Poll: Dems On Track To Winning Major Senate Seat
Democrats could be in for a major Senate win in the GOP stronghold of Alaska, a new poll finds.
The survey by local firm Hellenthal and Associates finds Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich leading longtime incumbent Republican Ted Stevens by a margin of 51%-44%, thanks in large measure to the ethics investigations that have dogged the incumbent.
Democrats haven't won a federal election in Alaska since 1974, so a win here would definitely be a really big deal.
Meanwhile, the poll also shows Rep. Don Young (R) narrowly trailing his primary opponent, Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, by 37%-34%. The data shows that Young would likely lose the general election by a 58%-38% landslide against likely Dem nominee Ethan Berkowitz, while Parnell edges out Berkowitz 43%-38% in a trial heat.
It's Mike Gravel's world and we're all just living in it.
June 9, 2008 8:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is EXCELLENT NEWS!! FOR TEDDY!!!
(sorry, idiotic.)
June 9, 2008 9:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just as a point of information: What is the difference in a major Senate seat and a minor one?
June 9, 2008 9:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
All your tubes are belong to us!
June 9, 2008 9:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
"What is the difference in a major Senate seat and a minor one?"
A major Senate seat is really a series of tubes...;
ah, oops, what i meant to say is, it is a seat you never expect to get(?). --pja
June 9, 2008 9:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
At the risk of giving the superstitious night tremors, how many senate pubbie seats are at really serious risk this year?
1) Pete Dominichi (NM) is retiring. Dem Tom Udall is the favorite by a long shot. Bonus points as Heather Wilson, and Steve Pearce(R's, NM) had to give up their house seats to chase this one. (OK, so did Udall to be fair, but it is still a twofer for the dems)
2)Al Frankin looks very strong to take the MN seat of Jim Cohen.
3)Stevens of AK behind in this poll.
OK, that is half of what the dems need to be able to tell Joe Lieberman "BITE ME!" What other senate seats can the dems maybe pick up.
June 9, 2008 10:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
The incumbent Republican is Norm Coleman.
Jim Cohen was another DFL candidate who dropped out a while back.
June 9, 2008 1:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
kevbo, Colorado, Virginia and New Hampshire all seem pretty likely.
June 9, 2008 10:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Why are the Democrats in the Senate not dumping Lieberman now? Hardly anything of importance will come up btween now and Jan '09. They would still control the agenda and they will be out of session more than in for summer recess, convention recess, election recess, thanksgiving recess, Christmas recess and they will disband this congress. If the Republicans do gain control the Democratis can constipate the process as the Republicans are now. They would certainly have precedents. He is like a canker that won't go away. Too bad Ct. can't recall him. I can't believe this is what they wanted when they elected him. Hopefully Ct. will vote 100% Democratic in Nov.
June 9, 2008 10:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Looks to me like Young winning his primary would be good news for Dems.
Any locals have insight as to Young's plans if he loses primary? Would he run as Independent?
June 9, 2008 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Kevbo,
Al Franken is seeking the Minnesota Senate seat currently held by Norm Coleman.
June 9, 2008 1:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, and the impressions of Franken's supposed great strength are somewhat distorted in this. A bit surprisingly.
June 9, 2008 2:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
I couldn't recall the name, so I googled and got news items from the primary race, and Cohen was close enough to match my flawed memory. Coleman, not Cohen, got it.
gjdodger: Nice! A filibuster-proof senate majority is a lot to hope for, but it seems like it might be within reach.
June 9, 2008 2:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
2006...
Cake: Taking over the House.
Icing: Taking over the Senate.
2008...
Cake: Obama replaces Bush as President.
Icing: Big gains in House; filibuster-proof majority in Senate.
June 9, 2008 3:15 PM | Reply | Permalink