I know, I know. Savor the moment and all that. Unfortunately, the reality is that of a permanent campaign, one that thanks to people like, oh, DKos readers, the Democratic Party is now well-organized for. So what does it look like 2 years down the road when it's time to defend and take more Senate seats?
Dem incumbents: (15)
Blanche Lincoln (AR)
Barbara Boxer (CA)
Chris Dodd (CT)
Ken Salazar (CO)
Daniel Inouye (HI)
Whoever is appointed for Obama's seat (IL)
Evan Bayh (IN)
Barbara Mikulski (MD)
Chuck Schumer (NY)
Byron Dorgan (ND)
Harry Reid (NV)
Pat Leahy (VT)
Patty Murray (WA)
Ron Wyden (OR)
Russ Feingold (WI)
GOP incumbents: (19)
Richard Shelby (AL)
Lisa Murkowski (AK - nepotism)
John McCain (AZ)
Mel Martinez (FL)
Johnny Isakson (GA)
Mike Crapo (ID)
Chuck Grassley (IA)
Sam Brownback (KS) (retiring)
Jim Bunning (KY - if he knows it)
David Vitter (LA - diapers)
Kit Bond (MO - vodak)
Judd Gregg (NH)
Richard Burr (NC)
George Voinovich (OH)
Tom Coburn (OK - forced sterilization)
Arlen Specter (PA)
Jim DeMint (SC)
John Thune (SD)
Robert Bennett (UT)
There aren't a lot of opportunities for the GOP to be competitive in taking Dem seats. They may see Sen. Lincoln as vulnerable, which is kind of silly seeing as she's a good fit for Arkansas. That Illinois seat that will be filled by Gov. Blagorgeous' appointment would look like a ripe opportunity if the Illinois GOP weren't so busy being the Illinois Circular Firing Squad Team (h/t Archpundit). Ken Salazar? Don't know enough about Colorado to comment too much, but he does strike me as a good fit as well. The rest of the Dem lineup is a veritable Murderer's Row of heavy hitters. Defending these seats shouldn't be that difficult.
How about opportunities for pickups from the GOP side? Shelby? Eh. Murkowski? Given how Alaska appears to prefer a convicted felon to a Democrat, neither this nor the possible special election should Begich not pull it out look like very good opportunities. McCain himself? Sounds fun, especially with the strength of Grace Napolitano in Arizona. Mel Martinez might be suffering from Liddy Dole disease, taking care of party politics ahead of constituents - that makes him vulnerable. David Vitter? Wonder how much his little solicitation problem will have blown over by then.
So to list groups of vulnerable GOP seats:
Group 1: Most:
Martinez
Bunning - senility problem not getting any better
Group 2: Probable GOP, swingable with right candidate
Kansas open
McCain
Specter
Burr - long history of single-term Senators from NC
Vitter
Group 3: Longshots
Voinovich
Gregg - New England seat
Bond
Thune
Murkowski - could be a wild card
Group 4: Safe
Bennett
Crapo
Shelby
Grassley
Isakson
Coburn - Who's nuttier? Coburn or Inhofe?
DeMint
Usual caveats: this may change from now to November 2010. Youneverknow what other hookers Vitter might rustle up, who might retire, blahdeblah. But suffice it to say, the Democrats are in a stronger position for the next election.
Commence drafting candidates.