Democrats Better Gain Seats in 2008

The Democratic margin of control in the US Senate is one seat, and Harry Reid has apparently decided to flip one seat to the GOP in 2010.

Reid has told [his circle of advisers] that he will definitely seek a fifth term, according to McCue and others who have attended the sessions, and he is bringing back McCue, a top political adviser, to fortify his standing here and at home. “He’s committed to running again,” said McCue, who announced on Wednesday that she is leaving her post as president and CEO of the anti-poverty ONE Campaign to return as a senior adviser to Reid. McCue also said that Reid “intends to retain his position as Democratic leader as long as his colleagues will have him.”

The Politico points out that while Harry Reid may have a high profile right now, that he would manage to avoid the limelight if Democrats win the White House. While true, that would put him in the position of defending the president’s liberal agenda in a midterm election in a red state. It won’t exactly help his re-election chances. And given his collapsing poll numbers and the chance to be seen as a giant-killer, there’s not likely to be any shortage of strong GOP challengers. Democrats ought to wonder how Reid’s re-election campaign will affect his management of the Senate. He can’t simultaneously pursue both the liberal agenda and a fifth term.

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