damkira said:
Bursche said:
I really doubt that the Senate will get a super majority. The Republicans up to 2006 were really screwing the pooch, but lately they have really been on top of their game.
I really hope for just a small majority like it is now so we can see if Obama or McCain can handle reaching across the aisle like they both say they can (McCain already has proven he can, but I really doubt Obama can.) |
A super majority would be 67 members, enough to override a presidential veto. I don't think the Democrats will be able to pull that off this election.. Although, We're picking up at least 4 seats (New Hampshire, Virginia, Colorado and New Mexico) and it looks like we'll be winning in Alaska as well. There are a few other races where Democrats are in a great position (Oregon comes to mind) I say net gain of 6 seats, for a majority of 55 (not counting Lieberman and Sanders). Not too shabby. |
I was not refering to the Article 1, Section 7 requirment to override a presidential veto. If Obama is elected as I predict, a Democratic supermajority to override his veto would be superfluous. I was refering to the requirment to end a filibuster in the Senate. That is also refered to as a supermajority. In 1917 the Senate adopted rule 22 (cloture) to end a filibuster. This required a two-thirds majority to end debate. The Senate revised rule 22 in 1975. The revisement changed the requirement from a two-thirds majority of 100 senators to a three-fifths majority of all senators sworn in. Considering there are usually 100 senators sworn in, this would create a supermajority threshold of 60 senators. In addition to the states you have mentioned, there are a few other states I think Democrats have a good chance of winning. I believe Musgrove is likely to beat Wicker in the election for Lott's seat in MS. Barrasso in WY may also be vulnerable. I disagree about Smith in Oregon. Although he is an incumbent and polling below 50%, he was comfortably ahead of his challenger in the latest Rasmussen poll. And even if Lautenberg and Landrieu lose their seats, I doubt it will be enough to mitigate Democratic gains.
