Senate Dems grow optimistic about Obama chances in 2012

From The Hill:

Senate Democrats are optimistic about President Obama’s chances of re-election and think he may have coattails this November.

Democratic lawmakers described the president as being “really upbeat” and in a “good mood” on Wednesday when he addressed the Senate Democratic caucus during a one-day retreat at Nationals Park in Southeast D.C.

They said Obama’s campaign manager Jim Messina gave an encouraging presentation on the president’s strategy for winning re-election, a plan that relied heavily on using social media to mobilize voters.

Just six months ago Democrats were worried Obama was on his way to a defeat that might also cost Democrats their majority in the Senate.

Senate Democrats have to defend 23 seats while Republicans have to preserve only 10 this election cycle, giving Democrats an uphill climb to preserve their majority.

But the strengthening economy and Obama’s rising poll numbers give them new hope.

“Just repeat to yourself eight times a day: ‘Twenty-three consecutive months of jobs created in the private sector,’” said Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.).

“Plus I think the Republicans are helping,” he said in reference to the contentious GOP presidential primary and the declining approval rating of congressional Republicans.