Normally safe Democratic seats could be taken

The GOP is within striking distance of taking over the U.S. Senate in 2011.  If you believe our recent analysis (or that of Larry Sabato), the GOP would find itself with 48 seats in the Upper Chamber versus 52 for the Dems, if the election were held today.  However, why should the party stop there?

With Scott Brown’s victory in Massachusetts, nothing seems impossible and therefore, the party faithful should go full-steam ahead to help take back our country by focusing also on the following races:

California

The despicable Barbara Boxer is up for re-election and recent polls show that a Republican could beat her.  Like Massachusetts, California has not elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate in many years, but perhaps now is the time.

Connecticut I

When Sen. Christopher Dodd (D) announced his retirement, this race went from a likely GOP pickup to a likely Democratic hold.  However, with neighbor Massachusetts show how best to beat a Democrat, perhaps the GOP isn’t dead here after all.

Connecticut II

While not up for reelection this year, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I) would certainly be sought out by the GOP for a vote if the other races produce a 50-50 tie come November.  Lieberman – the 2000 Democratic vice presidential candidate – has made it no secret that he is tired of the Democratic Party that he current caucuses with, and if the opportunity presents itself, he might just bolt the party that he left in 2006 all together.

Indiana

Sen. Evan Bayh (D) has done very well as a Democrat in a pretty reliable Republican state (save for Obama in ’08), serving first as governor and then two terms as a U.S. Senator.  However, it looks like Rep. Mike Pence is thinking about joining the race, which would give the GOP a top-tier challenger.  One might recall that in 1980, Evan’s father Birch was defeated for reelection for the same office by someone named Dan Quayle.

Washington

Sen. Patty Murray (D) was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1992, 1996 and 2004 by healthy margins.  If the GOP has any chance of actually taking the majority this year, knocking off Murray might be essential.  In 2004, Murray beat Rep. George Nethercutt, who joined the House in 1994, after knocking off then-Speaker Thomas Foley (D) as part of the Republican Revolution.

Wisconsin

Sen. Russ Feingold has represented the Cheese State since 1992, winning between 51 and 55 percent of the vote in each of his three contests.  Safe to say that if Feingold goes down, the U.S. Senate will be in GOP hands