Democratic Controlled Senate Through 2012?

I like this: a Democratic held Senate through 2012…

A Long-Term Senate Democratic Majority?

By Chuck Todd, NationalJournal.com
© National Journal Group Inc.
Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006

One reason why Republicans were particularly depressed about losing the Senate this cycle was the demoralizing realization that the party may not have another realistic shot at getting the majority back until 2012.

In fact, Democrats weren’t supposed to pick up any seats in 2006, because the GOP appeared to have the better opportunities. After all, despite holding just 45 seats (counting Vermont independent Jim Jeffords’), Democrats had to defend 18. Furthermore, four of the five Democrats who knocked off GOP incumbents in 2000 were facing their first re-election contests this year.