2010 US Senate Election Results

Odds are that Democrats will maintain control of the U.S. Senate in the November 2, 2010 elections, but by the slimmest of margins... say, two votes.

But if the political gods are smiling down on Republicans next Tuesday, conservatives could still win enough toss-up races to take the reins of the U.S. Senate in January 2011.

Fact is that a remarkable number of Senate races remain in flux just five days before voters go to the polls, including five races that are entirely unpredictable with polling differences well within the margin of statistical error:

* Colorado, where appointed incumbent Sen. Michael Bennet is narrowly trailing Republican Ken Buck, an attorney and avid subscriber to Tea Party stances on economic issues
* Illinois, where the choice between candidates is admittedly dismal
* Nevada, where media-avoiding, gun-toting, racially-confused Tea Partier Sharron Angle is leading Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid by a couple points
* Pennsylvania, where Democratic Rep. Joe Sestak, retired Rear Admiral and 30-year Navy veteran, has found traction against perennial Senate candidate Pat Toomey, a leader of the conservative slash-government movement
* West Virginia, where Democratic Gov. Joe Manchin has gained momentum against the very wealthy Republican owner of Chairman of the Board of West Virginia Radio Corporation.

But a handful of other Senate races could also unexpectedly put long-time Democratic senators out of office, including:

* California's Sen. Barbara Boxer, running for a fourth term after ten years in the House
* Washington's Sen. Patty Murray, running for fourth term
* Wisconsin's Sen. Russ Feingold, member of the both the Judiciary and Foreign Relations Committees and possibly the senator most respected by progressives, running for a fourth term

What to Expect in 2010 Senate Elections Results
Here's what to firmly expect as you watch Senate election returns next Tuesday evening:

* 1. Expect a few bona fide shocker results.
* 2. Expect results from the raucous Alaska Senate race to not be finalized for days.
* 3. Expect Sharron Angle to claim the election was stolen from her if Harry Reid prevails in Nevada.
* 4. Expect Arkansas, Indiana and North Dakota to elect Republicans to replace Democrats now holding those seats.
* 5. 2. Expect gloating Republicans to declare it a glorious night for conservatives, no matter the results.

And in the 112th U.S. Senate that takes office a bit more than two months from now, expect partisan polarization, legislative gridlock, and ugly rancor the likes of which our country may never have before seen.

My fervent prayer is that these 100 elected leaders will coalesce as patriots who love their country, and lead us back to rational dialog and sensible governance.

My nervous fear is that if the Senate continues on its path of shameful (and apparently shameless) dereliction of duties to the American people, that our great country could be irreparably damaged and even seriously destabilized.

source: Deborah's US Liberal Politics Blog