Changes

'''2012 United States Senate elections''' to be held November 6, 2012 includes [[Republican]], Democrat and Independent candidates vying for six-year terms and a seat in the 113th Congress. [[Democrat]]s need to defend 21 seats and Republicans need only to defend 10 seats. Two seats held by Independents are up for election and lean Democrat: Bernie Sanders seeks re-election and Joe Lieberman is retiring.  

'''2012 United States Senate elections''' to be held November 6, 2012 includes [[Republican]], Democrat and Independent candidates vying for six-year terms and a seat in the 113th Congress. [[Democrat]]s need to defend 21 seats and Republicans need only to defend 10 seats. Two seats held by Independents are up for election and lean Democrat: Bernie Sanders seeks re-election and Joe Lieberman is retiring.  

Democrats' majority status and [[Harry Reid]]'s Senate leadership are at stake.  Democrats are growing uncomfortable as they decline to endorse [[Obama]]'s shift on [[gay marriage]]. "Senate Majority Leader [[Harry Reid]] predicted Thursday the Democratic Party would adopt a pro-gay marriage plank in its platform." [http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/227007-vulnerable-democratic-senators-balk-at-obamas-endorsement-of-gay-marriage]  

Democrats' majority status and [[Harry Reid]]'s Senate leadership are at stake.  Some Democrats are growing uncomfortable as they decline to endorse [[Obama]]'s shift on [[gay marriage]]. Of the 33 Democrats who have won their primaries, only 20 have clearly stated their support for gay marriage while 8 have stated their opposition. "Senate Majority Leader [[Harry Reid]] predicted Thursday the Democratic Party would adopt a pro-gay marriage plank in its platform." [http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/227007-vulnerable-democratic-senators-balk-at-obamas-endorsement-of-gay-marriage]  

As of September 20, the [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/senate/2012_elections_senate_map.html RealClearPolitics website] forecasts a 48-44 split favoring democrats with 8 toss-up seats, but that includes a questionable claim that Democrats will likely hold on to the [[New Mexico]] seat.  In these key states, most of which are listed as "toss-up" or even leaning Democrat, the Democrat candidate will probably not win unless he garners more votes than [[Obama]] in the state:

As of September 20, the [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/senate/2012_elections_senate_map.html RealClearPolitics website] forecasts a 48-44 split favoring democrats with 8 toss-up seats, but that includes a questionable claim that Democrats will likely hold on to the [[New Mexico]] seat.  In these key states, most of which are listed as "toss-up" or even leaning Democrat, the Democrat candidate will probably not win unless he garners more votes than [[Obama]] in the state: