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Democratic Congress Shows Cracks("more than 60 seats in play in this cycle")
The Washington Times ^ | June 18, 2007 | Donald Lambro

Posted on 06/17/2007 9:59:31 PM PDT by kellynla

Republican campaign strategists and independent election analysts say that after five months of contentious House Democratic rule, the Republican Party's once-bleak congressional prospects for 2008 have markedly improved.

The Democratic Congress' job approval score is now worse than President Bush's, plummeting to 23 percent, a drop of eight points since April. House Democrats have been forced to retreat in the face of a furious assault by Republicans on pork-barrel spending, an issue that hurt the Republican Party in November. And Republican recruiting has produced plenty of candidates eyeing weak Democratic freshmen in Republican-leaning districts that swept them into office last year.

"Republican recruiting seems to be progressing at a reasonable pace. GOP strategists have about half a dozen seats that they know the party should never have lost ... and eight of the nine most vulnerable House seats currently are held by Democrats," elections analyst Stu Rothenberg wrote last week in his Political Report newsletter.

Strategists at the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) confirm that a larger than expected number of House seats are now being targeted by the NRCC and that a surprisingly larger-than-expected number of seasoned candidates from state legislatures and other elective offices are coming forward to challenge Democrats who took over Republican districts.

"A lot of Republican candidates are seeing an opportunity for higher office for the first time in a while. They've been waiting in the wings with a lot of pent-up ambitions, hoping that a Republican incumbent was going to retire, and now see that it's held by a Democrat," said NRCC press secretary Ken Spain.

"These candidates are smart and realize that 2006 was a wave election and it's highly unlikely that Democrats will get back-to-back cycles like that in a row," he said.

(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Extended News; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008; congress; democrats; election; gop
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To: kellynla

A lot of wishful thinking, IMHO. It takes wads of cash to run a successful campaign, and the Pubbies have pissed away the support of the base with this immigration sham. Where do they plan on getting the dough? All else being equal, it could have been a very good year.


41 posted on 06/18/2007 2:06:45 AM PDT by thelastvirgil (Lest ye put all your faith in the government to provide for you, check their track record.)
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To: EverOnward
WRONG! We know what we want; we do not have the resources as does big business and special interest groups with their K Street lobbyists to influence the sleezy politicians who lie their way through their campaigns to collect enough votes to screw the American people.

WRONG! The last election, and the polls since, prove it.

42 posted on 06/18/2007 2:07:38 AM PDT by Darkwolf377 (Bostonian, atheist, prolifer)
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To: goldstategop
Many got elected in GOP strongholds by the thinest of margins. The 2006 voter temper tantrum will not happen again in 2008. There's going to be a lot of one-hit wonders come Jan 2009.
43 posted on 06/18/2007 3:01:31 AM PDT by AmericaUnited
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To: kellynla

Heath Schuler in NC has been targeted. They’re running campaign ads in the district like it’s Sep 08.


44 posted on 06/18/2007 4:00:05 AM PDT by saganite (Billions and billions and billions----and that's just the NASA budget!)
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To: saganite
Heath Shuler is a real loser, lousy Quarterback, a lousy politician and an even worse Rep...
45 posted on 06/18/2007 4:27:48 AM PDT by iopscusa (El Vaquero. (SC Lowcountry Cowboy))
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To: iopscusa; Congressman Billybob

I talked to my local state rep recently. Apparently, our former congressman, Taylor is thinking about contesting for his old seat. Also, a freeper, congressman billybob (John Armor), is going to seek the Republican nomination. There’s also interest from our state senator. They’re lining up to take a shot at him.


46 posted on 06/18/2007 4:52:35 AM PDT by saganite (Billions and billions and billions----and that's just the NASA budget!)
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To: kellynla

Democrat self-destruction seems to be America’s best hope. The Republican politicians have certainly failed her.


47 posted on 06/18/2007 5:16:12 AM PDT by Savage Beast (A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within.~Durant)
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To: Brizick; GoreNoMore; truthkeeper; spectre
Clarity is a good thing, except when the truth hurts!

I now realize they didn't close that back door because they never intended to close that door, even after 9/11.

I remember thinking way back in the summer of 2001, Bush was awfully chummy with Vicente Fox and was surely ready to give away the farm....OUR FARM....if 9/11 hadn't happened.

I believe we were mere days or weeks away from amnesty happening then...

..and it would have rolled over us like a smooth wave.

But NOW we can see clearly....and the good Lord willing, we have an opportunity to head this off at the pass....

...I truly hope so!

Pray without ceasing!

Make those calls!!!!

48 posted on 06/18/2007 5:19:21 AM PDT by Guenevere (Duncan Hunter for President, 2008!!)
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To: fieldmarshaldj

McConnell is married to the Labor Secretary ??

That’s all I need to know on this issue.


49 posted on 06/18/2007 6:07:57 AM PDT by TaxxMann (Can't put a dollar sign on citizenship - oh wait, they just did !)
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To: Brizick
I think people are waking up. A BIG LIB friend of mine is so pissed off at this immigration debacle and sanctuary policies, she's getting involved.

Quite a few of our employees are libs, and they are furious about immigration. BUT, we need a leader to step up and lead.

Don't know if I see one.

50 posted on 06/18/2007 6:57:14 AM PDT by Red Boots
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To: saganite
No, I am not definitely going for Congress in 2008. I am taking a hard look at the possibility. My choice has nothing to do with who else runs. It has everything to do with whether I can mount a well-funded, well-staffed campaign. See below.

And, please e-mail or freep-mail me with the specific information you've heard. Rumors are flying fast and furious, but facts are scarce as hen's teeth.

Congressman Billybob

Latest article, "Bar Fight in the Blue Ridge: The Battle for NC 11"

51 posted on 06/18/2007 7:20:52 AM PDT by Congressman Billybob (Please visit www.ArmorforCongress.com)
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To: EverOnward; Brizick
As for Congressman Billybob, I try not to be a bastard. Take a look-see. If you like what you see, and know from years on FreeRepublic, please join me.

Congressman Billybob

Latest article, "Bar Fight in the Blue Ridge: The Battle for NC 11"

52 posted on 06/18/2007 7:29:02 AM PDT by Congressman Billybob (Please visit www.ArmorforCongress.com)
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To: saganite
The ads that are running in Heath Shuler's district are not targeting him. They are praising him. Ads are being run by AFSCME, the "public service" union. That's MY district. Click below for an explanation of why those ads are running NOW, so far before the election.

Congressman Billybob

Latest article, "Bar Fight in the Blue Ridge: The Battle for NC 11"

53 posted on 06/18/2007 7:32:11 AM PDT by Congressman Billybob (Please visit www.ArmorforCongress.com)
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To: Congressman Billybob

I’m apparently hearing different ads than you are. Ads tying Heath to Pelosi aren’t meant to praise him. Someone in the R party is paying for the adds and Heath is definitely being targeted. I have heard the ads you refer to. I didn’t hear them until the anti Heath ads showed up.


54 posted on 06/18/2007 7:36:51 AM PDT by saganite (Billions and billions and billions----and that's just the NASA budget!)
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To: kellynla

Pork is a useless campaign issue.

Everyone hates pork unless it happens to benefit their district. If pork were a good campaign issue John Murtha would be out of the House.


55 posted on 06/18/2007 7:39:48 AM PDT by Artemis Webb (New York politicians do not think or believe like Americans. ...Thompson 2008)
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To: kellynla
85% of the votes against the Immigration bill came from Republicans.

80% of the votes for the Bill came from Democrats.

That is all a Republican candidate need point out when the Immigration issue comes up.

56 posted on 06/18/2007 8:09:54 AM PDT by MNJohnnie (If you will try being smarter, I will try being nicer.)
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To: saganite
Are the anti-Heath ads on radio or TV? Who’s running them? I haven’t heard or seen a single ad in this District except for the AFSCME ads. Keep me posted; it’s important.

John / Billybob

57 posted on 06/18/2007 8:15:51 AM PDT by Congressman Billybob (Please visit www.ArmorforCongress.com)
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To: kellynla

Let’s start a new party !!!


58 posted on 06/18/2007 8:45:20 AM PDT by The Raven
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To: GoreNoMore

At best, it will take years to build the fence in this dysfunctional system of ours. I’m all for the fence, but it’s also essential to minimize new illegals in the meantime, and to drive many existing illegals out of the country through tougher enforcement.


59 posted on 06/18/2007 12:01:03 PM PDT by California Patriot ("That's not Charley the Tuna out there. It's Jaws." -- Richard Nixon)
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To: kellynla

Now if only the House can s***can the Amnesty Bill if and when they get it.


60 posted on 06/18/2007 12:26:06 PM PDT by AU72
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