Any states the GOP could pickup in 2010?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I don't see us hanging onto CA.  We won't run a moderate.  OK, KS?  Sure, but those are red states.  I was kind of thinking towards the bluish/purple states.

Those are the key ones...It would be nice to get CO back after a horrid few yrs there, but Ritter seems moderate and popular.  But, maybe AZ/OR/IL/IA/MI/WI, etc.

We already have AZ. Republicans have pretty good shot at PA if Wagner(D) doesn't run. Also it wouldn't hurt to keep an eye on OH. Granted Strickland is pretty strong but you never can tell and if you are going after IA and WI you might as well gor for OH as well.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I don't see us hanging onto CA.  We won't run a moderate.  OK, KS?  Sure, but those are red states.  I was kind of thinking towards the bluish/purple states.

Those are the key ones...It would be nice to get CO back after a horrid few yrs there, but Ritter seems moderate and popular.  But, maybe AZ/OR/IL/IA/MI/WI, etc.

We already have AZ. Republicans have pretty good shot at PA if Wagner(D) doesn't run. Also it wouldn't hurt to keep an eye on OH. Granted Strickland is pretty strong but you never can tell and if you are going after IA and WI you might as well gor for OH as well.

Trust me on this, barring some enormous scandal, Strickland isn't in any danger, especially not against Kasich.

At the very least it gives the Republicans the opportunity to take the seat should such a scandal be revealed. It would be very unwise to abandon the state considering how important it is. If your already planning on trying for IA as his post suggested it would be foolish not to be in force in Ohio cause I think Ohio would elect a Republican before IA would.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

You mean governor's races?

Certainly Oklahoma, Tennessee, Michigan, and Kansas they have a solid shot at [and VA and NJ in 2009].  They have some competitive holds in California, Hawaii, Arizona, and Nevada.

I believe those are the states that have attracted the most attention

How did PA not get mentioned?

I wondered the same thing. Why mention Michigan and not PA? Thats why I brought it up on my first post on this thread but have yet to get a reply.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

You mean governor's races?

Certainly Oklahoma, Tennessee, Michigan, and Kansas they have a solid shot at [and VA and NJ in 2009].  They have some competitive holds in California, Hawaii, Arizona, and Nevada.

I believe those are the states that have attracted the most attention

How did PA not get mentioned?

Good Lord, enough with Pennsylvania.  I cannot stand that state and the disproportionate amount of attention it gets on this forum.  What a gay place, seriously.

If I hjad to chose btw living here in NC or moving back home to PA, I would move back to PA. There are just too many stupid people here. NC is much more gay then PA. 

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

But PA apparently has a fewer people who still think it's appropriate to use 'gay' as a negative pejorative. Most 10th graders today know better.

Nothing wrong with being a conservative; just don't be an a**hole. It may be too late for Vanderblubb, NC Yankee, but you still have a good chance.

I only used it cause Van used it against PA, and yes I know thats a horrible excuse. You give most tenth graders far too much credit. There are twelth graders in my school who use the word gay to describe everything they dislike. I do fear though that it won't be long before that good chance is long gone, badger.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Homophobia is never necessary regardless of how old you are. Some people just need to grow up. At the same time, it's really offensive when people say that someone or something is "retarded" if they don't like them. It's really sad how cruel people are nowadays.

Oh, cry me a river you sissy. 

And for all you self-righteous pricks who are offended by my usage of the word 'gay', consider that this was our word first before the queers came and took it.  So if anything I should be offended when they call themselves gay, because gay means happy while most gay people are sad, sick individuals with AIDS.

Y'know Blubb, posts like this just confirms my suspicion your computer's search history consists of only the Atlas plus LOTS of hard-core gay porn.

It's OK buddy. Overcome the anger and embrace the real you. We'll accept you no matter how FABULOUS you are deep down. (Or maybe just barely below the surface, judging from your vehemence).

That closet door is wide open, Blubby. Come out singing a show tune dressed like Cher and move to Vermont. We all know it's for the best.

You are forgetting that there is a slight chance that Vander's behavior is all an act. He did have a reputation for some what of a clown from what I've heard.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Crist will save the GOP in the Senate in 2010.  The Gov. seat should stay red as well.

Burr is in major trouble in 2010.  I hope DeMint gets the boot.  The guy is an ignorant idiot and of all the GOPers to go, his ass still sits there.  Judd Gregg for the 1st time could have some problems as well and even McCain could get a run for his $$$. Every other GOP seat should be relatively safe, even if Coburn vacates the seat.  Murkowski of AK should be okay.

The democrats could have some problems  in CT with Dodd if the moderate Rob Simmons runs, but pretty much every other democratic seat is safe.

1. Burr should be concerned but he is not in major trouble(Santorum territory) yet.
2. DeMint is one my five favorite Senators and is very similar to Coburn. The alternatives are just as socially conservative but would have a taste for pork. The Sandford wing of the SC GOP I fear is losing its influence.
3. Gregg is retiring
4. McCain is safe unless JD Hayworth runs, even then he will be favored.
5. Coburn announced his reelection days ago.
6. Murkowski is one of the top Senators I want gone.
7. You are correct about CT, CO might get competative if Frazier wins the GOP nomination, Reid has bullied and scared half the Nevada GOP into supporting him. Plus I wouldn't be predicting a Dem hold in PA yet.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

You mean, the socially moderate group and fiscally CONSERVATIVE, which was how our party was founded?

Your wing of the party has destroyed us and made us unelectable.   Feel free to leave.

The more correct side, of course.

Rockefeller was not a fiscal conservative, he was a liberal through and through. That's why a man named Barry Goldwater ran against him for the nomination cause if I remember correctly Goldwater was social Libertarian so its not like Barry ran on abortion or something like that. This Libertarian=moderate=Rockefeller crap is asinine. If you want to return to the Goldwater/Reagan/Rhodes(The Arizona Rep not the OH Gov) then I can understand, but Libertarians trying to find common cause with Liberal Republicans when there is none by making historical innacurate comparisons isn't going to benefit either group.

You mean, the socially moderate group and fiscally CONSERVATIVE, which was how our party was founded?

Your wing of the party has destroyed us and made us unelectable.   Feel free to leave.

No I also mean the Anti-Israel wing AKA the fiscally conservative wing. My wing didn't destroy us. It's the People who hunt RINOs. I don't Hunts people down and boot them from the party. That's the Ron Paul-Like GOPhers job.

Fiscal conservatives are not all Ron Paulites. I am a fiscal Conservative and Pro-Israel. I guess I don't fit into you simplistic view of the world. Where did George Bush and his compassionate(aka populist) conservatism get us except another unfunded entitlement and another 5 trillion in debt? You can't argue that fiscal conservativism has been in control  of the GOP since the 90's under Gingrich when were both fiscally and socially conservative. When he fell the party took a populist plunge and we will pay dearly for it.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Governor races-

GOP
Colorado (Depends who we get for the GOP nom)
Kansas
Oklahoma
Tennesse
New Jersey (for 2009)

DEM
California (most likely)
Virginia (for 2009)
Rhode Island
Hawaii (most likely)
Nevada (if the GOP renominates the current guy)

Toss-Up
Florida
Michigan
Pennsylvania

Senate Races
GOP
Connecticut (Dodd is almost a for sure no go)
Colorado (If Bennet is nominated)

Dem
Kentucky (If Bun wins nomination)

Toss-Up
Missouri
Ohio
Lousiania (Maybe)
Illinios
New York
Nevada

In the Colorado Senate Seat it has more to do with how stong Frazier(R) is. If he is weak we lose, if he turns out to be strong we can win. Colorado should be Lean Dem. Nevada is safe D, Reid has scarred everyone into supporting him, including many R's. New York and Illinois is safe unless Burris somehow is the nominee but thats unlikely. Ohio is is Toss-up/tilt Dem, but I think Portman will pull through in the end. Louisinia is weak GOP. Kentucky should be Toss-up/Tilt Dem, cause right now there are so many unknowns.

You left out Wisconsin under your Governors.  Doyle is pretty weak with Approvals in the low 40's, and he is trailing Scott Walker(R) by a few points.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

In the Colorado Senate Seat it has more to do with how stong Frazier(R) is. If he is weak we lose, if he turns out to be strong we can win. Colorado should be Lean Dem. Nevada is safe D, Reid has scarred everyone into supporting him, including many R's. New York and Illinois is safe unless Burris somehow is the nominee but thats unlikely. Ohio is is Toss-up/tilt Dem, but I think Portman will pull through in the end. Louisinia is weak GOP. Kentucky should be Toss-up/Tilt Dem, cause right now there are so many unknowns.

You left out Wisconsin under your Governors.  Doyle is pretty weak with Approvals in the low 40's, and he is trailing Scott Walker(R) by a few points.

Harry Reid is in no way safe.  His approval rating is in the toilet.

A little rule about Nevada is, if Harry Reid feels you are a threat he will find a lackey to defeat you or if he can't do that, he will have his lackey the State Atty Gen put you in jail. Half the Nevada GOP has been scarred into backing his reelection. Nevada is Reid's kingdom. I would love to see him lose but the only candidate we have is Dean Hellar and he is a weak candidate based on Geography.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Half the Nevada GOP has been scarred into backing his reelection.

I highly doubt that.

If that was confusing I should have said GOP establishment. There is a list on here somewhere that has all the Republicans that are backing him and its long.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Best case scenario for Republican pickups is

Governor
Pennsylvania
Ohio
Michigan
Wisconsin
Iowa(only if better candidates come forward though)
Tennessee
Oklahoma
Kansas
Wyoming(only if Freudy doesn't run again)
Colorado

Senate
Connecticut
Pennsylvania
Colorado
Nevada(If a good candidate drops out of the sky) 
Delaware(Only if Castle runs)

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Governor races-

GOP
Colorado (Depends who we get for the GOP nom)
Kansas
Oklahoma
Tennesse
New Jersey (for 2009)

DEM
California (most likely)
Virginia (for 2009)
Rhode Island
Hawaii (most likely)
Nevada (if the GOP renominates the current guy)

Toss-Up
Florida
Michigan
Pennsylvania

Senate Races
GOP
Connecticut (Dodd is almost a for sure no go)
Colorado (If Bennet is nominated)

Dem
Kentucky (If Bun wins nomination)

Toss-Up
Missouri
Ohio
Lousiania (Maybe)
Illinios
New York
Nevada

I haven't been paying too much attention to the Gubernatorial races, so I won't refute any of your claims on those *yet.*

As for the Senate races, I'm surprised you don't have New Hampshire under your Toss-Up category as I believe this seat (along with Missouri) is much more likely to flip than Kentucky.

Democrats have a top-tier candidate here in Missouri with Secretary of State Robin Carnahan who was reelected in 2008 with the most votes ever cast for a candidate in the state's history. Keep in mind that she also has the Carnahan name, and her opponent, U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt (R) has the Blunt name. Consider the following formula: Carnahan + Mel = Good, whereas Blunt + Matt = Bad. And while elections are usually always close and competitive in Missouri, I wouldn't be surprised if the Carnahan-Blunt senatorial race is a repeat of the Nixon-Hulshof gubernatorial race in 2008.

As for New Hampshire, the state is becoming bluer by the day. I wouldn't exactly call Paul Hodes a top-tier candidate but the Republicans don't appear to have much of a bench there unless perhaps Attorney General Kelly Ayotte runs in which case it could be close, but I'd still give the edge to Hodes especially if 2010 is a repeat of 2008 and the anti-GOP sentiment is still there. Perhaps Jeb Bradley could run, but I don't think he's that well known outside of the other side of the state, or Charlie Bass, or even John Sununu, but all three of these guys were ousted by Democrats in the past two election cycles.

Kentucky will be interesting, I'll give you that. Poor ole senile Jim Bunning keeps insisting that he's running despite claims from his own party to retire. Must be hard on such a nutter like him. Maybe they have ulterior motives like trying to pressure him so much that he has a mental breakdown and then they can deem him "mentally unstable" and unfit to run for the seat and who knows, maybe they'll send him away in a straight-jacket hahaha. If Bunning survives, I'll give the seat to Attorney General Jack Conway or Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo (hopefully Conway). If the GOP gets a new recruit, I'd still put the seat as toss-up. Kentucky isn't as red as most states and without Barack Obama on the ticket in 2010, Democrats will do much better statewide. I'm sure the Democrats will go outta their way to get the big-guns (Clintons) into the Bluegrass State to campaign for their candidates.

Jeb Bradley is done for. He is running for the State Senate, and will likely lose.

As for Kentucky, the standard story line is Bunning will retire if he doesn't get enough fundraising by years end. Trey Grayson has an exploritory committee that is raising money and will likely have a million or two by the end of the year, and Bunning will have very little. So if this plays out the way it is told Bunning is gone and the Seat is Moderately to Strong GOP. If Bunning "pulls a Bunning" and reneges on this promise then of course all bets are off.