To gain control, Republicans must win 10 new seats. An analysis of the latest polling data suggests that Republicans currently hold the lead in eight pick-up states: Pennsylvania, Colorado, Wisconsin, Washington state, Arkansas, Delaware, North Dakota and Indiana. In a ninth, Illinois, the candidates are tied, and in the 10th -- Nevada -- Harry Reid is ahead by only one point. And, for insurance, Barbara Boxer in California and Kirsten Gillibrand in New York are both below 50 percent of the vote. In Connecticut, Richard Blumenthal is only at 50 percent. That's a potential pickup of 13 seats and a likely gain of at least 10 (enough for a majority).
Any incumbent who is running at less than 50 percent of the vote is in serious trouble. It means that a majority of the voters have decided not to vote for him or her. (Asked if you are likely to be married to the same person next year, a vote of "undecided" does not bode well for your marriage.)
So here are the numbers:
Aug. 27 polls
Nevada: Reid (D) 45, Sharon Angle (R) 44 (Mason Dixon)
With Reid this far under 50 percent, Angle is likely to win
Aug. 26 polls
Florida (currently Republican): Marco Rubio (R) 40, Charlie Crist (I) 30, Kendrick Meek (D) 21 (Rasmussen)
So much for Crist!
Pennsylvania: Pat Toomey 40 (R), Joe Sestak (D) 31 (Franklin-Marshall)
Aug. 25 polls
Colorado: Ken Buck (R) 49, Michael Bennet (D): 40 (Reuters)
California: Boxer (D) 49, Carly Fiorina (R) 44 (Rasmussen) Boxer has gained a bit, but still in trouble
Louisiana (currently Republican): David Vitter (R) 51m Charlie Melancon (D) 41 (PPP)
Wisconsin: Ron Johnson (R) 47, Russ Feingold (D) 46 (Rasmussen)
Illinois: Alexi Giannoulias (D) 45, Mark Kirk (R) 45 (Rasmussen)
Aug. 24 polls
Missouri (currently Republican): Roy Blunt 54, Robin Carnahan 41 (Rasmussen)
Recommended
Aug. 21 polls
Washington state: Dino Rossi (R) 52, Patty Murray (D) 45 (SurveyUSA)
Aug. 20 polls
Arkansas: John Boozeman (R) 65, Blanche Lincoln (D) 27 (Rasmussen) This is not a typo!
The most likely results are that Republicans win the eight seats in which they now lead and also take Illinois and Nevada for a gain of 10 seats and control. They also have a good shot in California and possible upsets in New York and Connecticut.
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