters)

California: Boxer (D) 49, Fiorina (R) 44 (Rasmussen)

Boxer has gained a bit, but still in trouble

Louisiana (currently Republican): Vitter (R) 51, Melancon (D) 41 (PPP)

Wisconsin: Johnson (R), 47 Feingold (D) 46 (Rasmussen)

Illinois: Giannoulias (D) 45, Kirk (R) 45 (Rasmussen)

Aug. 24 polls

Missouri (currently Republican): Blunt 54, Carnahan: 41 (Rasmussen)

Aug. 21 polls

Washington state: Rossi (R) 52, Murray (D) 45 (SurveyUSA)

Aug. 20 polls

Arkansas: Boozman (R) 65, Lincoln (D) 27 (Rasmussen)

This is not a typo!

The most likely results are that Republicans win the eight seats in which they now lead and also take Illinois and Nevada for a gain of 10 seats and control. They also have a good shot in California and possible upsets in New York and Connecticut.