According to today’s Hotline (paid subscription), New Hampshire State Representative Michael Brunelle in a phone news conference said the Senate Democrats now believe they have 66 votes, one short of what is required to override the Presidents veto on the stem cell bill. The House already has enough votes, this override would be an important rebuke to the President’s authority, and mark the first actual legislative victory of this Congress.

According to the Hotline and the Union Leader, Sununu, a major target for Democrats in 2008, is the only member of the NH delegation who is against the position. As a very vulnerable target, he seems the most likely candidate for Democrats and activists to lean on to gain 67.

What remains to be seen now is when the vote to override will take place. If I were involved in strategy discussions I would wait until after Labor Day, and turn this into a wedge issue against conservatives as people finally start tuning into the primary races.