Council for a Livable World

Political action to reduce nuclear threats

  • Elections
    • Senate Candidates
    • House Candidates
    • Political News and Notes
    • 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 seats in the Senate? Plausible, says Chris Cillizza

October 14, 2008

60 seats in the Senate? Plausible, says Chris Cillizza

With additional Senate contests tightening as Republican support ebbs in the face of the terrible economic situation, another political pro calls the  possibility of Democrats winning 60 seats in the next Senate plausible.

Wrote Chris Cillizza in washingtponpost.com on October 10:  “Sixty seats for Democrats remains something less than a 50-50 proposition but a relatively plausible path to a filibuster-proof majority does exist.”

As I previously pointed out, 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.

According to Cillizza, the Senate contests mostly likely to switch parties in  the most likely to least likely order (with the winner if the seat changes hands listed):

1.  Virginia (former Gov. Mark Warner)

2.  New Mexico (Rep. Tom Udall)

3.  Colorado (Rep. Mark Udall)

4.  New Hampshire (former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen)

5.  North Carolina (Kay Hagan)

6.  Oregon (Jeff Merkley)

7.  Minnesota (Al Franken)

8.  Alaska (Nick Begich)

9.  Kentucky (Bruce Lunsford)

10. Louisana (John Kennedy)

For more on current polling, 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

  • ‘Increases the risk of nuclear escalation’: statement on the NDAA committee approval June 23, 2022
  • Council: Front and Center: June 18, 2022 June 18, 2022
  • Top 11 critical races June 15, 2022
  • House Elections: Democratic and Republican Target Seats June 14, 2022
  • Council: Front and Center: May 21, 2022 May 21, 2022
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
  • 2020 Senate Candidates
  • 2020 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

© 2022 Council for a Livable World
Privacy Policy