November '08 nirvana would be a Democrat in the White House, and strong Democratic majorities in both houses of the 111th Congress. For the Senate, the ideal would be a filibuster-proof 60 seats held by Democrats, as versus the current 49 Democratic seats plus two Independents (one, Joe Lieberman, an unreliable vote) of the 110th Congress.

Democrats will accomplish a clear Senate majority by winning seats now held by Republicans, a highly possible scenario since 22 of the 34 Senate seats in the November '08 election cycle are now held by Republicans.

One Democratic hopeful for the Senate is Rep. Tom Udall of New Mexico, a well-regarded five-term Congressman who ran at the urging of DNC leaders and of longtime friend, Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico.

Per a Rasmussen Report poll released this week, Udall already leads both of his potential Republican opponents by solid, double-digit margins. Republican Pete Domenici is retiring after 36 years in the U.S. Senate.

Udall, a passionate environmentalist with a 100% rating from the League of Conservation Voters, is the son of Stewart Udall, famed Secretary of the Interior under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson who authored many of the America's most important environmental legislation. But Rep. Udall, who wisely voted against the Iraq War in 2002, is not a one-issue legislator.

Interestingly, Tom Udall has two cousins who are also members of Congress, Rep. Mark Udall, Democrat from Colorado, and Sen. Gordon Smith, a moderate Republican from Oregon. And all three are running for the Senate in 2008.

Take a few minutes to learn more at Profile of Rep. Tom Udall, 2008 Senate Candidate from New Mexico.

And also come up-to-speed on two other Senate Democratic hopefuls running in November to fill Republican seats:

• Profile of Al Franken, Comedian and 2008 Senate Candidate from Minnesota

• Profile of Mark Warner, 2008 Senate Candidate & Former Virginia Governor

Over the next months, check back here for more profiles of Democrats running for the Senate this fall, and for handicapping of all the key '08 races.

Related Reading
Report Card on Senate Frosh of 2006: Bold, Energetic, Principled
Iraq War Vote in 2002: 156 Congress Members Who Voted NO