We Still Believe In A Place Called Hope

By Sniffles

Okay, let's talk about the US Senate.

Recent events have made the situation more dire for Democrats (although the latest prognostication comes from the Post's young Cillizza lad, who as we know, dutifully scribbles the talking points that his Beltway Republican sources give him). Still, we cats may be in the process of re-evaluating our tried-and-true measuring stick: Would We Rather Be Us Than Them?

We're about 50-50 on that right now. Not ready to give up yet, but recognizing the increasing dangers. And yes, it's shocking to think who would be in charge of what Senate committee should the GOP take control.

Also, Team Obama might also want to brace themselves for a certain impeachment, over whatever. This would be orgasmic for the Republican Party's nutcase base, but would be terrible for the country (but of course that's never stopped the GOP before). And you heard it here first: It would destroy the GOP forever.

But never fear: 2016 is right around the corner, which means that any Republican-controlled Senate elected in 2014 would flip right back again. That's because next cycle will be more of a disaster for the GOP than this year is for us. Check out some of the 23 Republican seats they'll have to defend next time around:

• Pat Toomey's in Pennsylvania
• Rob Portman's in Ohio
• Ron Johnson's in Wisconsin
• Richard Burr's in North Carolina
• Mark Kirk's in Illinois
• Possible open seat in Arizona (since McCain will be 100 by then)
• Possible open seat in Iowa (Charles Grassley, ditto)
• Possible open seat in Florida (as Baby Marco runs for President)

Tempted to say, "So what?" Consider this: How will the Republican Party fare nationally less than two years after they impeach America's first black President? And how will the name "Hillary Rodham Clinton" at the top of the Democratic ticket affect races down the ballot?

Will Democrats be able to take back Blanche Lincoln's seat in Arkansas? Will Kelly Ayotte get swamped in New Hampshire? Will the Democratic candidate get a leg up in the race for David Vitter's seat in Louisiana? And overall, where will the GOP play offense in a clock-cleaning Presidential year? Nevada? California? Washington? Illinois? Our answers are no, no, no and no.

So hang on, everybody. The next two years are not going to be pretty either way. But we agree with a guy named Barack Hussein Obama: Don't rely on history that's written in 10-minute intervals. Go the distance. Take the long view. We cats PURR.