GOP Optimistic About 2010 Senate Chances

Sen. John Cornyn Says George Bush Being Out Of Office And Barack Obama Being Off The Ballot Presents "Opportunities" For GOP

(CBS)  This story was written by CBS News' Director of Political Coverage Steve Chaggaris.

The new head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Tex., said today the landscape will be different for 2010's Senate races as compared to last November's elections because "George Bush will not be in office."

"Now, what's different about 2010 than 2008? Well, George Bush is one of them,” Cornyn told reporters at the NRSC headquarters in Washington. His point was that many of the attack ads run against Republican candidates in 2008 “involved references to their connection with George Bush ... taking advantage of his low poll numbers and trying to tie that candidate to the president.”

Cornyn also pointed out that President-elect Barack Obama won’t be on the ballot in 2010, which he thinks “presents an opportunity” for Republicans.

“There’s no denying the phenomenon that the Obama campaign was in American politics,” Cornyn said. “In a midterm election, a non-presidential election year, there won’t be the kind of turnout you would ordinarily expect in a presidential year, nor will there be, I believe, the kind of enthusiasm you saw on the Democrat side.”

The 2010 midterms are shaping up to be an uphill battle for Republicans; they’ll be defending 19 seats while the Democrats have 17 seats up. And four Republicans have already announced they will not be running for re-election: Sens. George Voinovich, R-Ohio; Kit Bond, R-Mo., and Mel Martinez, R-Fla. - all from toss-up states. The fourth retiree, Sen. Sam Brownback is from Kansas, where popular term-limited Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius may decide to run for Senate.

If that’s not enough stress, the pressure will be on for the Republicans not to lose any seats. Currently holding only 41 seats, if the GOP drops below that number, they hand the Democrats a filibuster-proof majority, losing their last institutional power as the minority party.

In fact, Cornyn is using says they plan to use that as part of their strategy in next year’s Senate races.

“I think there’s a natural aversion of the American people to put all their eggs in one political basket. And we’re going to be reminding them that that would happen if in fact the Democrats did get a filibuster-proof supermajority.”

Looking past the adversity, however, Cornyn sees opportunities, many of them created by Barack Obama himself.

“First he’s eliminated two key strong state office holders - [Agriculture Secretary nominee] Tom Vilsack and [Homeland Security Secretary nominee] Janet Napolitano - from running for Senate in 2010,” Cornyn pointed out. He mentioned the Delaware seat that will be vacated by Vice President-elect Joe Biden tomorrow (to be filled through the 2010 special election by Biden aide Ted Kaufman) as another “opportunity.”

In addition, Secretary of State nominee Hillary Clinton and Energy Secretary nominee Ken Salazar’s seats “provide us opportunities,” said Cornyn.

A virtual unknown statewide in Colorado, Denver Public Schools superintendent Michael Bennet took Salazar’s place and, Cornyn mocked, “the idea that Caroline Kennedy, having never run for office before, could be the next senator from New York” gives the Republicans “opportunities.”

He also thinks the way the appointment of Roland Burris to fill Mr. Obama’s vacant Senate seat was handled has given the Republicans a real shot in Illinois in 2010, something they never thought possible in the state where Republicans have had trouble getting elected statewide in recent years.

“As a result of the national embarrassment that has occurred here in Washington with regard to the Roland Burris affair, and the cloud that will invariably follow Mr. Burris as United States Senator, having been appointed by a soon to be indicted governor for corruption. That’s an opportunity, I think, for us,” said Cornyn.

It’s unclear whether the 71-year-old Burris, who will be sworn in Thursday, will run in 2010, but clearly Cornyn is salivating at the prospect.

“I don’t see how Mr. Burris can separate himself from the situation in which he was appointed.”

[tyjohn47]

The GOP became optimistic about their 2010 Senate chances as they strolled through the Candy Cane Forest....should be the headline.

[parisdakar]

It''s all a game to them. They''re just thinking about their own team, and their own careers.

[antoniof123]

Does this guy think we will forget about Bush in 2 years or the fact that the GOP back him rubber stamped him. Then blocked everything for the past 2 years.

My God neocons really are dumber than dirt.

[dubya_luvr]

You democrats are the ones too optimistic. Ya forgot how such good critics we were.

Posted by william412 at 01:07 PM : Jan 14, 2009

Try this:

"You Democrats are the over-optimistic ones, not us Republicans. You have forgotten how good we are as critics"

There, fixed that for you. Next time ask an adult to proof-read before you post.

[omega40]

Another hot tip from Miss Cleo to the idiots at the GOP. It follows other great predictions such as the GOP will hold Congress (uttered before the last elections) and McCain/Palin are going to win.

[omega40]

Posted by peace4321
Obama won because it was paid for

Paid for by Americans, while your corporate special interests group sat this last election out knowing what buffoons were your fellow nazis McCain/Palin. Republiscum will not only be in the minority for at least the next 40 years, but they will only control the White House for no more than 8 - 12 of the next 40 years, too.

Posted by ConDumbistan

Now now ConDumbistan, anything is possible. For instance, America could suffer a collective cerebral hemorrhage on the way to the voting booth next year.

[ford555551]

All high school dropouts, college are Republican. People with little intellect or no intellect are most like be a Republican, Time and time again it is proved by the highest level of leadership in Republican Party, for example Ronald Reagan, Bush senior, off course current Dumb Bush, Sarah Palin. I can go on and on. So where ever I heard a about a republican, first thing comes in my mind is %u201CMust be a moron with no education and 2nd thing is, Crook.

[trillion1]

These fools actually think American''s are going to forget what they''ve done to us over the last 8+ years.

[walt1944-2009]

It has been learned that the Neocon Fascist Nazi Republican Party expects to gain seats in Congress in 2010 due to the departure of the Great Emperor Bush II into history and the Great Emperor Obama not on the ballot.

Apparently, the neocons expect that Obama will fix the economy, create millions of jobs for the USSA, and bring back the middle class from "the brink"! They expect that things will improve greatly and that the average citizen, having a SHORT memory and being basically stupid anyway, will forget all about the horror of the past 8 years and who was responsible for this economic disaster in the first place!

As usual, the neocons have not consulted history which shows that when FDR was elected in 1932, it wasn''t until 22 years later that a Republican sat in the White House and even longer before they had any majority in Congress, all thanks to a minor event called THE GREAT DEPRESSION!!!!

SIG HEIL, SIX DAYS LEFT (THEY TELL ME!)!!!, BUSH!!!

[lemonskink]

What happened to all the GOP loyalty toward Bush. They followed him like a god, accepted everything he said as gospel, and voted for everything the idiot wanted. Now, they are the Brutus to Caesar. I love it. Lieing sons a b.itches.

[takebackusa]

ps. Ever notice when a liberal gets mad they curse to high heaven? When a Republican gets mad, they laugh.. because they know better.


Posted by peace4321 at 01:23 PM : Jan 14, 2009

You haven''t read any of Rowdy''s rants on here have you?

[omega40]

His point was that many of the attack ads run against Republican candidates in 2008 %u201Cinvolved references to their connection with George Bush ... taking advantage of his low poll numbers and trying to tie that candidate to the president.%u201D

The nerve of the Democrats for pointing out that Republicans rubber stamped the Bush agenda with absolutely no oversight for the entire six years they held the majority.

[Gary Kempf]

The new head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Tex., said today the landscape will be different for 2010''s Senate races.

It seems Cornyn needs visual aids to grasp facts. The Republican party needs to make a line chart to show the U.S. Economy when Bill Clinton left office.
And one in Red with Bush, It will be even easy for this moron to comprehend. The red line showing downward total collapse of the U.S.economy, "Not Good"
under Republican control.

[irmcvet971]

Now THIS Moron is a Member of the National Alliance of Zero Intelligence! LOL I guess the chances are so great that 4 or 5 of Moderate Republican''s to decide NOT to run!! LOL This Cracker doesn''t have a clue what the American People think of HIM and his Party right now, NOR does he have ANY idea what Working People are going through because of him and HIS failed Policies. ANY member of the N.A.Z.I party that runs with that same old tried LIE we''ve heard for 30 years.... The joke couldn''t be elected Dog Catcher outside the Fascist South!!

[irmcvet971]

By 2010 the depression will be so bad that they will
vote for anything but a democrate

Posted by popstom11 at 01:31 PM : Jan 14, 2009


So YOU think people are to stupid to KNOW who''s policies got them into this?? You think People don''t KNOW who it was that removed all those Regulations on Banking.... Who took a balanced budget and surplus and turned that into RECORD Debt? Who BORROWED a TRILLION Dollars to give the Rich a Tax Cut?? Yep you certainly are a member of the National Alliance of Zero Intelligence alright. ROFLMAO Sieg Heil!

[irmcvet971]

These fools actually think American''''s are going to forget what they''''ve done to us over the last 8+ years.

Posted by trillion1 at 01:32 PM : Jan 14, 2009


Yep! They think we''re all a bunch of dead from the neck up Red Necks I guess! LOL

[irmcvet971]

ps. Ever notice when a liberal gets mad they curse to high heaven? When a Republican gets mad, they laugh.. because they know better.


Posted by peace4321 at 01:23 PM : Jan 14, 2009

I don''t know about that but I have noticed that the PEOPLE usually turn to the Democrats when you fascist have fed a LIE to them so long it''s got them in a Depression. WORST PRESIDENT in US HISTORY and We''re going to forget that in TWO YEARS!! Yeah you go sell THAT snake oil Sprky... LOL Sieg Heil Y''all.

[vranger]

Actually the GOP should have a lot of room for optimism for the next election. Now that the Democrat controlled Congress that failed to act on pressing issues (so that they could mistarget the blame onto the Executive Branch during the elections) has a fellow Democrat about to reside in the White House, they have NO WHERE TO HIDE, and NO ONE TO BLAME. When their ridiculous policies only make things worse over the next two years, they''re going to have a hard time accomplishing one of their favorite tactics, pointing at scapegoats.

[irmcvet971]

Oh well...the golden years are behind us. Now we get to struggle under Democrat rule.

Posted by Eliphord at 01:49 PM : Jan 14, 2009

Really!! Well dazzle us then! Give us ONE MONTH in the 20 YEARS we tried Trickle Down that we WERE NOT running in the RED?! IF those were our "Golden Years" you losers should at least be able to sight ONE MONTH of success?! This folks is what I call a CHARTER MEMBER in the National Alliance of Zero Intelligence Party! Sieg Heil Y''all.

[irmcvet971]

Actually the GOP should have a lot of room for optimism for the next election. Now that the Democrat controlled Congress that failed to act on pressing issues (so that they could mistarget the blame onto the Executive Branch during the elections) has a fellow Democrat about to reside in the White House, they have NO WHERE TO HIDE, and NO ONE TO BLAME. When their ridiculous policies only make things worse over the next two years, they''''re going to have a hard time accomplishing one of their favorite tactics, pointing at scapegoats.

Posted by vranger at 01:55 PM : Jan 14, 2009

Sparky there''s a Bar just a few blocks from this Ford Plant here. I''d like for YOU to visit with the fella''s who go in that Gate EVERY day trying to feed and care for their families. I''d like for you, as a Member of the National Alliance of Zero Intelligence Party, to sit down with them and explain what you just posted here. It would be a fitting end to someone so disgusting and another member of the N.A.Z.I Party to using some of his Health Care. Sieg Heil

[irmcvet971]

Stupid southern white trash usually vote for their fellow southern white trash because no matter how low these southern white trash go, their loyalty to their kind is unbreakable.

Posted by ConDumbistan at 01:59 PM : Jan 14, 2009

LOL Yeah I really amazes you just how bad they really are... but to even THINK that the rest of this nation is like them?? 6 more day''s, that''s all I can say. 6 MORE days.

[irmcvet971]

nSo true. We will have to suffer for the next two years under the liberals until our holy party ressurects themselves just like Jesus did.

Posted by mrs_zambesi at 02:02 PM : Jan 14, 2009

BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHA Hey didn''t I meet you a few years ago?? A fascist dressed in a HOOD and Sheet told me the EXACT same thing when I ask the to explain the "Equal but Different" Garbage to me. I wouldn''t hold my breath on that returning the N.A.Z.I Party to power anytime soon, with or without, divine help. In fact the "Party" doesn''t have a member of the ENTIRE Senate from the North West... Not ONE member in the House from the entire NORTH EAST. They can hold Rallies in Phone Booths outside the Fascist South! Maybe you should think about wrapping yourself in that confederate battle flag, dawning your best PRESSED White Sheet and pray to your REAL god?? Sieg Heil Y''all.

[blancadebree]

Well, at least you can say one thing for my party: they are optimistic. Or is it delusional?

[irmcvet971]

everyone bags on Bush blames Bush but since 2006 this country has been controlled by a democratic congress & since 2006 this country has taken a turn for the worse. but blame Bush. you people have been blinded by a biased media. None of Bush''''s errors could not of happened without the help of your liberal congress. wake up people CBS ABC NBC the news media in general are misleading you.

Posted by mattcool247 at 02:09 PM : Jan 14, 2009

Well YOU help us out here Swastika Breath. You folks in the National Alliance of Zero Intelligence, you seen to think YOU have all the answers. YOU give us ONE MONTH when Trickle Down Was NOT running this nation into the RED?? Explain HOW the N.A.Z.I Party took us from a Balanced Budget and Surplus to where we are. I mean don''t go bashing the New guy when you N.A.Z.I Members have the WORST Record in US HISTORY!! ROFLMAO It''s going to be a LONG LONG time before you Blame the "Liberal''s" freaks are allowed out from under your rocks again. ROFLMAO

[irmcvet971]

Well, at least you can say one thing for my party: they are optimistic. Or is it delusional?

Posted by blancadebree at 02:12 PM : Jan 14, 2009


LOL If you live in Tex..*** you are Optimistic, anywhere else, DELUSIONAL!!

[mytoosense]

It took America 20 years before it would elect another Republican after President Hoover and the Great Depression.
I''m betting Dubya can break that record.

The Republican Congress of the first 6 years of Dubya are seen by most Americans as Dubya''s Deputies.

GOP Optimistic About 2010 Senate Chances?
Replace the word "Optimistic" with "Praying"

[irmcvet971]

The Fascist have a much larger problem and one that will most assuredly keep Sir Lies-A-Lot on people''s minds LONG after he''s gone. Someone just stepped up today and CONFIRMED that Bush LIED to us about Torture. HE said we did NOT torture and NOW we know that was a LIE and that makes both HIM and Cheney War Criminals. WE the PEOPLE, will most certainly be faced with a World who wants a Leader they truly HATE tried, YOU can bet on it and you can BET they will NOT just let it pushed aside. It''s going to be interesting getting to the bottom of ALL the trashy things that God Awful Piece of Human Trash has done.... REALLY REWARDING too!

[steeepe]

Why would they be optimistic? Their ideology is an abject failure. They want less government regulation (and we''ve seen how that turns out) and more intrusion into personal lives (Terry Schiavo, glass houses, anti-gay marriage, etc.) Unless Obama and the Congress really blow it, the GOP should be in retreat for a long time, and I think we''ll be better off for it.

[antoniof123]

It took America 20 years before it would elect another Republican after President Hoover and the Great Depression.
I''''m betting Dubya can break that record.

The Republican Congress of the first 6 years of Dubya are seen by most Americans as Dubya''''s Deputies.

GOP Optimistic About 2010 Senate Chances?
Replace the word "Optimistic" with "Praying"

Posted by mytoosense at 02:23 PM : Jan 14, 2009

I betting the Dubya will break the record for the last time the Democrats took office from the Repubicans 40 years because of a senator, I going for 60 years this time around.

[antoniof123]

everyone bags on Bush blames Bush but since 2006 this country has been controlled by a democratic congress & since 2006 this country has taken a turn for the worse. but blame Bush. you people have been blinded by a biased media. None of Bush''''''''s errors could not of happened without the help of your liberal congress. wake up people CBS ABC NBC the news media in general are misleading you.

Posted by mattcool247 at 02:09 PM : Jan 14, 2009

Do you clowns believe the nonsense you spew forth with your dribble.

Do you think we forgot that the Republicans filibustered more than any other Senators in history.

Neocons are dumber than dirt you know before the Internet you were able to lie to yourselves and believe it but now will do you get the picture.

[us_abandoned]

Looks like Rush Limbaugh has become the pill pusher to the entire Republican party. Here''s to Rush keeping them out of touch and out of mind.

[misha128-2009]

Are the 5 Republicans that have already resigned instead of seeking re-election in 2010 part of the optimistic group of Republicans or not?

[inventagod2]

It will be 40 more years before America forgets the damage done by the Republicons...

[omega40]

GOP Optimistic About 2010 Senate Chances

The GOP should be subjected to drug testing to determine what is facilitating these hallucinations.

[windmaster12]

The fiscally irresponsible GOP
Destroyed the Country in 8 years-
Tripled the size of Gov''t
And accrued more debt
Than all the other Administrations in American History
If added together

Their Convention demographic said it all
A bunch of Rich Old White Men
Devoid of any significant diversity
Aside from the Occasional Uncle Tom Token Black
And a sprinkling of Hispanics
Mixed with 1 or 2 Orientals--

It looked more like a KKK rally
With Joe the Dumber
And Sarah Paleface
What could be worse

lets hope they all die off by 2010

[wolfear1]

It really comes down to the fact that the Republican party needs to move more towards the middle and away from the right if they have any hopes of regaining any of their former glory. Until they leave the right wing Christians by the wayside and start focusing on issues that bother us all (economy, security of nation, infrastructure) and not on the issues of the Christian right (gay marriage, abortion, Stem cells) they will remain in the minority. And considering that minorities in this country will be the majority by 2025 or so, there are only a few years of opportunity left for change.

[sleepyric]

Screw the GOP. Anything for the rich, and trample the middle class and poor. Screw em. Flaunt your riches and the h-ell with everyone else. Screw em. Make them part of history like the Dodo..

[antoniof123]

It will be 40 more years before America forgets the damage done by the Republicons...
Posted by inventagod2 at 02:50 PM : Jan 14, 2009

Yes, about the time most of this generation will pass away so they can lie to the next for about 12 years then it will come crashing down again on them. That is if they are still a party.

[idnnsg]

"GOP Optimistic About 2010 Senate Chances"

The GOP is still living in the world of delusion.

No one will EVER forget how close they came to completely destroying this country!

[cozzicon]

Optimistic?

I''m not partisan at all. But the Republicans won''t be getting my vote until they leave the wedge issues alone, and deal with real problems.

I''m so tired of government being paralyzed by wedge issues.

[patocc-2009]

GOP Optimistic About 2010 Senate Chances"

The GOP is still living in the world of delusion.

No one will EVER forget how close they came to completely destroying this country!
------------------------------------

So many ignorant people out there that think its the republicans fault. Its both parties fault and the fault of the people for allowing a 2-party system that the parties only look out for themselves and not the people. Its the democratic and republican parties fault. Get over blaming 1-side when its both of them doing it to us.

[patocc-2009]

Their Convention demographic said it all
A bunch of Rich Old White Men
Posted by windmaster12 at 02:55 PM : Jan 14, 2009
----------------------------

have you look at the senate lately. You just described the democratic senate which is the oldest in history but hey when you want to make a point to attack a political party then its ok not to care about your party.

By the way both parties screwed us over the last 8 years not just one. Please take time and use your brain to check congressional records.

[specialty8]

I would say the GOP has a very good chance in 2012.With the way the dems are falling here lately,about 1 a week,with some of Obamas bad choices for his team of old Clintons.Pelosi and Reid could not possibly get reelected by anybody that is qualified to vote. Obama can not make good on all of his promises just like Carter.Just like Carter taxes will be raised for all the ones that do get shoved in.I can see why it looks good to the GOP.

[steeepe]

I would say the GOP has a very good chance in 2012.With the way the dems are falling here lately,about 1 a week,with some of Obamas bad choices for his team of old Clintons.Pelosi and Reid could not possibly get reelected by anybody that is qualified to vote. Obama can not make good on all of his promises just like Carter.Just like Carter taxes will be raised for all the ones that do get shoved in.I can see why it looks good to the GOP.

Posted by specialty8 at 03:47 PM : Jan 14, 2009

You can''t judge the Obama administration. He is not even President yet. There is an excellent chance that he will be, at the very least, much better than Bush. The GOP talks about taxes all the time, but what they mean is they want lower taxes on the rich, which means the middle class has to pay more. You want a great country, then pay for it!! Stop complaining about taxes! Did you complain about the waste of tax dollars in Iraq? Or the fact that low taxes on the rich means the deficit and its crippling interest can''t be paid down? The economy under GOP administrations is almost always worse than under Democrats.

[noloyalisti]

Keep these GOP maniac, free-market murderers, torturers and perverts the heck away from my government!

[notmudrose1]

As that great musical group, Aerosmith, once said:

Dream On! Dream On!

Hey gop, dream on! It won''t happen.

P.S. In a couple of weeks, Al Franken will be seated in the US Senate. Maybe he can sign a few autographs for the gop pigs.

[specialty8]

steeepe,
If you look at the chart on unemployment and the economy it started when Pelosi took over congress and did nothing.As far as Obama he has no record of anything.Look at the state of Illinos and Chicago.Look at the Pelosi state of California.The states these two represent are broke and on top of the crime list.Hard for me to have much confidence looking at their past record.

[antoniof123]

pS. Get off your pathetic soap box..your team won the battle, not the war. If you ever were in the military, that means more than a stupid insane defensive rant about crooked politicians coming into office. Smarten up.
Posted by peace4321 at 04:22 PM : Jan 14, 2009

This is the real problem with the GOP they created a war in the minds of their hardliners and now the swing voters change sides and the are angry.

The last 14 years of GOP controled congress was lined with war in fact Tom Delay said it like this "The only thing that is important is that the Republicans stay in power." Sad to put the party before the country. Maybe the Demcorats will learn but in my opinion it will just travel full circle but if the Demcorats do learn be prepared for a long wait if you are a Republican.

[specialty8]

Mcliar,
Better check your records again on predictions.Must say I would probley have agreed,I would not think anybody that gets a pay check would want to see more taking out.

[usclimey]

"Sen. John Cornyn Says George Bush Being Out Of Office And Barack Obama Being Off The Ballot Presents "Opportunities" For GOP"

It won''t be "Stairway to Heaven" for the GOPigs come 2010 it''ll be "Flirtin'' with Disaster" as they are reminded just how AWFUL George Bush was.