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Election trouble brewing for House Dems in 2010 |
2009-09-13 |
![]() Fifty-four new Democrats were swept into the House in 2006 and 2008, helping the party claim a decisive majority as voters soured on a Republican president and embraced Obama's message of hope and change. Many of the new Democrats are in districts carried by Republican John McCain in last year's presidential contest; others are in traditional swing districts that have proved tough for either party to hold. From New Hampshire to Nevada, House Democrats also will be forced to defend votes on Obama's $757 billion economic recovery package and on energy legislation viewed by many as a job killer in an already weak economy. Add to that the absence of Obama from the top of the ticket, which could reduce turnout among blacks, liberals and young people, and the likelihood of a highly motivated GOP base confused by the president's proposed health care plan and angry at what they consider reckless spending and high debt. Taken together, it could be the most toxic environment for Democrats since 1994, when the party lost 34 House incumbents and 54 seats altogether. Democrats currently have a 256-178 edge in the House, with one vacancy. Republicans would have to pick up 40 seats to regain control. "When you have big sweeps as Democrats did in 2006 and 2008, inevitably some weak candidates get elected. And when the environment gets even moderately challenging, a number of them are going to lose," said Jack Pitney, a political science professor at Claremont McKenna College in California. Since the mid-19th century, the party that controls the White House has lost seats in virtually every midterm election. The exceptions were in 1934, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt navigated the Great Depression, and in 2002, after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, strengthened George W. Bush's image as a leader. With history as a guide, Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., who heads the party's House campaign committee, said he has warned colleagues to be prepared for an exceptionally challenging environment going into 2010. But Van Hollen said voters will make their choices on the strength of the national economy and will reward Democrats for working aggressively to improve it. "We passed an economic recovery bill with zero help from Republican colleagues," he said. "I think voters will see that and will ask themselves, 'Who was there to get the economy moving again, and who was standing in the way?'" |
Posted by:Fred |
#6 MoreScotch4me: Yet, somehow, most of the Dems got reelected, and then some. The Dems took control of Congress in 2006, but managed to keep blaming the Reps for things that Congress was doing. A remarkable feat. Now the Dems control everything and can't pass the blame onto anyone else, so they'll take the hit themselves. |
Posted by: Iblis 2009-09-13 12:31 |
#5 The big issue on the horizon is federalism. Here is one of the better versions, written by a Georgetown University Law Professor: http://www.federalismamendment.com/ It's a humdinger. |
Posted by: Anonymoose 2009-09-13 11:52 |
#4 This is not about Donks or Trunks. It's about the legitimacy of government. Rituals and institutions do not make a government. They found that out in Moscow. |
Posted by: Procopius2k 2009-09-13 11:37 |
#3 Does anyone remember what the Congressional approval ratings were back at this time in 2008? Well? Do you? Oh yeah, they were as high as a Rasta in a drunk tank after 48 hours. Yet, somehow, most of the Dems got reelected, and then some. Why? "I hate Congress, but my guy is OK." It's the same damn thing. Troubles brewing for the Dems like my coffee pot is, and that's how much it means to everyone who isn't a news junkie. Thanks the Holy G' we all bought bullets. |
Posted by: MoreScotch4me 2009-09-13 10:43 |
#2 "We passed an economic Probably, but I don't think they'll get the same answer you seem to think they will, Bub. |
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2009-09-13 10:25 |
#1 ...inevitably some weak candidates get elected. SOME? SOME??? SOME WEAK CANDIDATE????? Can anyone name more than 2 good reps? I can't name any, but then, I'm from Massaholia. |
Posted by: AlanC 2009-09-13 10:06 |