GOP Positioning Itself to Take Control of US Senate

Senate races across the country finally are taking shape, with Republicans well positioned to take control of the upper chamber. The GOP needs to take four seats to gain control, and its candidates are favored in North Dakota and Nebraska, The Washington Post reported.

Democrats are defending 23 of the 33 seats up in 2012, and at least 10 of the seats are in play. Developments in Connecticut and Massachusetts are of note, the Post reported.

Former Rep. Chris Shays, R-Conn., who was defeated in 2008 after two decades in the House, is hoping for a comeback in his run for independent Sen. Joe Lieberman’s seat. Lieberman is retiring, and a moderate like Shays may be a better fit in the state than World Wrestling Entertainment executive Linda McMahon, who lost in 2010 but may make another run, the Post reported.

Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., is an example of a moderate winning in the Northeast. He shocked the political establishment when he won the election to serve out the remaining term of Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass. However, he may face a formidable challenge in 2012 when he tries to win a full term. Former Obama adviser Elizabeth Warren has formed an exploratory committee.