Calling all DU'ers: Here's a plan to take the Senate and 10 House seats

Let's start with the House.

The 2002 House
229 R -205 D-1 I,

The 2004 House*
219-215-1,



First up the special elections.

Open Seat (KY-6) (R) Rep. Ernie Fletcher was elected governor defeating Attorney General Ben Chandler 55-45. Ben Chandler is the Democratic candidate. Special election will be held on February 17, 2004

Open Seat (SD-1) (R) Rep. Bill Janklow has been convicted of manslaughter. Janklow will resign on January 20, 2004
Stephanie Herseth is a strong candidate for Democrats.
Special election will be held on June 1,2004

Result: Democratic pick up of two seats.


GOP Freshmen whom we need to beat.

Max Burns- Georgia 12th Congressional District
(55-45) 54-45 Gore
Bob Beauprez - Colorado 7th Congressional district
(47-47) 47-47 Gore
Rick Renzi - Arizona 1st Congressional District
(49-46) 51-46 Bush

Result: Democratic pick up of three seats.


Let's upset this terrible trio

John Hostettler Indiana 8th Congressional District
(51-46) 56-42 Bush
Anne Northup- Kentucky 3rd Congressional District
(52-48) 50-48 Gore
Rep. Heather Wilson New Mexico 1st
(55-45) 48-47 Gore

Result: Democratic pick up of three seats.

The Open seats

Open Seat (WA-5)
Rep. George Nethercutt is leaving his House seat to run against Senator Patty Murray. Democrats have united around Business man Don Barbieri.

Open Seat (CO-3)
Rep. Scott McInnis is retiring. This is another swing district.
Democrats have recruited state rep. John Salazar to run.
Result: Democratic pick up of two seats.

Vince Witacre and AWD , fellow du'ers, could score the Demcorats some huge upsets.

* If the DeLay re-redistricting plan is upheld, it will erase all the possible democratic gains in 2004

The Senate

The 2002 Senate: 51R-48D-1I
The 2002 Senate: 50R-49D-1I


Alaska: In 2002 Frank Murkowski retired from the Senate and ran for governor. He won the gubernatorial election and then promptly appointed his daughter, Lisa Murkowski, to his Senate seat. Alaskans were out raged and view this as a form of nepotism. With out any nudging by eager Democrats, Former Governor Tony Knowles jumped into the race this summer. Murkowski may have to face not only Knowles but also vicious primary with angry Republicans. This is another race worth watching.
My Prediction: Toss up


Illinois: Embattled GOP Senator Peter Fitzgerald is retiring after only one term. The vulnerable Republican Senator probably feared he would lose election. In 2002 Democrats captured the Governor’s mansion for the first time since 1976. Illinois is not only a liberal state it is also trending left. Republicans will need either an extremely bloody Democratic primary or Bush to winning in a landslide, if they hope to hold on to this seat.
My Prediction: Likely Democratic Pickup



Oklahoma: After spending 24 years in the Senate, Republican Senator Don Nickles announced he would retire. This is bad news republicans who will now have to defend a previously safe GOP seat. Democratic Congressman Brad Carson a Rhodes Scholar and the House’s only Cherokee Indian is running to replace Nickles. Oklahoma is already looking forward to its first close Senate election in years.
My Prediction: Toss Up


Prediction: Democrats eke it out in Oklahoma, Alaska and win in Illinois. GOP picks up Georgia


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As Howard Dean, says, "You have the power, to back America.


If we put some time and resources into to these races, we can give the man or woman who beats Bush, a liberal capitol hill.


Clark's Coatails could also be another factor.

We might win it regarless if Specter wins or loses the nomination.

Is he like Ron Klink.

up with solutions to their problems by learning to glean info/tatics/and insight from hanging out here.

They will find/use Info only a DEM can appreciate and, perhaps, make the diff between victory and Silence of the Lambs.

In fact, might be a good idea to Really promote this DU to all of the Democratic Candidates across America, from the County to the National Level/

This could be the Pubs worst fear.


Let it roll

Should we ask Skinner to email them?

The DU can be the SOURCE, the GO TO PLACE for those struggling DEM Candidates out there.

Let them come, learn what was said, what is Pub Bullshit, How to gather talking points, the good kind, let them come to learn of the smoke screens, the Distortions, distractions, those Pub guys use.

A solid foundation gives the best odds for the Building to stand/last.

Let DU become a short cut to a solid DEM foundation.

Come to the DU and learn how to get the BEST ODDs

...throwing help and support to people who already ARE DUers and running in the House?

I know of two longtime DUers who are already on the balllots in their respective districts.

Please consider at least mentioning us next time you post a thread on trying to take back Congress, please?

You and Vince in Wisconsin plus the 10 seats I identified would give us the majority.

I can't belive I forgot about you guys. This is the exact number of seats we need!
Go kick some GOP ass

:bounce::bounce::bounce:

Don't sweat it....it's not your job to remember us. It's MY job to remind you about us over and over and over and over again until you can't help but remember us.

And I'll keep getting the message out in the same manner.....many, many times.

Good Luck! Ralph Regula is a real jerk.

Space, a Thread of their own. in Statewide categories.

Each Dem Candidate joins in a State Thread and post their positions. This they should be able to access with changes, etc. The result if we can respond to them : is interactive system. We can answer their questions, etc/ They shall have to be able to discern/ the Good from the Bad/Ugly. In this manner we could become THE EDGE.

Some of us DUers are old and over the hill. All we can do is tell our old stories. Many DU guys are younger ones, they also want to help. In between lies the working DU, the Middle DU, they with the most power/energy.

Together we can forge a coalition dedicated to assisting DEM Candidates.... on the DU Format.

Newt, I know, :puke:, oops double :puke::puke:, did this with GOPAC

highly successful.

Come, we go start the fires of TRUTH

If Ahnuld is fuckin' up (which is likely) then a strong Dem could oust him just on the grounds of him being at fault for hurting California even more. Which is something that would be WAY too easy to pull off. We could also potentially take on other Repugs in the House who backed Arnie on the same grounds.

add that to the plan.

A flawed Clark way better than a good Bush.

Clark would win in Arizona, helping to defeat Rick Renzi.

Clark would win in New Mexico, helping to defeat Heather Wilson.

Clark would win the 3rd district in Colorado and in the 7th, Helping pick up two seats.

Next year's Senate election will be mostly Democratic seats challenged.
You are not taking into account Democrats who may lose their re-elections.
Being a cheerleader doesn't help us win, it only leaves us unprepared and blindsided by crushing defeat.

My complete, unadultreated preview.


My Preview of the 2004 Senate
With 2004 Presidential election looming, the Medias interest in Senate elections appears to be waning. Senate is no longer tied and Republicans have a “switch proof majority.” This lack of drama will also make it harder for candidates to fundraise. Normally Senate races are fought on local issues but in 2002 the media reminded voters daily that each seat had a chance do change the out come of the Senate. Moderate Republicans who normally would vote for a Democrat stayed loyal to Bush. Republicans expect to reap the benefits of Bush’s coattails. The states that I predict will have the closest elections are the following, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Oklahoma, Alaska, Illinois. Three of the closest races are deep in the heart of the south. All three of these are open seats with the Democratic incumbent retiring. Republicans will likely win at least one out these three elections. The remaining 3 Senate seats are in solid Bush states, Oklahoma and Alaska. The final seat is in Illinois where Republican Senator Peter Fitzgerald is retiring. This seat is in a solidly Democratic state. This is an almost certain pick-up for Democrats.



North Carolina: On September 7, 2003, Democratic Senator and Presidential candidate John Edwards announced he would not run for reelection. After Edwards decision, North Carolina Democrats turned to there failed 2002 Senate nominee to Erskine Bowles to run. He will have to face Republican Congressman Richard Burr. My prediction: GOP leaning
Revised Prediction: Toss up

South Carolina: This summer, Democratic Senator Fritz Hollings announced he would not run for reelection. He has been represented South Carolina in the Senate since 1966. Democrats recruited a strong candidate in Inez Tenenbaum. She was able to survive the GOP sweep in 2002 and be reelected State Superintendent of Education with 59% She will face Republican congressman Jim DeMint My Prediction: Toss up.

Georgia: Democrats in Georgia are in disarray after the upset loss of the Governorship and Max Cleland’s Senate seat. When Zell Miller announced that he would not run for reelection Republicans rejoiced. Republicans believe this is the last step before the y gain complete domination of Georgia. Demoralized Democrats were turned down by Andrew Young and this moment have not gotten there first tier, second tier or even third tier candidates to run.
My prediction: Likely GOP pick-up

Oklahoma: After spending 24 years in the Senate, Republican Senator Don Nickles announced he would retire. This is bad news republicans who will now have to defend a previously safe GOP seat. Democratic Congressman Brad Carson a Rhodes Scholar and the House’s only Cherokee Indian is running to replace Nickles. Oklahoma is already looking forward to its first close Senate election in years.
My Prediction: Toss Up



Alaska: In 2002 Frank Murkowski retired from the Senate and ran for governor. He won the gubernatorial election and then promptly appointed his daughter, Lisa Murkowski, to his Senate seat. Alaskans were out raged and view this as a form of nepotism. With out any nudging by eager Democrats, Former Governor Tony Knowles jumped into the race this summer. Murkowski may have to face not only Knowles but also vicious primary with angry Republicans. This is another race worth watching.
My Prediction: Toss up

Illinois: Embattled GOP Senator Peter Fitzgerald is retiring after only one term. The vulnerable Republican Senator probably feared he would lose election. In 2002 Democrats captured the Governor’s mansion for the first time since 1976. Illinois is not only a liberal state it is also trending left. Republicans will need either an extremely bloody Democratic primary or Bush to winning in a landslide, if they hope to hold on to this seat.
My Prediction: Likely Democratic Pickup

States that might have competitive races: Pennsylvania, Washington, California, Louisiana
Florida: Bob Graham is retiring after a failed run for president. Peter Deutch is favored to win the Democratic nomination. Former GOP Rep. Bill McCollum is the most probable GOP candidate. With a Presidential campaign looming and a weak field of Democrats and Republicans this will be a nightmarishly tight election.
Update: Rep. Katherine Harris is on the verge of jumping in to this race.
Liberals hate her as much as conservatives hate Sen. Hillary Clinton

My Prediction: Toss Up

You're right, we could gain quite a few seats!