The word senate is derived from the Latin word senex for "old man", via the Latin word senatus (senate). The members or legislators of a senate are called senators. The Latin word senator was adopted into English with no change in spelling. Its meaning comes from a very ancient form of even simple social organization in which decision-making powers are reserved for the eldest men. For the same reason, the word senate is correctly used when referring to any powerful authority characteristically composed by the eldest members of a community, as a deliberative body of a faculty in an institution of higher learning is often called a senate. The original senate was the Roman Senate, which lasted until 580.
NewsHour with Jim Lehrer | Politics Coverage | PBS
Ahead of Second Debate, Presidential Candidates Sharpen Attacks Leading up to Tuesday night's presidential debate, Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama each released ads questioning the other's character. Political reporters discuss the state of the race in the midst of economic turmoil and what to watch for during the debate. Campaigns Go on the Attack With New Ads and Old Controversies Sen. Barack Obama's campaign e-mailed a new video ad to supporters Monday reminding them of Sen. John McCain's mid-career scandal involving a corrupt savings and loan owner -- a quick retort after McCain's running mate Sarah Palin blasted Obama's ties to controversial '60s radical over the weekend. General, Dozens More Killed in Sri Lankan Blast A suspected rebel suicide bomber killed at least 26 people, including a prominent retired army general, during an attack inside an opposition party office in northern Sri Lanka Monday.
Elections - A state-by-state listing of all U.S. Senate candidates and other candidates throughout the United States, including links to candidate web sites
Meta Description: [ US Political and Election news from around the nation - by Ron Gunzburger, publisher of the award-winning Politics1.com site ]
Modern Vertebrate - 2006 U.S. Senate Races - Information and predictions regarding upcoming US Senate elections.
Meta Description: [ The 2006 senatorial campaigns are well underway. ]