By Thomas Ferraro Sun Oct 7, 8:46 AM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - 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.
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.
moreWith an Independent or two, some other combinations that would be workable:
94th Congress (1975-1977)
Majority Party: Democrat (60 seats)Minority Party: Republican (38 seats)
Other Parties: 1 Conservative; 1 Independent
Total Seats: 100
96th Congress (1979-1981)
Majority Party: Democrat (58 seats)Minority Party: Republican (41 seats)
Other Parties: 1 Independent
Total Seats: 100
Near perfection, almost veto proof majority:
90th Congress (1967-1969)
Majority Party: Democrat (64 seats)Minority Party: Republican (36 seats)
Other Parties: 0
Total Seats: 100
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