Posted on 04/22/2006 5:02:11 AM PDT by Carl/NewsMax
National Republicans may pay a huge price for not doing more to oppose Hillary Clinton's Senate reelection bid this year.
In fact, it may cost them control of the House.
Bloomberg News reports that the former first lady, along with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Eliot Spitzer, now lead their opponents by such wide margins that their coattails could help Democrats "pick up as many as six New York congressional seats - more than one-third of the 15 they need nationally to gain a House majority."
Lee Miringoff, director of the Institute for Public Opinion at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, agrees that Clinton and Spitzer victories could have national consequences.
"It could turn into a Democratic year in New York, which might then have an impact on down-ballot races for Congress," he explained.
Even absent the New York factor, Republicans are already deeply worried that the House could go Democrat - a prospect that White House spokeswoman Mary Matalin described on Thursday as "catastrophic."
Add a Hillary Clinton landslide into the equation and Republican hopes grow considerably dimmer, at least if Miringoff's calculations hold true.
With so much on the line, one would expect the national GOP to be working overtime to boost Clinton's challenger, former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer. Even if he didn't win, a closer race might help preserve precious congressional seats for the GOP.
But outside of a brief critique of Mrs. Clinton "brittleness" delivered by Karl Rove earlier this year, the Bush White House is acting like they have nothing at stake in the New York race.
That's particularly odd, because if Dems take over the House, future House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers has already indicated that impeachment will be at the top of his agenda.
The conservative media hasn't been much better. After Jeanine Pirro's challenge fizzled in December, most pundits have treated Mrs. Clinton's reelection as a forgone conclusion.
Even though recent polls show Spencer gaining on Clinton, he's gotten almost no exposure on talk radio and cable TV - and print interviews have been slim to none.
That's not because Spencer has nothing to say - his comments to NewsMax earlier this year show he's ready to go after Hillary hammer and tong.
Still, Republican Party activists seem content to have Mrs. Clinton's reelection devolve into a coronation.
That's fine - as long they don't complain too loudly if Democrats take back the House based on a handful of seats won in New York - effectively putting an end to the Bush presidency.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
She hates it when people call her "Big Hillary Clinton"!
Those are not 'coattails'. Wash your hands with plenty of soap and water!
this is BS
I used to read Newsmax Carl. Have you ever wondered why many of us have stopped? Keep it up, and you will have less of an audience that pat buchanan!
LLS
Any specifics as to who is in danger exactly? My Congressman, Jim Walsh (Syracuse and surrounding area) will sail to reelection. I'm not sure he even has a Democratic opponent.
I have family who lives in upstate NY in a heavily Republican district. The people there could care less about the supposed Spitzer and Hildabeast effect, who's support comes mostly from New York City. They'll re-elect their Republican candidate by a wide margin.
Does anyone expect anything other than a big win for the Beast?
Oh Pleasse Hilary's NY Senate race hardly has coat-tails.
The drive-by MSM writer is wet-dream writing.
Was the this written in Diseyland's fantasyland much like the New Orleans mayoral candidates photos being substitute shot at the park vs the real locale?
When hasn't it been a Democrap year in New York? Even the Republicans are liberals!
Note how Sean Hannity had the socially liberal Pirro (wh is a terrific DA, BTW) on the show frequently, but as far as I know, has NEVER had the much-more-conservative Spencer on the air.
? Call the radio stations and demand that they put ALL SEnatorial candidates (and gubernatorial candidates, too) on the air. And I think an independent expenditure campaign is called for here. We need to start a fund to flood New York stations with paid reminders of Hitlery's scandals as well as her voting record.
Carl, you were better when you were simply "Carl of Oyster Bay," calling in to the NYC radio talk shows.
I almost shot my fruit juice through my nose reading this. The NY delegation is already overrepresented with 'Rats, and the GOP ONLY holds 9 out of 29 seats. Where do they think the GOP will shrink to 3 (?!?) seats with Spitzer and Clinton at the top of the ballot ?! Utter crap !
You are absolutely correct. At most the dem's pick off two house seats in NY.
I wonder which of Hillary's assistance really wrote this article?
Sue Kelly.
This is frustrating. It's like the entire Republican party isn't standing up for much of anything. It's a bad habit they picked up from the President.
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