CO-Sen: Mike Coffman out

[Heisenberg]

I think Keyser (one of the candidates who got on the ballot by signatures) is a stronger candidate in the GE.

[Heisenberg]

I agree. If things don't change, Republicans should concede this race and focus entirely on Nevada and maybe Maryland as possible pick-up opportunities. It's sad because Bennet is definitely very vulnerable.

Maryland?  I think Republicans should focus on picking up NV, and defending PA, FL, and OH.  Those are their four firewall seats for holding the Senate.  If this was a midterm year, and Szeliga was running against Edwards, then maybe Maryland would be competitive, but I don't think so.

[Heisenberg]

I agree. If things don't change, Republicans should concede this race and focus entirely on Nevada and maybe Maryland as possible pick-up opportunities. It's sad because Bennet is definitely very vulnerable.

Maryland?  I think Republicans should focus on picking up NV, and defending PA, FL, and OH.  Those are their four firewall seats for holding the Senate.  If this was a midterm year, and Szeliga was running against Edwards, then maybe Maryland would be competitive, but I don't think so.

What we need to do (if we lose the presidential election, which is looking possible thanks to Donald the RINO) is maintain at least 53 seats in the Senate.  That makes the path to 60 in 2018 very, very realistic (probably more likely than not).

Our path to 61 seats in 2018:
First, this year:
Jolly or DeSantis hold FL
Heck picks up NV
Portman and Toomey hold their seats
Johnson, Kirk, and Ayotte lose
This gives Republicans a 52-48 majority
Then, in 2018:
Racicot or Zinke pick up MT
Dalrymple (or another Republican) picks up ND
Wagner picks up MO
Ballard (or another Republican) picks up IN
Those are the four lowest hanging fruits.  That puts us at 56-44.  But it doesn't stop there!
We can also pick up these seats if we try, and get strong recruits:
OH, VA, PA, WI, FL.  Picking up all 9 gives Republicans a 61-39 majority.  Of course, I wouldn't bet on it, but it is definately doable.

[Heisenberg]

At this point you should be hoping to end up with more than 45 seats this election in order to win back the Senate at all in 2018.

The problem for Democrats is that the same early general polls that show Clinton crushing Trump in a landslide show most incumbent GOP Senators leading their Democratic opponents (sometimes by wide margins). The only Republican who appears kind of doomed is Ron Johnson.

Maryland?  I think Republicans should focus on picking up NV, and defending PA, FL, and OH.  Those are their four firewall seats for holding the Senate.  If this was a midterm year, and Szeliga was running against Edwards, then maybe Maryland would be competitive, but I don't think so.

You're probably right, but it doesn't hurt if they at least spend some time and money there. If her numbers don't improve, they can still pull out of the state later.  If only the CO GOP was running as good candidates as the MD GOP, lol.

I agree wth you on the Senate races.  Even when Clinton is up against Trump in some states (MO, NC, AZ), polls still show Blunt, Burr, and McCain very close (and usually even ahead), so be prepared for some ticket splitting.
And as for MD, I think Szeliga is a strong recruit.  It's an open seat, so maybe if Republicans spend a little time and money there, they can trick Democrats into thinking its competitive, and the Democrats will move resources out of other races to defend Maryland.