, Columnist
For Democrats, Winning a Senate Majority Also Is Crucial
Continued Republican control could block her nominations and agenda.
The other power center.
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If, as polls are indicating, Hillary Clinton will be the next U.S. president -- the election forecaster Nate Silver says there’s an 86 percent chance -- her initial years in office will depend less on the size and shape of her victory than on which party controls the Senate.
Although the battle for control of the chamber, where Republicans currently have an advantage of 54 seats to 46, is pitched and close, some skeptics play down its significance: It takes 60 votes to pass substantive stuff in the Senate and neither party will be near that level. Moreover, Republicans likely will still control the House.