2010: Senate Dems Optimisitic, House Dems Not

Two years out, Democratic campaign leaders have differing outlooks for the next election cycle in 2010. On the House side, there's pessimism, as Politico reports:

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen (Md.) said Friday that despite the party's recent success, Democratic candidates may face a tough environment in 2010.

"I'm not predicting any third waves here," Van Hollen said in remarks at a forum sponsored by Georgetown University and Politico.

Meanwhile, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Robert Menendez has expressed optimism, fueled by the party's success in 2008 as well as his own analysis of the 2010 political climate. From CNN:

Of those five states with outgoing GOP senators, Menendez said the fact that President Obama carried three of them handily and essentially tied Sen. John McCain in Missouri bodes well for Democrats in 2010. He also expressed optimism about Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' chances in that traditional red state should she decide to run there: "If Kathleen Sebelius runs, she will win," Menendez said.

The DSCC chief added a combination of local and national factors make four other Republican-held seats vulnerable -- Louisiana,- North Carolina, Kentucky and Pennsylvania.

With the election still two years away, nothing is definitive. As Van Hollen notes, many House Dems' re-election prospects will depend very much on the perceived success of the stimulus package, which has not received any House Republican support.

Comments

[roger37]

Please remember that elections in the USA are decided by LOW-INFORMATION VOTERS. And it's really easy for the low info types to repeat and believe the sloganeering and jingoism of Republican demagogues. The pressure has to be kept on.

The current obstructionist tactics of the Rethugs regarding the Stimulus Bill is a good example to use in characterizing their willingness to let the US go down the tubes as long as the Democrats look bad while it happens.

[miocid31]

boy if this country doesn't understand that republicans don't care about anyone else but themselves, then it serves them all right to drive this nation further into the abyss. and trust me,Gildebrand will not win re-election in 2010, but another democrat will

[Americanium]

They don't deserve any either...the only thing is the GOP is a worse option.

[dnegri]

Chances are that the GOP will pick up 8-10 House seats, mainly a number of those that we took in 2008 in Republican districts (such as Idaho and one in Ohio). I think we'll get back the lost "Jefferson" seat in New Orleans but lose the Gildebrand seat in NY, etc etc). But bottom line remains that we'll still have a very comfortable majority in the House and that's all that counts. I'm not as optimistic as Menendez about picking up that 60th seat in the Senate. We saw in Georgia how when the GOP uses the "60 vote" scare tactic it can work.

[IndieBlue]

NH would be an easy pickup if Gov Lynch and his 75% approval rating runs (assuming Rep Hodes wises up and gets out of the way early). Kansas (yes, Kansas) is also a distinct possibility w/ Sebelius. McCain would probably have been on his way out the door if AZ's gov hadn't taken the post Homeland Security (anyone else freaked out by "Homeland Security"?). Otherwise, what's left but the deep south and magic underpants/Aryan Nation upper midwest?

[LordMike]

Governor Lynch? The Republicrat? No thanks... might as well just vote for a republican after the BS he pulled with Gregg's replacement... He would never stay with us on cloture and stab the party int he back every chance he could....

[Okieborn]

I would certainly be a lot more "OPTIMISTIC" if President Obama will Get Tough , instead of using Kid Gloves on the Repubs !!!
Put Them In their Place Mr. President !!!

[Mogamboguru]

I agree... "Sigh!"

[noamjunior]

3 weeks - take a chill pill

[LucieLee]

I don't think the Democratic Party has anything to worry about when 2010 rolls around. With the GOPers being seen as nothing but the Party of "NO" and obstructionists, and the public wanting to get things done, they know what and who is in the way!

[Osmona]

Especially when we see the stimulus package is working and turning the economy around.

[-0013]

Hah! You can hope in one hand and crap in the other - see which one gets filled first.

I hope this plan works but it ain't gonna.

[IndieBlue]

He probably shouldn't expect a third wave. In reality there are only about two dozen House seats that are truly up for grabs and those are split pretty evenly now.

[greatlardini]

Sen. Menendez is more optimistic than I am about Gov. Sebelius' chances here in Kansas. Either Tiahrt or Moran will be tough to beat, especially Tiahrt, as he is far closer to the luna.tic frin.ge.

[devanate]

Dems, just keep doing what you're doing. Focus on the problems of the country and include the republicans. Let them keep obstructing and showing themselves for the partisan crybabies they are. Then they will take even more losses in 2010 as you sweep up a super majority till you can pass any legislation you want!

[mergina]

Nobody's job is safe. You need to EARN YOUR RE-ELECTION. That means getting people back to work, students able to get to college, our world greened and on and on and on. Stop wasting time and get stuff done.

[Haditup2here]

Ditto . . . and stop giving bank executives, CEOs, and those on Wall Street passes under the table while s. crew. ing over the taxpayers for a change.