CQ's New Ratings: Dems Have Momentum In House Races Going Into 2008
CQ Politics has just unveiled a new batch of ratings of the 2008 House races, and things are shaping up favorably for Dems. Here are CQ's key conclusions:
* The Republicans are the defending party in more districts (28) than the Democrats (22).
* Of 28 mildly competitive districts, 16 seats are Republican-held seats and 12 are Democratic-held.
* Of the eight races CQ currently rates as toss-ups, six are held by Republicans, including four incumbents who have left their seats open to retire: Rick Renzi of Arizona’s 1st District; Jerry Weller of Illinois’ 11th; Jim Ramstad of Minnesota’s 3rd; and Deborah Pryce of Ohio’s 15th.
History dictates that a party taking the majority with a win as big as last year's generally heads into the next election on the defensive. That doesn't appear to be happening here. CQ concludes: "The Democrats have more opportunities in the 2008 elections to expand their newly minted majority in the U.S. House than the Republicans have to whittle the Democrats’ edge in seats." As Kos notes, CQ's analysis demonstrates very clearly that Dems have the momentum right now.
CQ's full analysis here.
Comments (7)
DCE in NYC wrote on September 27, 2007 6:35 PM:If Bush is wondering what his legacy will be, look no further: The person who ran the GOP onto the rocks.
slb wrote on September 27, 2007 6:43 PM:Well, that is Bush's history, after all -- running things onto the rocks. The difference is that this time Daddy's friends can't bail him out.
starwheel wrote on September 27, 2007 6:48 PM:Sorry I can't be more enthusiastic.
With friends like the Democrats, who needs Republicans?
Since the Democrats lack the balls to condemn Republicans for their disastrous policies but have no qualms condemning the liberals who busted their balls for the Democrats, I hope their shift to the right of center works for them.
This has less to do with what the Democrats are offering than what the Republicans are.
But they lost my vote and my support.
Daniel wrote on September 27, 2007 6:48 PM:This confirms these House rankings
Tom in Ma wrote on September 28, 2007 7:28 AM:Starwheel: so who are voting for?
Understand that you are repeating and spreading the GOP's talking points about the Democrats as surely at Lieberman does, namely that the "Democrats are really no different than us on important foreign policy and security matters, except for when they pander to crazy leftists, which they do because they have no principles."
Or as slimy talk shows hosts and you say: "They have no balls."
If you are such a progressive, stop carrying water for the GOP.
Given the state of play, the GOP, I am sure, is rolling out a strategy of encouraging ultra-left defections from the Democratic Party -- look at the GOP created Green Party Senate candidacy in PA as an example.
For all we know, Starwheel is some intern at the RNC, trolling away.
Bush will be remembered as the singular politician who crushed his own party for the benefit of making sure his ego remained intact.
jvill wrote on September 28, 2007 11:49 AM:Awesome.
And now it's time for the Democrats to stop winning off the trainwreck that is the Republican Party, and to start leading.
Is Webb the only Dem senator who can write bills? I'm encouraged that we've recently seen some signs of life, like the Dems tacking the gay rights legislation on to the Iraqi Moneypit Spending Bill, putting Shrub in a slightly tight spot.
More like that, and better.
What the heck are our strategists even DOING? Get aggressive and proactive, guys. How much more fertile ground do they need than a catastrophically imploding opposition party and the wind of public support at their backs?
