Polls: 60-seat Senate majority possible

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Democrats could win a filibuster-proof 60-seat majority in the U.S. Senate in November, polls indicate.

The possibility of Democrats picking up the nine seats they need for such a majority seems increasingly plausible, Politico reported Saturday, citing polls indicating Democratic gains in Senate races in several states, including Minnesota and Kentucky.

A Minneapolis Star Tribune poll released Friday indicated comedian and best-selling author Al Franken leads Republican Sen. Norm Coleman by 9 percent. Politico said Democratic campaign officials are considering deploying more resources in Kentucky, where Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is being challenged by Democrat William Lunsford.

In Colorado, Democratic Rep. Mark Udall has opened a substantial lead over Republican nominee Bob Schaffer for an open Senate seat, and Politico said a top official in the presidential campaign of GOP nominee John McCain has said incumbent Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole is almost sure to lose to Democratic state Sen. Kay Hagan.

There is speculation Georgia Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss could face defeat in his campaign for re-election, the report said.

Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesman Matthew Miller told Politico a number of races were breaking toward Democrats before the recent economic turmoil but "now we're seeing Republican numbers plummet."

Republican officials largely concurred, Politico said.