
<p>It was very possible that the Senate race between NFL star Herschel Walker and incumbent Senator Raphael Warnock would have control of the Senate in the balance. ; But the Republican belated losses in Arizona and Nevada ended that possibility. ; Democrats would control the Senate.</p>



<p>The only issue to be resolved is whether Democrats would have a clear one-seat advantage &#8212; or it would be another two years of an evenly divided Senate – with Vice President Harris breaking any tie votes.</p>



<p>While Democrats would technically have control, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer would still have problems getting all 50 of his senators to vote on important legislation. ; Moderate – and more independent – senators such as West Virginia’s Joe Manchin and Arizona’s Kyrsten Sinema– could side with Republicans in defeating the more radical left-wing measures – as they did in the past.</p>



<p>(As an aside, I find it interesting that the two so-called “independent senators” – Angus King from Maine and self-proclaimed socialist Bernie Sanders from Vermont – vote lockstep with the Democrats, exhibiting no independence at all.)</p>



<p>There could still be Democrat senators who break ranks with their leadership, but it would take more than one senator to block the Biden spending agenda. That is a significant difference. ; That means a win by Walker is still an incredibly significant outcome for Republican efforts to block the more egregious legislation. ; ;</p>



<p>There is another important benefit for Republicans in an evenly divided Senate. ; With a clear majority, Schumer can appoint a majority on all the Senate committees and subcommittees. ; In an evenly divided Senate, those committees must have equal representation.</p>



<p>Unfortunately, without a full appreciation of the difference between an evenly split Senate and a one seat majority, it is likely that Republican enthusiasm in the upcoming December run-off election will decline.  ; Polls seem to suggest that is the case.</p>



<p>The failure of the GOP to gain control of the Senate likely improved Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s chances of retaining his leadership role – which he was likely to retain under any circumstances. ; But without the possibility of being the Majority Leader, a challenge to McConnell makes no sense at all.</p>



<p>It is possible that the GOP will do better in 2024, when the numbers are much more favorable. ; There will be 33 seats up for election, with 23 being held by Democrats, including those two independent guys.</p>



<p>The Georgia seat would be an important win for the GOP, but the odds are trending against them.</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>

Georgia race more important than you may think
In this photo from Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., left, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., sit together to honor former Sen. Bob Dole, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)