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"The wind is at our back" said Senator Charles Schumer concerning the 2008 senatorial races, but cautioned that it would be "hard" for the Democrats to win enough to get to 60 in the Senate. In a briefing today, Schumer claimed that he would still be excited if the Democrats reached 57 seats, saying, "We haven't had 57 seats since 1979."

He reacted to the McCain campaign's recent claim that a Democrat president combined with a Democrat majority in both houses of Congress would be dangerous, by stating that the Republicans are using this argument because their foreign and domestic policies are not working. He further stated that if too many Republicans win their senatorial races, they will "block change" and "more gridlock" will ensue. Referring to the Democrats, Schumer added that "Nothing would make us happier than reducing the partisanship."

Schumer attributed much of the success in both the Democratic presidential and senatorial campaigns to their "ground game." He said that the Democrats have poured "significant resources" into their ground game, and that "We do not see evidence of a strong ground game" from the Republicans.

Referring to specific senatorial races, Schumer said the race in Kentucky between incumbent Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and challenger Bruce Lunsford (D) is tight as they expected "from the get-go." In Georgia, the election between Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) and Jim Martin (D) is "razor tight" and in Minnesota, Sen. Norm Coleman's (R-Minn.) decision to support President Bush's economic policies is "hurting him" in his reelection campaign against Al Franken (D). Schumer also felt the battle in North Carolina between Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.) and Kay Hagan (D) was close, but Hagan was ahead by more than the polls have shown. He also thought that the the calls for resignation of Ted Stevens by Republicans such as Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and McConnell will allow Mark Begich (D) to win the senatorial seat in Alaska.

If the Democrats reach 60 seats, Senator Schumer felt Congress would be better on "issue after issue." He mentioned specific issues including the war in Iraq, energy, education, and health care that would be improved in that event. Although, he felt that even if they don't reach 60, some "mainstream conservative" Republicans might "smell the coffee."

Schumer said that, while he supports Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), a Democratic Senate will not "rubber stamp" his policies if he is elected president. He concluded that the difference between Obama and other democrats is "not that great," Obama "consults a lot."