As Democratic voter registration numbers skyrocket -- with particularly significant boosts in African-American numbers in southern states -- it is not just the presidential competition that is shifting.

Democratic nominee Barack Obama's rapidly widening poll lead in his race with Republican John McCain, both at the national level and in battleground states nationwide, is being paralleled in Senate races across the country.

Consider the contest in Georgia, which had been seen as an easy one for Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss. A new poll, released today, had Chambliss tied with Democrat Jim Martin at 45-45.

That's the first time this pair has been even, and Martin's trajectory is rising. The same goes for Democratic Senate candidates challenging Republican incumbents in the southern states of North Carolina and Mississippi. And, in Virginia, Democrat Mark Warner leads by a wide margin in the race to fill the seat being vacated by Republican John Warner.

Democratic candidates are now either ahead or roughly tied in races for Republican-held seats Alaska, Colorado, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia and, now, Georgia.

If Democrats picked up all those seats, the party would have a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate -- no matter what independent Democrat/McCain backer Joe Lieberman does.

That's a high mark to shoot for. But it is no longer unimaginable.

For more on the Senate races, read this week's Nation cover story.

Comments (11)

1. Take an Obama win, and a Dem filibuster-proof majority or even close to it or even just picking up 4 more seats (the minimum most say) will be....

   HI-larious to watch old Joe the Schmoe!

   As he comes crawling back to the Dems and says "Heh-heh...just kiddin'...I was with you the whole time, trying to sabotage McCain...really!...now, how about those Committee seats, hmmm???"

   BTW....new footage of the latest McCain rally. Christopher Walken apparently attended-

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkSaMJJxcQM&feature=related

   Posted by Maskdelta at 10/10/2008 @ 4:21pm

2. HI-larious to watch old Joe the Schmoe!

   As he comes crawling back to the Dems and says "Heh-heh...just kiddin'...I was with you the whole time, trying to sabotage McCain...really!...now, how about those Committee seats, hmmm???"

   Posted by Maskdelta at 10/10/2008 @ 4:21pm

   Absolutely correct. I'll bet that the Dem leadership will have to hold a lottery to see who gets to pummel (figuratively speaking) this POS first.

   Posted by skeletonman at 10/10/2008 @ 4:51pm

3. lieberman - party of one...

   Posted by dexter666 at 10/10/2008 @ 4:53pm

4. your table is ready in the shithole of history, sir...

   Posted by dexter666 at 10/10/2008 @ 4:54pm

5. If this current trajectory of a Filibuster proof Senate along with the tax crazy House, and an Obama presidency comes to pass, the American people may finally get to experience what a totalitarian govt feels like.

   This scenario may be necessary to let Americans finally see for themselves what kind of socialist country the Democrats have in their plans.

   I certainly am glad that I have prepared to maintain a very small financial footprint so that they cannot steal from me. I am ready to be pretty much self-sustaining although knowing the Dems, they would probably even try and tax the food I grow for myself.

   Posted by lvliberty1 at 10/10/2008 @ 5:28pm

6. Posted by lvliberty1 at 10/10/2008 @ 5:28pm

   Sorry, LIBERTY, but who was it that just yesterday stated that the federal government may nationalize a few troubled banks?????

   Posted by Hman23 at 10/10/2008 @ 5:36pm

7. lvliberty-Most democrats are not socialists,totalitarian,but you already knew that and are doing dishonest fear based propaganda.It is the nazi like Palin rallies that can lead to totalitarianism.We've had the democrats in charge and did not become socialist or totalitarian,but you knew that,too.Your post was filled with paranoia which is what totalitarian types play on which is why your side is the danger.

   Posted by i'm nobody at 10/10/2008 @ 5:49pm

8. Posted by lvliberty1 at 10/10/2008 @ 5:28pm

   Maybe you'll get a chance to use your old survivalist stocks. You must have plenty of old 70's vintage freeze dried food, rusty five gallon cans of water & Phyllis Schlaffly reading material. Some good has to come from the absence of nuclear war darn it! A chance to retrench & set up a new world order, fledgling though it may be. Hope your old CB radio is still linked up with the fellas. Remember when computers were the work of the devil?

   Posted by Sorelish at 10/10/2008 @ 5:52pm

9. lvliberty-If your side had not been bigots then Romney would the nominee and,probably,the next POTUS.Your bigotry is to blame.

   Posted by i'm nobody at 10/10/2008 @ 5:57pm

10. Hey liberty, by "small financial footprint" I guess you mean you're poor. Too bad, with your penchant for spouting right-wing hate speech, you missed your chance to make a killing as a Bush operative these past 8years. Well, enjoy digging in the dirt -- the Republican dead enders have reached their end

    Posted by RocketJ at 10/10/2008 @ 5:59pm

11. Posted by lvliberty1 at 10/10/2008 @ 5:28pm

    See: "sour grapes"

    LOL

    Posted by Maskdelta at 10/10/2008 @ 8:04pm