Though unlikely, Democrats could still get filibuster-proof majority John Byrne

Published: Friday November 14, 2008





Print This Email This Though top Democrats say it remains unlikely, the party of Barack Obama could still achieve a filibuster-proof majority of 60 seats if all the chips fall their way -- and Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) remains in the Democratic caucus.



To reach a 60-vote majority, Democrats would have to pick up Alaska, win a Georgia runoff and a Minnesota recount, and hold onto feisty independent Sen. Lieberman.



"Let me beat you to the punch: Will we get 60 seats?" said Sen. Charles E. Schumer (N.Y.), chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, cutting off reporters yesterday as reported by the Washington Post. "It's possible, but unlikely."



Democrats currently hold 55 seats, plus the support of two independents. Should they gain a 60-member caucus (which would include the backing of Lieberman and liberal independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders), they would have a filibuster-proof majority that would allow them to pass any bill in the Senate without the support of a single Republican.



"In Alaska, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich pulled 814 votes ahead of Sen. Ted Stevens (R) late Wednesday night after officials tallied 59,000 votes that included absentee, early and questionable ballots whose validity was verified," the Post noted Friday. "An additional 40,000 votes are set to be counted in the days ahead."



"Final results are expected Wednesday, with a certified winner on Dec. 1. That is one day before the runoff election in Georgia, where Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R) led initial voting but did not clear the required 50 percent mark. As a result, he must once again face former state representative Jim Martin (D)," the paper added. "Both the DSCC and the National Republican Senatorial Committee have aired TV ads attacking the opposing candidate."



And in Minnesota, Republican Sen. Norm Coleman is facing off against comic and former Air America host Al Franken.



"Franken remains 206 votes behind Sen. Norm Coleman (R). More than 24,000 ballots that electronically recorded votes in the presidential race but did not record any vote in the Coleman-Franken contest will now be examined, and legal challenges have been lodged," the paper continues. "Hundreds of lawyers on both sides are volunteering to help resolve the dispute."



