Tom Udall

DSCC Press Conference: Democratic challengers hold a press conferences with DSCC chairman Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)

DENVER -- U.S. Sen. Susan Collins’ (R-Bangor) seat is just one of a handful of seats that Democrats hope to take from Republicans this year, in order to gain a filibuster-proof majority.

The Democratic challengers, including U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland) are linking their opponents to President Bush, playing off the current administration’s low approval ratings.

Tom Allen appeared with five other Democratic challengers Wednesday afternoon in Denver to discuss the importance of taking back a working majority with U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), chairman of the Democratic National Senatorial Campaign Committee.

U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Merkley (D-Portland) was enthusiastic about Saturday's announcement that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama chose U.S. Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) as his vice presidential running mate.

Oregon House Speaker and U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Merkley (D-Portland) will be addressing the Democratic National Convention, according to the convention’s organizers.

In spite of giving large sums of money to other campaigns U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Worcester) reported $303,872.98 cash on hand for the second quarter, according to the Federal Election Commission.Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Worcester)

McGovern, who represents the Bay State's 3rd Congressional District, raked in $139,203.28 in total contributions for the quarter and has collected $863,391.82 in total contributions for this election cycle.

Midway through 2006, McGovern had just $100,438.58 cash on hand.

For someone who loves the intricacies of Senate races that cut very differently in neighboring states, who finds joy in discussing the survival skills of New England Republicans and Southern Democrats and their gerrymandered House districts, it is hard to imagine a better year than 2006 was. With 50 seats realistically in play in states as blue as Connecticut and as red as Wyoming, two years ago was a political junkie's heaven.

That is, until 2008 rolled along. This year, instead of just Democrats having a shot at picking up seats, Republicans are in on the act, and both parties' wins and losses will give us clues about the future and direction of each. Can Southern Democrats make a comeback? Will suburban voters still, or once again, vote their security over their wallets? And is the emerging House battleground in the Mountain West, the Upper Midwest or the Plains states?

A New York Times article published Monday outlines how Republicans are trying to turn the Udall family's tradition of environmentalism "into a black mark."

With energy now a top political issue, the Udalls' political fate this year "could also show whether voters respond to the Udall call for a more varied and comprehensive approach to energy production or to a concerted Republican push for the aggressive production of fossil fuels."

In today's Inside Edge, Wally takes a look at some hypotheical political match-ups. Warning: we won't responsible for the nightmares you have after reading this column.