Senate Races in 2010
Some Republicans may be sitting back breathing a sigh of relief now, thinking that they can still control the country because there are enough Republican Senators left to filibuster. Some Progressives may feel that the main job is done now that the Democrats have elected a President and majorities in both houses of Congress. Both of those assumptions are wrong, for opposing reasons.
President-elect Obama is sending a very loud and clear message with the impending appointment of Rahm Emanuel as Chief of Staff. Emanuel, who has a reputation for being both tough and pragmatic, will be taking names. There will undoubtedly be direct consequences for any failure to support Obama. The Republicans, who are likely to attempt to filibuster, will be targeted on all levels, particularly during the 2010 elections. Any Democrat who strays from the party line will likewise be at risk for both appropriations and future campaign support. Joe Lieberman can kiss his ass goodbye on January 21, 2009.
In two years Barack Obama raised approximately $650 million in support of his campaign agenda. He is fully capable of raising another couple hundred million in the next two years to target anyone who tries to impede his progress in achieving that agenda. Rahm Emanuel will be managing the payback list. The Senators on the lists below are up for election in 2010. If any one of them, from either party, gets in Obama's way the payback will be profound and immediate. Progressives have an enormous amount of work to do in the next two years.
Democratic Incumbent Races
Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas
Barbara Boxer of California
Ken Salazar of Colorado
Daniel Inouye of Hawaii
Replacement for Barack Obama in Illinois
Evan Bayh of Indiana
Barbara Mikulski of Maryland
Harry Reid of Nevada
Chuck Schumer of New York
Byron Dorgan of North Dakota
Ron Wyden of Oregon
Patrick Leahy of Vermont
Patty Murray of Washington
Russ Feingold of Wisconsin
Republican Incumbent Races
Richard Shelby of Alabama
Lisa Murkowski of Alaska
John McCain of Arizona
Mel Martinez of Florida
Johnny Isakson of Georgia
Mike Crapo of Idaho
Chuck Grassley of Iowa
Jim Bunning of Kentucky
David Vitter of Louisiana
Kit Bond of Missouri
Judd Gregg of New Hampshire
Richard Burr of North Carolina
George Voinovich of Ohio
Tom Coburn of Oklahoma
Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania
Jim DeMint of South Carolina
John Thune of South Dakota
Bob Bennett of Utah