FT News Briefing Swamp Notes: Will Republicans take back the Senate?
Oct 12, 2024
James Politi, the Washington Bureau Chief for the Financial Times, and Jessica Taylor, Senate and Governors editor for the Cook Political Report, dive into the competitive landscape of the upcoming Senate elections. They discuss how Republicans are poised to reclaim the Senate with a favorable Congressional map. The duo examines challenges for Democrats, especially in battleground states like Florida and Texas. Insights on campaign strategies, the impact of Vice President Harris, and the nuances of the House's competitive nature further enrich the conversation.
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Difficult Senate Map for Democrats
- Democrats face a challenging Senate map in 2024, defending more seats than Republicans.
- They need a perfect game, including holding all incumbents and winning the presidency.
2022 Midterm Shortcomings
- Republicans had high hopes for the 2022 midterms but fell short.
- Candidate extremity and the Dobbs decision were key factors in their loss.
Improved Candidate Quality?
- Republicans made efforts to field stronger candidates in 2024, avoiding a repeat of Herschel Walker.
- Some races, like Arizona, still present candidate quality concerns.