President-elect Barack Obama came in on a huge Democratic tide, one that pushed his party within spitting distance of a 60-seat supermajority in the U.S. Senate.<\/p>\n
But the Dems now face the prospect of losing three Senate seats in “blue” states within two years.<\/p>\n
Obama’s own seat in Illinois is now at the heart of a cringe-inducing Democratic scandal. <\/p>\n
It’s still unclear who will replace New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton — who is awaiting confirmation as the next Secretary of State. <\/p>\n
But that person will certainly face a withering, high-stakes contest against former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani or possibly former Governor George Pataki.<\/p>\n
Obama has also chosen Colorado Senator Ken Salazar to serve as Interior Secretary, putting that seat up for grabs in two years.<\/p>\n
Even if all three seats flip in 2010, Democrats have some wiggle room left.<\/p>\n
If Al Franken wins the Minnesota contest, the Dems will hold an astonishing 58 seats. Along with the two Independents who caucus with the Dems, that’s the magic 60-number.<\/p>\n
But by 2010, that number may have eroded to just 54 Democrats (assuming a Franken loss). <\/p>\n
That’s still a solid majority, but Republicans will head toward 2012 with some much-needed momentum.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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