Schumer: 60 Senate seats possible but unlikely

By Thomas Ferraro

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. presidential nominee Barack Obama's fellow Democrats will likely fall a bit short of winning a Senate majority large enough to hold off procedural challenges, a chief party strategist said on Sunday.

But Democrats seem certain to pickup enough Senate seats to get "a lot done" and "help change the country" when the new Congress convenes in January, said Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, chairman of the Senate Democratic campaign committee.

Democrats control the Senate 51-49. They would have to gain nine seats to hit 60, the number needed to end Republican procedural hurdles known as filibusters that can kill or at least slow legislation.

"As for 60, that's very, very difficult," Schumer told CBS's "Face the Nation." "It's possible, but unlikely. And the reason is because the terrain is so tough."

Schumer noted that many of the 11 contested Senate races where Republicans are vulnerable are traditionally Republican. None are traditionally Democratic.

Still, as Schumer put it: "The bottom line is: I think Wednesday morning Democrats are going to be very happy, because we're going to pick up a whole lot of seats."

"With 56, 57, 58 (Senate seats), we'll be able to get a lot done in the Senate and help change the country," Schumer said.

Republicans blocked much of the Democrats' agenda the past two years -- on matters from expanding health care to withdrawing troops from Iraq -- with filibusters.

Democrats figure that if they can get close to 60 Senate seats, they will be able to pickup a couple of moderate Republicans to end many filibusters.

Congressional Republicans have been hurt by the ailing economy, the long-running Iraq war and the unpopularity of their party's leader, President George W. Bush.

Democrats are expected to expand their majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives to perhaps their highest levels in decades. Democrats hold the House, 235-199.

Analysts have said House Democrats may pickup upward of 30 seats. The last time Democrats had a filibuster-proof Senate majority was three decades ago.

Thirty-five of the 100 Senate seats are up for election on Tuesday. Twenty-three are held by Republicans, a dozen by Democrats.

According to polls, just one Democratic senator, Louisiana's Mary Landrieu, appears to be in any jeopardy of losing.

Among Republicans who seem to be in trouble is Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. He was hurt by the $700 billion federal bailout of private investors.