In the November election, 35 US Senate seats will be contested. In five states, the incumbent Senator is retiring (all five are Republican) guaranteeing a new, first-time US Senator in Colorado, Virginia, New Mexico, Idaho and Nebraska. Let's meet the potential new Senators to see what we can look forward to.
In Colorado, the new Senator will either be the former Republican Congressman Bob Schaffer or Democratic Congressman Mark Udall. Bob Schaffer was a reliable Republican vote during his three Congressional terms on nearly every major, disastrous policy of Republican majority, including ridiculous distraction issues such as banning gay adoptions and criminalizing flag desecration. In addition, he let Tom DeLay and convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff take him on the infamous 1999 excursion to the Mariana Islands, where he reported that the sweatshop labor conditions at offshore factories were just dandy. Interestingly, nowhere on the issues page of his Senate campaign website does the word Iraq appear; gee, I wonder what he's hiding from. Mark Udall reportedly had his own problems listening too much to Abramoff's money, but otherwise his Congressional voting record is nearly the opposite of Schaffer's. In other words, sensible and smart. In Colorado, hopes for moving this country forward lie with Mark Udall.
In Virginia, two former Governors, Jim Gilmore (R) and Mark Warner (D), will battle for the open seat. Both of these politicians have long, complicated records beyond the scope of this article. Jim Gilmore's emphasis on education would be admirable, if he weren't also a Family Values, anti-abortion, tax-cutting nut job. According to his website, his policy for Iraq is to support the troops. Meanwhile, Mark Warner left office with a great reputation inside and out of Virginia. His name was frequently mentioned as a potential Presidential candidate; we'll be just fine with him as a replacement for John Warner as the new Senator from Virginia.
In New Mexico, Pete Domenici is retiring after 35 years. Interestingly, all three New Mexico US representatives retired from their House seats to run for this Senate seat. Republican Steve Pearce defeated Heather Wilson, and will face Tom Udall (Mark's cousin) in November. As seen in the other races, these candidates don't seem to think the issues matter very much, judging by the scarcity of information provided on their websites. Steve Pearce's contribution to American democracy, in his very brief tenure in Congress, was to introduce a bill that encouraged Americans to snitch on each other. On the other hand, Tom Udall's career reflects a deeper understanding of the issues facing the US and the world, a more progressive outlook, and a sensibility that reminds me of his Governor, Bill Richardson. Tom Udall will be a valuable Senator in the Democratic majority.
Whoever the new Senator from Idaho is, he will quickly sink into obscurity, where Larry Craig was before his toe-tapping visit to the bathroom in the Minneapolis airport. Jim Risch, the Republican candidate used to be Governor of Idaho, and now serves as Lt. Governor. If he wins a Senate seat, who knows what his aspiration will be after that. Maybe he'll run for Mayor of Pocatello. That would be a suitable position for him, because, according to his website, he has no position on one of the most critical issues facing the US today. You guessed it, the word Iraq does not appear anywhere on the issues page of his campaign website. The Democrat in this race, Larry LaRocco, ran for the position of Lieutenant Governor of Idaho - and he lost to Jim Risch! I just hope he wins this time, when it matters.
A serious man, Chuck Hagel, is retiring in Nebraska, and his successor will either by an absolute joke (Mike Johanns - Republican) or the type of politician you can dream of, Scott Kleeb - Democrat. Mike Johanns is the Bush crony who served as Secretary of Agriculture. He still loves the Iraq War, but apparently didn't care too much about toxic spinach or mad cows. Scott Kleeb has a Master's degree in International Relations and a PhD in History from Yale. If Mike Johanns wins, I will have a hard time restoring my faith in the people of Nebraska.
When you look at these races to replace the five retiring Senate Republicans, you gotta believe you're looking at five pick ups for the Democrats, even in these Republican voting states. I can't wait until November.
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Meet Five New US Senators
Posted Jun 11th 2008 1:48AM by David Koller
Filed under: Politics, U.S. Senate, Young Turks
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 3)
1. Dave,
Thanks for wasting my time with your "analysis". One line stating "I support the Democrat, regardless of whether or not he's the best candidate" would have been sufficient.
bob at 6:49AM on Jun 11th 2008
2. Young Turks? You wish. More like "Young Ceausescus". Ditto, Bob.
ptg at 7:47AM on Jun 11th 2008
3. Cenk
You forgot Al Franken running for Senate seat in Minnesota. He is just perfect for your choice and you did not mention him. His sexist article in Playboy was demeaning to woman, fits the Progressive Democrats mold of going after woman as they did with Hillary. Al Franken will also be a tax and spend Democrat Senator who likes to spend but does not like to pay his own taxes.
The 5 people you mentioned for US Senate seats, you could have saved space and time away from your cartoons and said vote for anyone who is Democrat.
This way next year we can be sure to have much higher taxes and more spending, and a few more white flags for an Iraq surrender from the 5 Progressive Democrats you support.
Only problem is Cenk is that your Obama had done another flip flop and now will not withdraw the troops right away, he will wait until the time is right to withdraw the troops. He is starting to sound like Bush. He also did a flip flop on Iran and will do what ever is necessary to protect Israel from Iran.
Robert OKane at 8:25AM on Jun 11th 2008
4. Remember people, vote early, vote often, and vote dead or alive. Well done Turks.
gshort3011 at 9:15AM on Jun 11th 2008
5. They are starting to squirm.... Can you see 'em? I love it. Regardless of how the presidential election goes, the Democrats are going to mop up in the Senate.
BTW... Okane said, "His sexist article in Playboy was demeaning to woman, fits the Progressive Democrats mold of going after woman as they did with Hillary"
Comedians say outrageous things sometimes. Get over it.
Okane and his small minded brethren are really starting to clutch at straws... It's pathetic.
Tampa Tony at 9:33AM on Jun 11th 2008
6. ANY BODY BUT BARAK
hossein at 10:49AM on Jun 11th 2008
7. ANY BODY BUT BARAK
hossein at 10:50AM on Jun 11th 2008
8. "Steve Pearce's contribution to American democracy, in his very brief tenure in Congress, was to introduce a bill that encouraged Americans to snitch on each other."
...and barack obama, in his very brief tenure in congress, introduced zero bills.
cenk -- have you ever written anything objective in your life? this is just a democratic puff piece. i wouldn't buy into your senate picks if you paid me.
wtf at 11:38AM on Jun 11th 2008
9. Why would anybody with half a brain vote democratic? They are the biggest hypocrits, and will turn on you in a split second e.g Cindy Shehan or sleazehan or what ever her lib butt was.
my name is Robert and i approve of this message
Roberto Padilla at 7:38PM on Jun 11th 2008
10. LMAO...its great watching the Republicans squirm and cringe.They were stupid enough to let thier control of congress go to thier puny little minds and they nearly destroyed a nation..dont worry you sorry bunch of losers once we have a bigger majority your party can take a long reflective vacation and enjoy a better America..its better to burn out than to fade away..my my hey hey..
John at 12:52PM on Jun 11th 2008
11. wtf...do you find time in your life between the lies about Obama to actually look up the facts..oh yeah I forgot those have nothing to do with being a Republican voter..you dont need facts you just vote according to your state of mind...empty.
John at 12:56PM on Jun 11th 2008
12. What a great day it will be a Democratic congress and a Black President..every republican nut job in America will be whining and wondering what purpose FOX news will serve then..they will probably say that having big ears is a sure sign of a Terrorist Muslim and next thing you know they will blame salmonella ridden tomatoes on Obama and 75% of them will actually believe it.LOL what a party its like watching Saturday night live but the satire is real.
John at 1:03PM on Jun 11th 2008
13. Let me just clear up a few misconceptions...
#1 - This article was written by David Koller not Cenk Uygur.
#2 - The Young Turks is a progressive democratic organization so if you're looking for objectivity just turn on FOX - the fair and balanced network!
#3 - Al Franken writing a comedy piece about internet pornography for Playboy back in 2000 does not make him a sexist any more than John McCain is for calling his wife a "cunt" or Barack Obama is for calling a reporter "sweetie".
#4 - His name is spelled "Barack" but his close friends call him "Barry".
#5 - The only people who are "going after woman" will be the conservative Supreme Court Justices who will advance the repeal of Roe v. Wade if John McCain is elected.
FINN at 1:12PM on Jun 11th 2008
14. If we're going to turn this country around we need a democrat majority in the house. Personaly I prefer a multi party system to what we have but we are'nt there yet. History shows that economicaly we the people prosper more with a demoocratic house than a republican house. With a republican house large business prospers more and the working stiff suffers more. Why can't we get system that both labor and management can live the ameican dream?
Bob Wilkinson at 1:19PM on Jun 11th 2008
15. @ John:
wtf...do you find time in your life between the lies about Obama to actually look up the facts..oh yeah I forgot those have nothing to do with being a Republican voter..you dont need facts you just vote according to your state of mind...empty.
- - -
...sounds like you want to name that legislation obama wrote during his couple of years in the u.s. senate...? because that's what i said doesn't exsist. and if you want to disprove the "facts" i'm putting out there, i'm looking forward to it. something he wrote and introduced - not something he sponsored. i'd vote wherever the facts point - and obama looks like a weak case at best. sorry.
why so fussy with your comments???
wtf at 2:06PM on Jun 11th 2008