2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumNate Silver's Senate model
I just learned something interesting about 538's Senate model. I originally assumed that the listed probability of a Dem Senate was the probability of Democrats gaining four seats. But of course, four seats isn't enough in a hypothetical world where Trump wins tomorrow. In that case, five seats would be required (since VP Pence would break the tie).
So Nate's model uses its forecast in the presidential race to determine what happens if Democrats gain four seats. That means that in 30% of the simulations where Democrats get four seats, Nate's Senate model tracks that as Republicans controlling the Senate. So if you just want to see the probability that Democrats get four seats, that currently comes out to 54.5% in polls plus (an increase of about 5%). It is interesting that as Clinton's probability in the model has decreased, that had a slight direct affect on the Senate model (above and beyond any affect measured in polls for Senate races).
Of course, a 5% increase isn't huge; it looks like it will still be neck and neck. But it's a welcome surprise to see the odds of a four seat gain higher than I thought, in his model.
Glamrock
(11,802 posts)But, I don't think it'll be that close. Like George Bush and Stephen Colbert, I go with my gut! And, my gut is telling me that there's going to be a whole lot of Republicans staying home.
still_one
(92,226 posts)Whether they stay home Glamrock or cross over, that will work
Glamrock
(11,802 posts)Let's change that to "from our lips to God's ears," yeah?
still_one
(92,226 posts)Cordy
(82 posts)Here is why.
Battle for the House of Representatives
Current House (232 R, 202 D, 1 I): Democrats Need to Pick Up 15 Seats For Control
HOUSE: 222 D, 213 R (D +19) On the Republican side, RCP's Final House ratings list thirteen seats in the Leans Democrat category, fourteen in the Toss Ups column and twenty seats rated Leans Republican. On the Democratic side, 2 seats are rated as Toss Ups with 4 Leaning Democrat.
Splitting Toss Ups 50/50, RCP projects Democrats picking up 19 seats in the House of Representatives with an overall range of 14 - 24 seats.
Leans Dem (13)
AZ-8: Open (Kolbe)
CO-7: Open (Beauprez)
OH-18: Open (Ney)
PA-7: Weldon
IN-8: Hostettler
IA-1: Open (Nussle)
NY-24: Open (Boehlert)
NY-20: Sweeney
PA-10: Sherwood
TX-22: Open (DeLay)
NC-11: Taylor
OH-15: Pryce
FL-16: Open (Foley)
Toss Ups (14) The last poll votes show Dems winning.
NH-2: Bass D
IN-2: Chocola D
FL-13: Open (Harris) D
NM-1: Wilson D
OH-1: Chabot D
CT-4: Shays D
IN-9: Sodrel R
IL-6: Open (Hyde) D
PA-6: Gerlach D
AZ-5: Hayworth D
CT-5: Johnson D
CA-11: Pombo D
OH-2: Schmidt D
KY-3: Northup D
Leans GOP (20)
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/writeup/battle_for_the_house_of_representatives-51.html
BzaDem
(11,142 posts)pat_k
(9,313 posts)Here's from Cook Political http://cookpolitical.com/house/charts/race-ratings
D Gain
FL-10 (Likely D)
VA-04 (Likely D)
FL-13 (Lean D)
NV-04 (Lean D)
NH-01 (Lean D)
D-Loss
FL-2 (Likely R)
FL-18 (Lean R)
Net: D Gain = 3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 D Seats At Risk in Toss Up (Listed Below)
16 R Seats At Risk in Toss Up (Listed Below)
So, absolute best case, we win all toss ups: Net D Gain = 16 on Toss Up
Overall gain 19
Which would make it
D 188+19 = 207
R 247-19 = 228
So if we see Dem seats total approaching, or exceeding 207, we have reason to be extremely happy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Miracle Scenario:
Win all Toss Ups
AND
Win 11 of 12 Lean R
For total of 218
--------------------------------------------
D Toss Up
MN-08
NE-02
R Toss Up
CA-10
CA-2
CA-49
CO-06
FL-07
FL-26
IL-10
IA-01
ME-02
MN-02
NV-19
NJ-05
NY-19
PA-08
TX-23
VA-10
pat_k
(9,313 posts)pat_k
(9,313 posts)Last edited Tue Nov 8, 2016, 04:45 AM - Edit history (1)
I want to just jump to Wednesday and see what happened.
Who knows? Maybe dreams can come true. I see it now, pollsters shocked as Dems win 10 of the 12 races for Governor; shocked as Dems not only win all the toss up Senate seats, they take down McCain, Rubio, and Portman...
Back to reality. I think it'll be good. Not that good. But good. I do have a feeling there will be an upset or two -- and I have a feeling they'll be in our favor.
DeminPennswoods
(15,286 posts)If one toss up seat goes Dem, it's more likely than not that all of them will. That would mean candidates like Murphy in FL, Kander in MO and Kirkpatrick in AZ win too.
pat_k
(9,313 posts)If toss ups do tend to move in concert, perhaps we could win all, or a vast majority of the House seat toss ups and get close to 207
Actually winning back the House would take a miracle scenario in which we not only win all toss ups, but also win 11 of 12 Lean R seats.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=2603883