Very few things have been as frustrating this year as watching the GOP Senators continually obstruct any progress on Iraq and most other progressive issues. They have filibustered almost everything. The GOP Senate caucus has allowed George Bush to stay the course in Iraq.
With the 2008 election just over a year away, it's not looking good for the GOP caucus. Between scandals, retirements and the war, Democrats have a chance for major gains. Major gains:
Democrats are positioned to bolster their Senate majority in next year's elections, which would give them more clout regardless who succeeds President George W. Bush in the White House.The Senators who are running in 2008 were all elected in the war fervor of 2002. It was five years ago this week that the Senate voted to go to war -- and it was a vote to go to war. Everyone knew it.
With Republicans dogged by retirements, scandals and the Iraq war, there's an outside chance Democrats will gain as many as nine seats in the 100-member Senate in the November 2008 elections, which would give them a pivotal 60.
That is the number of votes needed to clear Republican procedural roadblocks, which have been used to thwart the Democrats' efforts to force a change in Bush's policy on the Iraq war, particularly plans to withdraw U.S. troops.
The last time Democrats had an overriding majority in the Senate was in the 1977-1979 congressional session, when they held 61 seats.
"Sixty is not outside the realm of possibility," said Jennifer Duffy, who tracks Senate races for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.
"But for that to happen, everything would have to break their way," she said. "Right now, it's way too early to say."
In the Senate elections of 2002, the Iraq war was the issue. In 2008, it will be again -- but with a much different outcome.
