Posted on 09/16/2005 10:45:57 AM PDT by UCAL
Democratic strategists and Stuart Rothenberg predict House Democrats will make significant gains, six seats or more, but probably not enough to capture the chamber.
Analyst Rothenberg said declines in Congress' job-approval polls and increased dissatisfaction with the country's direction have created negative "atmospherics" that could benefit Democrats.
"With President Bush's ratings battered by the war in Iraq, high gas prices and public dissatisfaction with the economy, 2006 looks to be a golden opportunity for House Democrats," Mr. Rothenberg told clients.
A growing chorus of pundits and Democratic strategists point to poll numbers, such as this week's by Newsweek, which says 38% of registered voters would vote for a Republican if congressional elections were today.
Republican strategists say such generic polls ignore polling numbers showing voters strongly approve of their own members of Congress by 61% to 32%, and that a lot can change in 14 months.
Democrats would need a gain of 15 seats to win back control; most analysts say that is beyond their reach because there are so few competitive races. Rothenberg counts only 37 seats "in play" -- 26 Republican and 11 Democrat held.
The NRCC counts 32 competitive races, but Mr. Forti said "that means Democrats have to win 93% of those races. Based on past history, that's going to be impossible for them."
Even so, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, pointing to an aggressive candidate recruitment, is convinced Republicans are on the defensive this election cycle.
Mr. Burton declined to say how many seats Democrats expect to pick up next year, but said "as things stand now, support for the Republican Congress is very low."
Still, Mr. Forti said it's a long time between now and the 2006 elections, when the political environment could change dramatically.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
Democratic strategists have been drinking the bong water again!
If the conventional wisdom is that Democrats will pick up six seats, I'll guess they will only pick up two by the time it all plays out.
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Say it ain't so!
When have I heard THIS before? Lemme think:
Was it in '96?
Or was it '98?
OR 2000?
Maybe it was in '02?
Yeah, that's it: all of the above!
OTOH, let one Dimocrat run on the platform of cutting taxes, and I'd vote for him.
Yea they want to recruit military types that act like Republicans but bash Bush. Why not get the real thing.
Can anyone say what the DUmmie agenda is? Regaining power is NOT an AGENDA. They offer NOTHING.
Isn't this the same kind of talk we heard in 2002? Party of the President in office never picks up seats at a mid-term election...never say never, LOL.
Tell me what the DUmmies stand for, that they can ADMIT to the electorate?
Kinda like fans of the Seahawks.
Democratic strategists and Stuart Rothenberg predict House Democrats will make significant gains, six seats or more, but probably not enough to capture the chamber.
Same song, 4th verse. They sing this every election cycle. Problem is they are basing this on fraudlent polling data that polled everyone over 18 and added 13% to the Democrat respondents. Did NOT poll "Likely Voters". Gas prices dropped $.50 in the last week see if they are singing this same tune in Oct.
The Rats DID make gains in the House in 1998.
Congress made the mistake of piling on the pork instead of balancing the budget. A lot of them are going to be shown the door because of that.
LOLOL.....hope they're putting their money where their mouths are. Nice to see them follow Terry McAwful down the drain.
Exactly right -
As long as Republicans don't stop the GWB tax-cuts they will not lose seats in 06 -
If the GOP sticks with the GWB tax-cuts and continues to support the GWOT - The GOP will pick up 4 to 8 seats in the House and 2 to 3 seats in the Senate in 06 -
All the while (right up until Nov 06) the MSM will run with stories of how the DEM's will win big -
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