2014: Midterms, Presidential Contests and beyond

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Chris: And now we have a few more closely-watched races coming in. Tonight is a good night to have the last name "Brown." Both former Senators Sherrod Brown and Scott Brown have successfully made political comebacks.

In Ohio, Democratic Governor Ted Strickland was term-limited. Despite Brown's loss in 2012, Ohio Republicans have become increasingly unpopular. While Governor Strickland leaves office with an lukewarm 41/45 approval rating, Ohioans give the Republican Legislative Majority a dismal 32/51 rating. Those numbers translated into an uphill battle for Republican nominee Josh Mandel. While Mandel did well in the west, Brown but together a coalition of the urban north and Appalachian east to win.

Rachel: And in my state of Massachusetts, we will have a new Governor. Governor Duval Patrick forewent a 3rd term in favoring of becoming the new DNC Chairman. While Scott Brown was voted out of his Senate seat in 2012, polls showed that Bay State voters still viewed him favorably. Brown built a geographic coalition similar to that of his 2010 Senate upset. Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray will be losing this race by about 6 points.

Also, very popular Senator John Kerry went unopposed.

Strickland lost to John Kasich in 2010.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

And their names are Don Carcieri and Lincoln Chafee.  You called them by the wrong names.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

My 'predictions'

Oregon: Merkley quitting makes it kinda competitive, but unless they run Smith, it'll probably remain in Democratic hands.

Montana: Leans Pickup. Baucus is very unpopular and Juneau is too liberal.

Wyoming: Safe, unless Enzi quits, where Frudenthal might run.

Idaho: Safe

Colorado: Udall's very visible - he should be fine.

New Mexico: Probable retention. Martinez or Wilson might make it kinda competitive, but maybe not.

Alaska: Tossup. Palin's very polarising, but Alaska is a very red state.

South Dakota: With Johnson running again, he should be favoured.

Nebraska: Safe

Kansas: Safe, unless Roberts loses his primary and Selebius runs.

Oklahoma: Semi-interesting, but it'll most likely remain in Republican hands.

Texas: Semi-interesting, but the Democrats need a really strong candidate.

Minnesota: Probably leans Democratic, but Pawlenty is probably more of a threat than Coleman.

Iowa: Safe unless the country turns sour, which it doesn't appear to be doing.

Illinois: Despite Durbin's retirement, I doubt they'll hand over both seats to the Republicans, plus they have a very strong candidate here.

Michigan: Toss-up. Republicans have a stronger bench here, but it also leans blue.

Arkansas: Leans Democratic, Pryor isn't an exceptionally strong candidate, but you let Lincoln pull off an upset (iirc?) and Pryor also has a famous last-name.

Louisiana: Landrieu would probably lose in real life, but given the identity of the person doing the TL, she probably will eek out another win

Mississippi: Cochran might retire, which could maybe make it interesting, but it's not likely.

Alabama: Easy win.

Georgia: Competitive on paper, but the Democrats don't have strong candidates.

South Carolina: ditto.

Tennessee: The Democrats won the other seat, I'm not sure if the state will elect 2.

North Carolina: Leans Hagan, but will be competitive if the Republicans find a strong candidate.

Virginia: Warner is probably unbeatable, even against McDonnell.

Delaware: Safe.

New Jersey: Depends on LoBiondio's primary. If he wins it, he's the favourite, otherwise Democratic gain.

Rhode Island: Safe

Massachusetts: Safe

New Hampshire: Interesting, but Shaheen will probably hang on.

Michigan is a swing state.  Keep going, though.  And besides, Snyder's probably not running for reelection.  I'm guessing it'll be Bill Schuette vs. Andy Dillon, with Schuette winning.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Oh, and one more thing: Michael Moore for Governor?  Hand me the barf bag, I think I'm gonna do the Technicolor yawn.  In the words of Hubert Humphrey, this would be funny if it weren't so serious.  I'm glad he lost.  Bill Schuette for OTL Governor 2014!

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Oh, and one more thing: Michael Moore for Governor?  Hand me the barf bag, I think I'm gonna do the Technicolor yawn.  In the words of Hubert Humphrey, this would be funny if it weren't so serious.  I'm glad he lost.  Bill Schuette for OTL Governor 2014!

I laughed my ass off there.  Who's Bill Schuette?

He's the Michigan Attorney General.  A Republican and hopefully our next governor once Snyder retires in 2014.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Oh, and one more thing: Michael Moore for Governor?  Hand me the barf bag, I think I'm gonna do the Technicolor yawn.  In the words of Hubert Humphrey, this would be funny if it weren't so serious.  I'm glad he lost.  Bill Schuette for OTL Governor 2014!

I laughed my ass off there.  Who's Bill Schuette?

He's the Michigan Attorney General.  A Republican and hopefully our next governor once Snyder retires in 2014.

Snyder is retiring?  I thought he only was elected in 2010...

He's said that he won't go for a second term if he does what he wants to now.