The Democrats are in a good position to increase their Senate majority in the upcoming elections, giving them more influence regardless of who becomes the next President. Due to Republican retirements, scandals, and the Iraq war, Democrats have a chance to gain up to nine seats in the 100-member Senate in the November 2008 elections. This would give them the crucial 60 seats needed to overcome Republican procedural obstacles and make changes to President Bush's Iraq war policies, including troop withdrawal plans. The last time Democrats had a significant majority in the Senate was during the 1977-1979 congressional session when they held 61 seats. Jennifer Duffy, who monitors Senate races for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, believes that reaching 60 seats is a possibility. She stated that for things to go in their favor, everything would need to go perfectly. It is currently too soon to make any definite predictions. The upcoming elections are causing many Republicans to distance themselves from Bush, who has a low approval rating. Despite this, they are still associated with his unpopular decisions regarding the Iraq war. There is worry about what lies ahead, especially since Senate Democrats have raised more funds for their campaigns than Republicans. A senior Senate Republican aide is anticipating a loss of seats due to the unfavorable political climate. Currently, Republicans hold 22 of the 34 Senate seats up for re-election next year, while Democrats have 12. All Democratic incumbents plan to seek re-election and are expected to win, while five Republican incumbents have already declared they will not run in 2008. Last week, Senators Pete Domenici of New Mexico and Larry Craig of Idaho, along with fellow Republicans John Warner of Virginia, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, and Wayne Allard of Colorado, announced they will not be seeking re-election. Domenici, 75, cited declining health as his reason, while Craig, 62, mentioned his disputed conviction in an undercover sex-sting operation in an airport men's room. The scandal surrounding Craig's conviction has brought embarrassment to the Republican party, which prides itself on conservative family values. Additionally, the party has been dealing with a political corruption investigation in Alaska that involves Senator Ted Stevens, the longest serving Republican senator in history. Stevens, who has been in the Senate since 1968, has denied any misconduct. However, the investigation has made the 83-year-old Alaskan more susceptible in the 2008 elections. The Democrats gained control of Congress last year partly due to the Iraq war, and they may be able to strengthen their majorities in the House of Representatives and Senate next year. Despite this, Republicans are optimistic because polls indicate that only one in four Americans approve of the Democratic-led Congress, which has been hindered by partisan conflicts. Rebecca Fisher, a spokesperson for the Democratic Senate campaign committee, stated that Democrats have not yet demonstrated their ability to effectively lead the country, and voters are noticing. She believes that Republicans will regain control of the Senate. Despite this, Democrats are dismissing these claims, pointing out that polls still show that Americans prefer Democrats in Congress. However, many are hesitant to predict their success in the upcoming elections. Duffy from the Cook Political Report stated that Democrats are trying to lower expectations for significant Senate gains because they are concerned it could energize the Republican base. Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, who previously doubted his party's chances of winning the Senate in 2006, now focuses on maintaining a majority without making predictions for 2008. Similarly, Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, in charge of the Senate Democratic campaign committee, expresses confidence in their chances without disclosing potential seat gains.