# Are Dems going to be better poised to win back the senate in 2016? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 3, 2014, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dems-going-to-be-better-poised-to-win-back-the-senate-in-2016/703414 "2014-11-03T02:54:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2015, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dems-going-to-be-better-poised-to-win-back-the-senate-in-2016/703414/21 "2015-03-11T20:51:55Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > The problem is, what happens if a liberal upstart runs to her left again? Will the Democratic base support a Third Way candidate? In that event, HRC would be the [Third Way](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Way) candidate. (Which is not, BTW, to be confused with Fascist [Third Positionism](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Position).) And I suspect a lefty could give HRC quite a run (but not beat her) for the nomination. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dems-going-to-be-better-poised-to-win-back-the-senate-in-2016/703414/22 "2015-03-12T02:09:38Z")
That’s what I meant. She’s the Third Way candidate. Her centrism isn’t an issue as long as she has no real competition, but if a liberal looks like he or she could plausibly win, what would the base have any use for Clinton for? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dems-going-to-be-better-poised-to-win-back-the-senate-in-2016/703414/23 "2015-03-12T02:31:26Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > That’s what I meant. She’s the Third Way candidate. Her centrism isn’t an issue as long as she has no real competition, but if a liberal looks like he or she could plausibly win, what would the base have any use for Clinton for? Electability in the general – that is, shoo-in national name recognition, and no far-left politics to scare or alienate non-lefties. That said, if it came down to a Warren/Sanders/Kucinich vs. a Cruz/Huckabee/Walker, I’m sure the Warren would win. But I’m not so sure if a Warren could beat a Jeb. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2015, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dems-going-to-be-better-poised-to-win-back-the-senate-in-2016/703414/24 "2015-03-12T08:18:50Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Electability in the general – that is, shoo-in national name recognition, and no far-left politics to scare or alienate non-lefties. > > That said, if it came down to a Warren/Sanders/Kucinich vs. a Cruz/Huckabee/Walker, I’m sure the Warren would win. But I’m not so sure if a Warren could beat a Jeb. Frankly, I think Cruz and Huckabee would stand a better chance of winning than Jeb. But we’re talking low-chance-of-winning vs. very-low-chance-of-winning. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2015, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dems-going-to-be-better-poised-to-win-back-the-senate-in-2016/703414/25 "2015-03-27T12:11:14Z")
Harry Reid will not be seeking reelection: > **[Harry Reid to retire, endorses Schumer to replace him | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2015/03/27/politics/harry-reid-retiring-announcement-2016/index.html)** > > Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said Friday he won’t seek reelection in 2016, a surprise move that’s certain to open a fierce battle for his seat as well. Dan Coats will also not be seeking reelection on the GOP side: [http://news.yahoo.com/republican-sen-coats-retire-wont-run-2016-160141056--election.html;\_ylt=A0LEVx7NSBVV.IUAdglXNyoA;\_ylu=X3oDMTEzYzNsczg0BGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDVklQNjAyXzEEc2VjA3Nj](http://news.yahoo.com/republican-sen-coats-retire-wont-run-2016-160141056--election.html;_ylt=A0LEVx7NSBVV.IUAdglXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEzYzNsczg0BGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDVklQNjAyXzEEc2VjA3Nj) ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2015, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dems-going-to-be-better-poised-to-win-back-the-senate-in-2016/703414/26 "2015-03-27T12:19:47Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Harry Reid will not be seeking reelection: > > [http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/27/politics/harry-reid-retiring-announcement-2016/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/27/politics/harry-reid-retiring-announcement-2016/index.html) > > Dan Coats will also not be seeking reelection on the GOP side: > > [http://news.yahoo.com/republican-sen-coats-retire-wont-run-2016-160141056--election.html;\_ylt=A0LEVx7NSBVV.IUAdglXNyoA;\_ylu=X3oDMTEzYzNsczg0BGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDVklQNjAyXzEEc2VjA3Nj](http://news.yahoo.com/republican-sen-coats-retire-wont-run-2016-160141056--election.html;_ylt=A0LEVx7NSBVV.IUAdglXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEzYzNsczg0BGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDVklQNjAyXzEEc2VjA3Nj) Good news on both sides. This increases the odds of keeping the Nevada seat, increases the odds for a pickup in IN, and robs the GOP of a bogeyman. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2015, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dems-going-to-be-better-poised-to-win-back-the-senate-in-2016/703414/27 "2015-03-27T18:13:07Z")
Odds are good we’ll see a 50-50 Senate after 2016. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2015, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dems-going-to-be-better-poised-to-win-back-the-senate-in-2016/703414/28 "2015-03-27T20:01:42Z")
Tammy Duckworth is taking on Mark Kirk in Illinois, that is a likely Dem pickup. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2015, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dems-going-to-be-better-poised-to-win-back-the-senate-in-2016/703414/29 "2015-03-27T21:22:37Z")
Is the “not a witch” girl running? Isn’t that like her only job? Is Scott Brown going to find a third state to reject him? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dems-going-to-be-better-poised-to-win-back-the-senate-in-2016/703414/30 "2015-03-28T00:57:56Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Good news on both sides. This increases the odds of keeping the Nevada seat, increases the odds for a pickup in IN, and robs the GOP of a bogeyman. Reid isn’t so unpopular that he wasn’t the best candidate to run for the seat. The open seat makes it more likely to be picked up by the GOP, especially if Sandoval decides to run for it. Indiana is a red state. Democrats can win, and this gives them a pickup opportunity, but it’s unlikely. Even in 2012 it took a rape comment. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dems-going-to-be-better-poised-to-win-back-the-senate-in-2016/703414/31 "2015-03-28T00:59:49Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Tammy Duckworth is taking on Mark Kirk in Illinois, that is a likely Dem pickup. I’d be inclined to agree. Duckworth’s a star. And I really have no problem with it, because Duckworth is a moderate and electing one of those in Illinois is just as good as a liberal Republican like Kirk. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dems-going-to-be-better-poised-to-win-back-the-senate-in-2016/703414/32 "2015-03-28T03:46:21Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > I’d be inclined to agree. Duckworth’s a star. And I really have no problem with it, because Duckworth is a moderate and electing one of those in Illinois is just as good as a liberal Republican like Kirk. Unless you care about little things like control of the Senate. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dems-going-to-be-better-poised-to-win-back-the-senate-in-2016/703414/33 "2015-03-28T04:06:13Z")
Well, if Democrats adopt Mitch McConnell’s rules, that’s less important. It’s only important if you’re going to deny the minority the right to amend bills and refuse to bring up bills for votes. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dems-going-to-be-better-poised-to-win-back-the-senate-in-2016/703414/34 "2015-03-28T04:21:30Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > Republicans will argue that Hillary will be Obama’s third term. Democrats will argue that she’ll be Bill Clinton’s third term. Which argument will hold more water? Can’t see why it would matter much. A third term of either of them would be pretty damn good for the country. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dems-going-to-be-better-poised-to-win-back-the-senate-in-2016/703414/35 "2015-03-28T04:43:58Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Can’t see why it would matter much. A third term of either of them would be pretty damn good for the country. If there were a magic button to reset the national debt to zero, then sure, bring on a 3rd Obama presidential term. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dems-going-to-be-better-poised-to-win-back-the-senate-in-2016/703414/36 "2015-03-28T04:56:01Z")
If there were a magic button to reset the national debt to zero, President Obama would have taken a world of shit for not having pressed it already. Hell, he already takes a ration from some quarters for not having magicked one up as it is. ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dems-going-to-be-better-poised-to-win-back-the-senate-in-2016/703414/37 "2015-03-28T17:12:02Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > If there were a magic button to reset the national debt to zero, then sure, bring on a 3rd Obama presidential term. So in the last 30 yrs, which R president did the best job with the national debt, and which D president did the worst? ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dems-going-to-be-better-poised-to-win-back-the-senate-in-2016/703414/38 "2015-03-30T14:13:59Z")
Hey, **Velocity** , where’d ya go? ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dems-going-to-be-better-poised-to-win-back-the-senate-in-2016/703414/39 "2015-05-14T15:08:13Z")
Feingold has announced that he’ll run for his old senate seat in Wisconsin and is immediately favored to win it based on earlier polling. ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dems-going-to-be-better-poised-to-win-back-the-senate-in-2016/703414/40 "2015-05-15T11:50:58Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Feingold has announced that he’ll run for his old senate seat in Wisconsin and is immediately favored to win it based on earlier polling. On, Wisconsin!! Feingold would be a massive improvement. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dems-going-to-be-better-poised-to-win-back-the-senate-in-2016/703414.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dems-going-to-be-better-poised-to-win-back-the-senate-in-2016/703414.md?page=3)