Senator discusses possible Democratic ‘tidal wave’ in D.C.
Posted on Tuesday, October 21, 2008
BROOKE McNEELY Northwest Arkansas Times U. S. Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Arkansas, talks to a political science class taught by David Pryor, his father and a former U. S. senator from Arkansas, Monday at Old Main on the University of Arkansas campus. Pryor talked about the likelihood of a Democratic “ tidal wave ” in Washington and told students about his job as a senator.
U. S. Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Arkansas, told political science students Monday at the University of Arkansas to watch several congressional races Nov. 4 closely. They could result in Democratic majorities in the U. S. House and Senate.
Right now, the party holds narrow majorities in both chambers.
Pryor talked politics with students in his father’s class at the UA. His father is former U. S. Sen. David Pryor.
He said it appears the country is going to have a Democratic president as he relayed the latest Gallup polling numbers showing Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois with a decided lead over Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona.
He discussed the strong monetary support Obama has gained from individuals.
“ In some ways, he’s been able to return politics to the grassroots, ” Pryor told the students.
He also mentioned Colin Powell’s endorsement of Obama this week.
“ I think most Democrats wish the election were over right now, ” he said.
He told the students to watch 11 U. S. Senate races closely because the Democrats are likely to expand their majority in the Senate.
There are 49 Democrats and 49 Republicans in the Senate, with two independents, Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Sanders and Lieberman caucus with Democrats, giving the Democrats a 51-49 majority.
Pryor said there are chances for Democrats to pick up seats in Georgia, Kentucky and Mississippi.
He said incumbent Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss may be in trouble in Georgia, where he is being challenged by Vietnam War veteran Jim Martin, a former member of the state’s General Assembly.
“ This was a race that wasn’t even on a radar screen a month ago, ” Pryor said.
Senate Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, is vulnerable as well, Pryor said.
As for Mississippi, he said, former Democratic Gov. Ronnie Musgrove is challenging Republican Roger Wicker. Wicker is a former congressman, appointed by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour last year to fill the vacancy created by the resigning Sen. Trent Lott.
Pryor said Musgrove may have the best political advertisement he has seen. It focuses on his rural roots.
“ They’ll be very close races. The Democrats could take all three, ” Pryor said.
He cited other incumbent Republicans who could face trouble Nov. 4 and help the Democrats gain an edge in the Senate.
Republicans he mentioned included Sen. Ted Stevens, facing corruption charges in Alaska; Sen. Elizabeth Dole, who appears to be losing her race in North Carolina; and John Sununu in New Hampshire, who is facing a challenge from New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen.
Pryor said a conservative estimate is that there could be 58 Democrats in the Senate after Nov. 4; a more realistic figure is 60, he said.
He said there could be 10 to 20 seats picked up on the U. S. House of Representatives side.
“ People in Washington are starting to say ‘ tidal wave ’ when they look at this election, ” he said.
FEEDBACK:
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
