On to 2012: Can You Believe It?

By Martha Zoller

I spent a beautiful day at the Right Wing Tavern in Woodstock last Tuesday.  I was broadcasting live and Senator Johnny Isakson called in from "The Bus Tour."  To be honest, I hated that tour.  Lori Pesta of the Cherokee County Republican Women had planned for months for a big in person event with all the candidates at the Tavern with a live audience.  With the announcement of this tour, I had to do what live radio hosts do. I had to scramble and make a great show with a combination of live guests like Sen. Chip Rogers, Cong. Tom Price and pollster Mark Rountree and mix in call-in interviews with Sen. Isakson, Tim Echols and RNC Chairman Michael Steele.  All in all, it was a great day.

Sen. Isakson got the wheels in my head spinning towards 2012.  I didn't want to go there, but I had to.  The Lame Duck session, Senator Isakson pointed out, is the beginning of the 2012 election.  In the U. S. Senate, one third of the Senators are up every two years.  This year was unusual.  There would normally have been 33 seats up for grabs in the Senate.  Due to death, retirement and other circumstances, there were 37 up for grabs this year.  In 2012, there will be 34 Senate seats up for grabs and 22 of them will be held by Democrats and if the Republican loses in West Virginia to fill the unexpired term of Robert Byrd, then there will be 23.  That is a lot of Democrats who will have to defend themselves in 2012 and the voted they use for that defense will start this November.

Their plight depends on three things.  First, how President Obama reacts to tomorrow's elections and whether he draws a primary opponent. I have maintained for at least a year that Mrs. Clinton will find a reason to resign after the election and will run against President Obama in 2012.  Lanny Davis, former Clinton staffer and friend, says absolutely not, but I'm holding firm. Second, will Congressional and Senate Republicans do what they promised to do.  If they don't, every seat will be up for grabs and Republicans might lose what they will gain tomorrow and then some. Finally, the economy will be the deciding factor.  If we are back to work and the economy is expanding, then Senators can run on their record.

There is still a great deal up for grabs. This is a 6 year cycle and the final outcome will depend on if we the voters hold our elected officials feet to the fire.  It starts with your vote and then the real work begins.