Senate battle goes from bad to worse for Democrats

SUMMARY

Senate Democrats are facing a challenging landscape as they strive to maintain their majority with just two weeks until Election Day. Crucial races in swing states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are tightening, with the Cook Political Report shifting both from “lean Democrat” to “toss-up.” Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) acknowledged the precarious situation, stating, “To me, it feels like it’s 50-50 all the time.” Democrats are particularly concerned about the retirement of Senator Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), which could shift West Virginia to Republican control. In Wisconsin, Senator Tammy Baldwin's lead over Republican Eric Hovde has narrowed to just 1.8 points, while in Pennsylvania, Senator Bob Casey's lead over David McCormick has dropped from 10 points to 3.3. GOP strategists note that Republicans are consolidating their base rather than courting swing voters, which has helped them gain momentum.