Democrats hope to boost their fortunes in Congress
ELECTION 2008
Democrats are shooting for 60 seats in the Senate in order to overcome Republican-led filibusters. In the House, they hope to expand their majority by 20 to 30 seats.
Reporting from Washington — Two years ago, Democrats wrested control of Congress from Republicans. Today, they are expected to expand their House and Senate majorities.
Senate Democrats, who hold a 51-49 majority with the help of two independents, hope to wind up with the 60 seats needed to overcome Republican-led filibusters, a threshold they have not reached since Jimmy Carter was president.
One complication is the party's tension with Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, one of the independents. Though he caucuses with the Democrats, Lieberman supported Republican John McCain for president and spoke at the GOP convention.
Still, Lieberman's generally Democratic leanings on domestic issues suggest he would help the party reach 60 votes to overcome many filibusters. Even if they fall short of 60 seats, Democrats might be able to win support from some moderate Republicans.
In the Senate, 35 seats are up for election; Republicans are defending 23, compared with 12 for Democrats.
In the House, Democrats outnumber Republicans 235 to 199, with one vacancy, and are projected to add 20 to 30 seats -- maybe more. All 435 House seats are up for grabs.
Here are some key races to watch:
Alabama: In this red state, Jay Love, the Republican candidate for the 2nd District House seat, is portraying opponent Bobby Bright as too liberal. Bright, the mayor of Montgomery, has been touting his conservative credentials and stands a good chance of becoming the first Democrat in decades to win this seat.
Alaska: Can Ted Stevens pull it off? The longest-serving Republican senator is trying to win reelection after his conviction on corruption charges. Stevens, who plans to appeal the jury's decision, faces Democrat Mark Begich, the mayor of Anchorage. If the 84-year-old Stevens is reelected, he probably will face an expulsion vote by his Senate colleagues.
Connecticut: Rep. Christopher Shays is trying to hang on as the last Republican House member from New England. He faces Democrat Jim Himes, a former Goldman Sachs investment banker. Shays, a 21-year House veteran who has campaigned as an independent-minded lawmaker, has dodged tough Democratic assaults before. But a large turnout of Democrats energized by Barack Obama's candidacy could cost Shays his seat this time.
