Council for a Livable World

Political action to reduce nuclear threats

  • Elections
    • Senate Candidates
    • House Candidates
    • Political Analysis
    • Who We’ve Helped Elect
  • Legislation
    • Key National Security Legislation
    • National Security Legislative Calendar
    • Legislative Analysis
    • Legislative Achievements
  • Take Action
    • Issues
    • Join Our Email List
    • Become a Member
  • About
    • Staff
    • Press
    • Newsletter
    • Boards & Experts
    • Jobs & Internships
    • Financials and Annual Reports
    • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Search
You are here: Home / Blog / 60 seat majority in the Senate: a mirage could become a reality

October 8, 2008

60 seat majority in the Senate: a mirage could become a reality

Democrats currently hold a 51 – 49 majority in the U.S. Senate, with the 51st vote being that very independent (read turning Republican) Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut.

Senate rules, however, frequently require 60 votes to prevail on controversial issues, from health care to minimum wage to the Iraq war.  This high threshold has frustrated Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV).

A still higher threshold is required for the Senate to give its advice and consent to treaties — just say, for example, a Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty or a treaty to reduce significantly the number of nuclear weapons.  Both are goals ardently desired for action in the next Administration by those who focus on nuclear weapons .

With the sour atmosphere facing the country, Republicans knew that in this election they faced losses.

Now those losses may get even greater than expected.

Political guru Stuart Rothenberg, writing in the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call [subscription required], suddenly finds a 60-vote Democratic majority a real possibility.

He wrote on October 6: “The outlook in Senate races continues to deteriorate for Republicans, with Democratic gains at least in the high single digits increasingly likely.”

Rothenberg now finds a 60-vote Democratic majority turning from distant mirage to Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) reality.

Rothenberg continues:  “Virginia and New Mexico are already gone, and Colorado, Alaska, New Hampshire and Oregon aren’t far behind. Add in North Carolina, and Democrats are plus-seven (and at 58 seats) without Minnesota or Mississippi, which are up for grabs. “

And he added to this count the unexpected possibilities of Democrats grabbing upsets in both Kentucky and Georgia.

For more on current poling, check out Council for a Livable World’s constantly updated list of polls:
Full polling data is here.

Posted in: Blog

Tweets by Livable World

Recent Posts

  • Statement on the Passing of Former Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder March 15, 2023
  • House Elections: Democratic and Republican Target Seats March 13, 2023
  • An early look at the 2024 House elections March 7, 2023
  • An early glimpse at 2024 Senate elections February 21, 2023
  • Press the Button: The Clock is Ticking February 14, 2023
Council for a Livable World logo

820 1st Street NE, Suite LL-180
Washington, D.C. 20002
Phone: 202.543.4100

Elections

  • Meet The Candidates
  • Senate Candidates
  • House Candidates
  • Who We’ve Helped Elect

Legislation

  • Key National Security Legislation
  • National Security Legislative Calendar
  • Legislative Achievements

Take Action

  • Issues
  • Join Our Email List
  • Become a Member

About

  • History & Mission
  • Staff
  • Press
  • Newsletter
  • Boards & Experts
  • Jobs & Internships
  • Financials and Annual Reports
  • Contact Us
  • Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

© 2023 Council for a Livable World
Privacy Policy