The Occasional Observer

The CS Monitor has a story up today that sums up where we've been and where we're heading. From a 55-seat majority down to a 45 seat minority, and possibly lower if the top of the ticket is Fred-Thompson-weak in '08. With Allard, Hagel and John Warner retiring, they point out that that's three incumbent seats that the GOP will have to spend resources on just to play defense, two of which were relatively safe seats (Allard's approval numbers have been borderline). The Monitor also seems fairly convinced that VA and NE could both wind up Dem anyway, even if the GOP decides to dump national resources there.

I'd have to agree when it comes to Virginia. Now that Mark Warner is planning to run for John Warner's old seat, it's almost in the bag. I'd be shocked, however, if NE went Dem, even if, as they say, Bob Kerrey decides to end his retirement.