As the political ball bounces relentlessly toward the finals in the November midterms, Fox News analyst Dick Morris has some quick hits about the players in key U.S. Senate races in process around the nation. Morris, a Newsmax contributor, evaluates the polls and the pols to handicap the November contests, in which he remains confident that Republicans will regain control of the Senate.
GOP candidates need to pick up 10 seats to do wrest control from the Democrats. Morris notes that they already lead for seats in eight states: North Dakota, Indiana, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Colorado, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Illinois.
The GOP probably will win in Nevada for the ninth. And possibilities for the 10th include New York, California, Washington, Delaware, and Connecticut, Morris says.
“Those are five legitimate shots, and I think we’ll win three or four.”
Following are his observations on some of the races:
Story continues below video.
Delaware
Although Republican Christine O’Donnell trails opponent Chris Coons by about 15 points in the polls, she can still pull it out in the Senate race, Morris says. She’s been unfairly vilified, just as Sarah Palin was when she first went national, Morris says. Most of the shots are trivial.
“Who cares what her view about personal sexual morality is and whether in high school she had friends who dabbled in witchcraft?” says Morris, a Newsmax contributor. “We have a president who admits to cocaine use in high school. We had a first lady who had séances in the White House” (Nancy Reagan).
On the core issues, Delaware voters side with O’Donnell. “Chris Coons was a self-described Marxist as a kid. I’d rather be a witch than a Marxist,” Morris says.
West Virginia
Morris believes Republican John Raese will defeat Democrat Joe Manchin. “Manchin is a well-liked governor.” But with Raese ahead by 3 points in the polls, it’s clear voters “don’t want Manchin to go Washington,” Morris says.
New York
Republican Joe DioGuardi has a good shot against incumbent Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand. “As voters learn who DioGuardi is, they’re really getting interested in supporting him,” Morris says. “This could be a bolt from the blue.”
With Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo also vulnerable, “New York state could be the epicenter of the 2010 revolution,” Morris says.
Washington
Republican Dino Rossi, now behind in the polls, has been inept at responding to Democrat Patty Murray’s attacks, Morris says. “Rossi needs to step it up a notch.”
California
Republican Carly Fiorina trails Democratic incumbent Barbara Boxer by 2 to 3 percentage points in recent polls. “Fiorina still has a chance, but I wouldn’t definitely count on that race,” Morris says.
Nevada
Republican Sharron Angle is in a good position to defeat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, with polls showing a virtual tie. Given that Reid is “probably the most miserable member of the Senate,” he’s unlikely to pick up many undecided votes, Morris says. The efforts of Americans for New Leadership have played a big role in boosting Angle, he says.
For the full interview and story — Go Here Now.
© 2013 Newsmax. All rights reserved.