Can we do it in 2006? Here are the stats:

[npincus]

According to the latest NBC/WSJ poll results, 37% would like Congress to remain in Republican hands, but a whopping 50% want Dems to take over. Oh, the things we can do once we are in charge...

What do you all think are our chances?





435 seats - all to be contested in mid-terms

Republicans hold 231 seats; Democrats 201; one independent; two seats vacant

Democrats need to win net 15 seats to win control of House





100 seats - 33 to be contested in mid-terms

Republicans hold 55 seats; Democrats 44; one independent

Democrats need to win net six seats to win control of Senate




******Map credit to: specimenfred1984 from thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=679672&mesg_id=679672

******Graphs and corresponding data from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4815912.stm

[valerief]

1. Can we remove all the evoting machines?

If so, we can. Otherwise, we're still living in Rove Grove.

[electropop]

2. We need enough votes to make the cheating too obvious to ignore.

Looks like we have a good shot at it.

[Sammy Pepys]

3. I don't like that map.

I think it's way too optimistic.

All it's showing is Bush's approval rating by state. This might be an OK predictor for the Senate, but it's really tenuous for the House. Does anyone really think those light blue Southern states are going to oust their Republican incumbents?

[Zambero]

7. Yes, perhaps

Even the "red" states have "blue" and more importantly "purple" congressional districts that could be in play, especially if there's an open seat. A lot of GOP candidates will find themselves in a no-win sitution come November. If they steadfastly support Bush, disaffected independent (and even some GOP) voters could tip the balance toward the Democratic candidates. If a Republican candidate distances themself from Bush, some of his remaining hard core supporters might either sit out the election or even cast their votes for a Democrat.

[Sammy Pepys]

8. House districts are tougher to peg though...

Rural districts where Republican candidates have better chances for victory are likely to be underrepresented in polls like this. That's part of the reason I don't like that map....it's probably more representative of larger urban centers than state attitudes as a whole, yet it purports to represent the attitude of the state. That, and I think it's skewed a little too heavily towards Dems. I just don't want anyone to get complacent looking at that map.

[Danieljay]

4. Two words: Voter Fraud.

and a third: Deibold.

[skipos]

5. We did really well in 05 (VA, NJ, CA) and we can do well in 06. nt

[dusty64]

6. I no longer believe in free fair

elections in this country. I will vote in 2006 cause NY will not have vapor vote machines yet, after that I will not bother and will keep fighting the machine. The Dem election commissioner in my county has joined his rethug counterpart in trying to ram these shit things down our throats, I just don't get why this is happening. I expect a couple thugs to be thrown overboard to try and maintain the appearance of credibility. They will keep control and the media puppets will find some crazy reason to explain why despite public outrage and exit polls the extreme right managed to win again. Sorry for my pessimism, but I see NO reason to feel otherwise.