I apologize for interjecting something hopeful [View All]

into the stew of pessimism and candidate squabbling.

The dems have an excellent chance to build a better Senate with a sizable majority next year. And if they do, we have a better chance of passing progressive legislation and getting out of Iraq, if we have a dem president- even if it's Clinton.

In New Mexico, Udall is in and he's way ahead of Heather (Nipple) Wilson. A new poll has him at 55% and her at 38%.

In Colorado, Tom Udall's cousin, Mark, has a good chance of beating Bob Schaeffer who's way on the right. Both Udalls have good progressive/liberal voting records. Both voted against the IWR.

In NH, Jeanne Shaheen shouldn't have too tough a time beating John Sununu. She's generally considered an old fashioned liberal.

In Oregon, the Udall cousin we want voted out, Gordon Smith, is polling under 50%. He does have a boatload of money and the likely dem candidate for the dems, the House leader, is behind. In addition, there's a third party candidate, Frohmeyer. But it's doable, and Oregon's blue majority is growing.

In Virginia, Mark Warner, who is not a progressive, but is a strong improvement over John Warner, will beat the crap out of Jim Gilmore, right wing nut.

In Alaska, not a very dem friendly state, the repuke party has been imploding due to corruption. This is another state where the odds aren't bad for a dem pick-up.

In Kentucky, Mitch is having real problems, and polling just about 50%, sometimes hovering under, and sometimes just over.

In Maine, Susan Collins is substantially leading Tom Allen, but I think this one will be the surprise win for dems. Tom Allen is a strong candidate and Collins has handed him lots of ammunition in the form of unpopular votes. He's doing well raising money too.This would be a very sweet victory. Most analysts put this race in their top ten list.

In MN, Norm Coleman is in trouble. Al Franken is raising a lot of money, and Ciresi is also a possibility. Either one will run a strong race against Norm.

There are other repuke Senators who are likely to announce their retirements. Even MS could be in play.

The House too could see a number of dem pickups. 16 repuke reps have announced their retirement. Only 4 dems have. Increasing the number of dems in the house by 10 or so would give cover to blue dogs and new dems. It would be more difficult for them to vote with the repukes.

I'm more interested in Senate and House races than the presidential race, though I do want a dem president. When we have sizable dem majorities in Congress, the odds of passing progressive legislation is much better.

You may now ignore this hopeful news, and return to doom saying.