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Three reasons Republicans may not want to capture the Senate

Control of the Senate is the big prize in the November midterms. Increasingly, the Republicans’ prospects are looking good.

If Republicans do capture the Senate, isn’t that great for them? In many ways, yes. They’d get to set the Senate agenda, for starters. But winning also brings risks. Here are some:

2. Republicans will have a bigger part of the 'Washington dysfunction' narrative

Melinda Deslatte/AP
US Rep. Bill Cassidy (R) speaks to reporters after qualifying to run for the US Senate, Aug. 20, 2014, in Baton Rouge, La. Mr. Cassidy is seeking to keep Sen. Mary Landrieu (D) from a fourth term in office.

Democrats have tried hard to pound the “Do-Nothing Congress” for its failure to, well, get much done. They blame the Republican-controlled House as well as Republicans in the Senate, who have considerable power, even in the minority. But Republicans’ easy reply, for now, is that Democrats control the Senate – and that Sen. Harry Reid (D) of Nevada, the majority leader, seems to enjoy making life miserable for minority leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

If the Republicans retake the Senate, their ability to blame Democrats for any continuing dysfunction will be greatly reduced.

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