Democrats on a roll in battle for U.S. Congress

[rodeodance]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060903/pl_nm/campaign_dc

Democrats on a roll in battle for U.S. Congress

By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent Sun Sep 3, 9:50 AM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats enter the fall campaign with a clear edge in the high-stakes fight for control of the U.S. Congress, riding a wave of momentum that has them positioned to retake the U.S. House of Representatives and make significant gains in the Senate.


President George W. Bush's low approval ratings and public dissatisfaction with the
Iraq war, gas prices and the country's direction threaten Republican leadership in Congress and put Democrats within reach of victory on November 7, analysts said.

"I don't think the question any longer is can Democrats win control of Congress, it's can Republicans do anything to stop it?" said Amy Walter, House analyst for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report newsletter. "All the factors and issues are pushing so strongly against Republicans."

All 435 House seats, 34 of 100 Senate seats and 36 governorships are at stake in November's election, with Democrats needing to pick up 15 House seats and six Senate seats to reclaim majorities.

Strategists in both parties say the glum public mood has created a strong desire for change and given Democrats a big advantage at the traditional opening of the campaign season on Monday's Labor Day holiday.

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. Don't get comfortable just yet.

Plenty of time for celebrating after Nov. 7th, hopefully.

[gizmo1979]

8. Yeah we probably have

3 more terror alerts couple of other october surprises to survive yet

[IndianaGreen]

2. Red state Indiana will give Democrats a pleasant surprise in November

There are 2-3 GOP House seats that are about to turn blue!

[bluestateguy]

3. Can we please just vote now? Please?

If elections in this country were held in August or early September Democrats would win most of the time. Two months in a lot of time for Republican mischief, and they have the ability to manipulate events and to make decsions that will do a lot more to affect the political environment than the Democrats can do. Republicans have one thing right now that the Democrats don't have: the government. That gives them a lot more toys to play with than we have.

[AX10]

5. I don't agree. If the elections would held in August, the GOP would...

start their dirty tricks in June.

Right now, they start their dirty tricks in September for the November election. We have to combat their filth.

[Ignacio Upton]

7. That...

and wads of cash and a better GOTV apparatus.
We can win if and only if OUR DEMOCRATIC LEADERS step up the to plate and go for the jugular against them.

[crossroads]

9. Dems lack the spine to do that!

They are so busy playing defense they forgot how to go on the offense! They need to buy a clue!

[gratuitous]

4. What? How can the Democrats be doing any good?

Every last bit of news I've seen for the last year solid has been either good news or great news for Republicans! Bush down in polls? Good news! Because he's about to get a bump. Bush up in polls? Great news, his policies are working! Iraq is nearly in civil war? Good news! Because it means Bush's strategy is working. Iraq is actually in civil war? Great news, because the Democrats can't call for a withdrawal!

Clearly this "story" is an outlier. John Whitesides will soon be looking for a new job. "Democrats on a roll," indeed.

[Turbineguy]

6. Well, here's some more good news

I thought there were only 5 Democrats in my neighborhood with 188 houses. I found out yesterday there are at least 8.

The Democratic District Chairman spotted my DU sticker and knew he was safe.