With momentum already on their side more than six weeks before Democrats launch their post-Labor Day shock and awe offensive against the Republican Party responsible for the 2008 global recession that cost millions of Americans their jobs, homes and life savings, recent polling is showing an increasing likelihood that Democrats will begin the Senate in 2011 with at least 72, and possibly as many as 74, seats. (Correction: I meant 62-64 seats.)
Here are the polls (Democrats on top. Rasmussen excluded in all but one for obvious reasons)
These are the expected Democratic pick-ups
Florida 7/16-18
Crist (I) 35 (Crist will likely caucus with Democrats)
Meek (D) 17
Rubio (R) 28
Kentucky 6/28-30
Conway 43
Paul 43
Louisianna 7/13-18
Melancon 43
Vitter 44
Missouri 7/13 (Rasmussen has been the only pollster since March)
Carnahan 45
Blunt 47
North Carolina 7/15-19
Marshall 37
Burr 35
Ohio 6/26-27
Fisher 42%,
Portman 40%
Republicans will likely take North Dakota. While they are threatening Arkansas and Delaware, these are by no means already decided.