LAT: 2 Georgia Races May Threaten Democrats' Struggle for Power

[DeepModem Mom]

2 Georgia Races May Threaten Democrats' Struggle for Power
Two congressmen face well-known opponents whose bids are aided by GOP redistricting.
By Richard Fausset, Times Staff Writer
September 10, 2006

ATLANTA — Riding a wave of discontent over the economy, Iraq and gas prices, Democrats are hoping to win enough seats to retake the House of Representatives this November. But their success could also hinge on their ability to keep the seats they already have — and doing so could prove difficult in two key races in Georgia.

Democratic U.S. Reps. Jim Marshall of Macon and John Barrow of Savannah are facing hearty challenges from a pair of former Republican congressmen with name recognition and the ability to raise big money. Bolstering their chances are new district boundaries drawn up by the first GOP-dominated Georgia Legislature since Reconstruction.

The outcome of the races could have broad national implications. The Democratic Party needs a net gain of 15 seats to obtain a majority in the House. Its candidates are posing serious threats to Republican incumbents in states such as Indiana, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

But Republicans have also identified a handful of vulnerable Democratic incumbents, and are hoping to pick off a few of them to thwart a Democratic return to power.

"Everyone's focused right now on where Democrats can gain seats, and properly so — it's a Democratic year," said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics. "But if Republicans can steal even a few seats from Democrats, it will probably eliminate the chances of a Democratic takeover....

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-gadems10sep10,0,7985121.story?track=mostviewed-homepage

[AX10]

1. If we win, we will win more than 15 seats. If there is a real desire for.

change this fall, the people will oust the incumbent party by large margins.

[Warpy]

3. Hedge your bets

We're going to see nonstop character assassination at the local level and a fear-a-thon at the national level as the Nazis, oops, GOP struggles to hang on to the power they've stolen during the last 3 elections.

Remember also that a recent poll showed that people were OK with their SOB in office but thought your SOB had to go.

I've heard nothing but disgust for incumbents in both parties here in central NM. Whether that will translate into votes is still moot.

[AndyA]

2. People want change, and I think they understand the GOP has to go

in order to obtain that change. I think most people want to restore some sense of balance. The Executive Branch is GOP, so the Congress must be Dem to restore integrity. I think people know this, and will vote accordingly, even if they aren't exactly thrilled with the Dem currently in that seat.

Of course, we still have to worry about Diebold.