Dems Worry New FBI Probe Might Harm Chances of Retaking Senate

The FBI's bombshell announcement that it has reopened the investigation into Hillary Clinton's private emails server has not only thrown the presidential election into disarray but also has Democrats fearful that it might harm the party's chances to gain control of the Senate, NBC News reports.

"It's certainly not helpful," Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Roy Temple told NBC. "It kind of pollutes the Democratic brand in a way that's unnecessary, simply because it doesn't actually involve any new information."

Missouri is one of at least six states with tight Senate races, each of which could tip the balance in the upper chamber. In order to retake the Senate, Democrats need to pick up four seats, assuming that Clinton captures the White House.

And as The Huffington Post points out, the Senate will be key, if Clinton wins the presidency, as to whether she will be able to push her agenda efficiently with a Democratic majority or become bogged down in likely stalemate if Republicans maintain control.

Democrats worry that the GOP will take advantage of the FBI statement, borne out by Republican strategist Brian Walsh's comments that "There's no question that Clinton has a better ground operation, but there are few things that energize Republicans more than a Clinton scandal."

Democrats are particularly looking for any sign of a drop-off in early ballot voting from their supporters or an upswing in enthusiasm from GOP backers, and are relieved that so far there is no significant sign of either, NBC reports.

But Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth poll, told NBC that "While the email news does not play a decisive role in the presidential contest, a couple of points on the margins could be having a critical impact on tight down-ballot races."

Some Democrats see a silver lining in the whole affair in that it has erased fears of complacency when polls last week showed a wide lead for Clinton and has energized the base due to anger at the perceived unfairness of the timing of the FBI announcement.

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