Bad News For Obama

Democrats are likely to loose their majority in the Senate at the end of this year due to retirees and the fact that the president's party often looses seats in the House and Senate at the mid-term elections. Chris Dodd and Byron Dorgan have both announced that they will be stepping down at the end of this year. This makes it nearly impossible for Democrats to maintain the majority they need to pass Obama's legislation. Currently, the Democrats have 60 seats which is the minimum amount for passing legislation. If the number drops below 60, Obama's plans are unlikely to pass without major support from minority parties.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/01/06/senate.power.balance/index.html
http://www.zimbio.com/v05gEZAbmuF/Reid+Pelosi+Senate+Democratic+Leaders+Mark/eOuyHqIWaUZ/James+Clyburn