Now The GOP Needs To Worry About The Senate In 2016

JamesL

JamesL

Tonight’s darker omen for the GOP: Losing the Senate in 2016

However well Republicans do tonight, President Obama will retain a veto pen. That means GOP control of both chambers is of limited utility (though not zero) for the next two years.

So one thing for Republicans to root for tonight is a GOP majority that can withstand the likely Democratic gains of 2016. That will be hard to accomplish, now that New Hampshire is off the table.

Up for re-election in 2016 in states Obama won are first-term GOP Sens. Marco Rubio (Florida), Ron Johnson (Wisconsin), Mark Kirk (Illinois), Kelly Ayotte (New Hampshire), and Pat Toomey (Pennsylvania). These senators all won in the GOP wave of 2010. Hanging on — especially in Pennsylvania , Wisconsin and Illinois — in a presidential year is a very heavy lift. New Hampshire and Florida won’t be easy, either.

Given how thoroughly Republicans ran the map in 2010, finding new states to pick up seats is very hard.

So if Republicans end tonight on track to control 52 or 53 seats, they start off in a hole for 2016.
 
I think the R's will behave themselves and survive 2016. But if they go Full Tea Party and try and shut down government and try to impeach the Big O, then 2016 will be a disaster and Hillary will be able to declare a public mandate for whatever she has in mind.
 
Covertibility said:
I think the R's will behave themselves and survive 2016. But if they go Full Tea Party and try and shut down government and try to impeach the Big O, then 2016 will be a disaster and Hillary will be able to declare a public mandate for whatever she has in mind.
More...

They don't have to shut down anything. They can simply force Obama to do it.
 
It's all about the math, regardless of what they succeed or fail with over these next 2 yrs. Reps will be hard pressed to keep the majority in '16, especially the coattail effect if Clinton is on the ballot.

I'm just glad they gave a slap-down to Carville's idiotic statement after '08 that it ushered in 40 yrs of Democratic dominance and Repubs would be in the desert for yrs.
 
Reps could choose not to worry about '16 just yet and try to do something good for the US, now. Like repudiate Obama's economic measures (or lack thereof) and show us all how to really stimulate the economy and create jobs. Perhaps by cutting taxes on the majority... wait, they don't pay much anyway... cutting taxes on the wealthy! Yeah, and reverse the sequestration's spending cuts and... spend more! That would be something new for reps, cut taxes and increase spending. The resulting BOOM would even reduce the deficit and enable us to pay down our debt!

; )
 
There is a saying in politics that overnight is a long time and a week is an eternity. So much could change between now and the next elections that it is pointless to speculate. The situation now does appear to shape up harder for the republicans, but not impossible.

The idea that Hillary Clinton will be this unstoppable force has yet to be proven. She is polarizing, lacks political skills and carries more baggage than Delta.

If republicans avoid major unforced errors, like passing amnesty, they should be fine. They need to play small ball and not try for any huge achievements that will likely require considerable compromise with obama. Force the democrats to take tough votes that will hurt them in 2016.
 
I want to see them reign in , or even hold to account, some of the out of control bureaucracies, but will they? Doubtful. They could start with the EPA, IRS, and so on. Won't be holding my breath, though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top