Schumer thinks dems can get the senate in 2018

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/schumer-dems-are-done-with-trump_us_58b63a60e4b0780bac2e44f7?qlx1oq0pwkv6etgldi

Of course, it's possible, but unless Isakson or somebody randomly drops dead or something, the only path goes through a perfect storm in Utah.

[Blackacre]

Yes, Chuck, Democrats can get it. There is a small, nonzero chance of it happening. But it's pretty slim

[Hindsight was 2020]

What else is he suppose to say? Still taking back the house though is the easier an more likely result in 2018

[(Still) muted by Kalwejt until March 31]

Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuure

[Heisenberg]

Can they? Sure, miraculously defending all their seats, and getting lucky with a perfect storm (split vote, or Akin-like candidate) somewhere, or a sudden death/resignation or something.

But 95% chance Republicans keep it. Democrats have a far better shot at flipping the House.

[Xing]

He pretty much has to say something like that.

[Shadows]

Let us say miraculously they retain all seats & win NV & AZ (which is possible), what is the 51st seat? Texas, Nebraska?

It is just pure flat out impossible !

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Let us say miraculously they retain all seats & win NV & AZ (which is possible), what is the 51st seat? Texas, Nebraska?

It is just pure flat out impossible !

Utah, via a Hatch v. McMullin v. Matheson/McAdams slugfest. Texas and Nebraska would vote for a convicted criminal with an R next to their name over a Dem.

[houseonaboat]

I think Tennessee is more likely than Utah if Andy Berke gets into the race. But yeah, the path is limited.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

I think Tennessee is more likely than Utah if Andy Berke gets into the race. But yeah, the path is limited.

No one is defeating Corker. But maybe if he retires it's possible

[SWE]

Democrats would be lucky if they have enough votes to filibuster.

[Virginiá]

Utah, via a Hatch v. McMullin v. Matheson/McAdams slugfest. Texas and Nebraska would vote for a convicted criminal with an R next to their name over a Dem.

Democrats held Nebraska's CI seat for almost all of 1977 - 2013. I think it would be difficult for Democrats to get one of Nebraska's seats, and maybe it would need to follow a similar pattern as before (State Executive office -> Senate), but I don't think it is as impossible as you are implying.

At any rate, like xīngkěruì said, Schumer, as minority leader, is obligated to say things like this.

[MAINEiac4434]

What the hell's he supposed to say? "Nah dog we screwed"?

[OneJ]

It's unlikely they'll gain it. The opportunity was lost last year (though it wasn't necessarily their fault).

Nevada isn't hard to pick up. Arizona could truly be with in reach. We could only pray that Cruz loses his seat in Texas (please God let it happen).

But that's it (though it's understandable why Schumer said what he said).

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

What the hell's he supposed to say? "Nah dog we screwed"?

He should say something like: "We can hold our ground and maybe pick up a seat this year, then get a large majority in 2020."

[The Other Castro]

What the hell's he supposed to say? "Nah dog we screwed"?

He should say something like: "We can hold our ground and maybe pick up a seat this year, then get a large majority in 2020."

No, he really shouldn't. That's a bad idea. Regardless of the reality of the situation, it's not in Democrats' best interest for Schumer to be publicly realistic.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

The election is in 2018, not 2017 and Obamacare Repeal will be unpopular, because people like their insurance as is now. If there is a Democratic wave out there, it will only happen to Trump, just like it did post-2005 Hurricane Katrina Dubya Bush, who was just as unpopular.

[Figueira]

What the hell's he supposed to say? "Nah dog we screwed"?

He should say something like: "We can hold our ground and maybe pick up a seat this year, then get a large majority in 2020."

That will really turn out voters.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Maybe he'll apply this amazing winning strategy he had the Democrats use last year!

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[OSR stands with Israel]

Can they? Sure, miraculously defending all their seats, and getting lucky with a perfect storm (split vote, or Akin-like candidate) somewhere, or a sudden death/resignation or something.

But 95% 99% chance Republicans keep it. Democrats have a far better shot at flipping the House.

FTFY

[publicunofficial]

Oh wow how stupid of him. What he should have said is "We have no chance of taking the Senate. Please do not donate to our Senate campaigns, and if you're thinking of running for Senate please reconsider".

[Bacon King]

The guy's job is literally to hype up Democratic Senate candidates and promote their fundraising - what else is he supposed to say??

[MarkD]

He doesn't have to say anything about the odds of his party winning control. He could say "Sorry, but I'm not the chairman of DSCC any more; my crystal ball is on the fritz, so I can't and won't try to predict; my job now is to govern, not campaign."

[Virginiá]

He doesn't have to say anything about the odds of his party winning control. He could say "Sorry, but I'm not the chairman of DSCC any more; my crystal ball is on the fritz, so I can't and won't try to predict; my job now is to govern, not campaign."

Yes, that's true, but he's being optimistic for the team. If the fight is almost impossible, it would be best to try and motivate your party and not try to squash their hopes, even if you do ultimately see little chance in winning a majority. I mean, look at it this way, would it be preferable for a coach to tell his team, "the game is pretty much done, you can't win, but let's get out there and play, I guess?" Probably not.

[Anna Komnene]

Why wouldn't he say that?  Most Americans don't care if some elitist pundits rate their state as "Safe R" or "Safe D."  People like to think that their choice matters.  That's why undecided is higher early on.  Besides, sometimes unexpected things happen like Heidi Heitkamp winning in ND or Mark Begich winning in AK.  If party leaders admit that they're unlikely to win, it just becomes a self fulfilling prophecy and is kind of disrespectful to the voters anyway.