Washington (CNN) - A top House Republican boasted Thursday that Republicans are already positioned to take control of the House, and argued the Democrats' political position will only worsen as Election Day approaches.
California Republican Congressman Kevin McCarthy, the top recruiter of GOP candidates and chief Republican Whip in the House, told reporters on a conference there are "more than enough seats" to win, and added, "I think the map is getting bigger by the day."
McCarthy, who has traveled to more than 50 districts so far during the August recess, said the economy and the President's poll numbers are dragging down Democrats' chances of keeping their majority. On President Obama, the GOP leader predicted, "I think his approval rating will be even lower" by November and said the overall size of the political playing field will expand as a result.
McCarthy said over 80 House seats are now in play, noting that is more than twice the number Republicans need to take the majority. Ticking through many of the competitive races across the country, McCarthy predicted even more seats currently leaning Democratic –like Rep David Wu's in Oregon and Rep Carolyn McCarthy's in New York - will begin shifting toward the Republican column.
McCarthy maintained there is a "panic mode inside the Democratic party from the Democrats themselves" and said party leaders would soon have to make tough choices about which candidates deserved resources and who would be cut off.
He pointed to Florida Blue Dog Democrat Allen Boyd, who narrowly held off a primary challenger on Tuesday, as someone who is "pretty much in essence gone." The California Republican also said that GOP fundraising is on the up tick - closing what was a 6-1 money gap between Democrats and Republicans to closer to 2 -1.
Another top House Republican, GOP Conference Chairman Mike Pence of Pennsylvania, touted the more than 500 events he said Republicans have held so far over the recess in a call with reporters Thursday. He and other Republicans point out that the intensity of voters is driven by economic anxiety.
"Everywhere I go its about jobs and spending, it's about the fact that economic policies of this administration have failed and the American people are looking for a new approach that will bring certainty," Pence said.
Democrats dismissed GOP assessments about the midterms, arguing it was just a case of Republicans prematurely "measuring the drapes" before Election Day.
Ryan Rudominer, spokesman for the House Democratic campaign arm, shot back, "In Kevin McCarthy-land every seat in Congress is in play." He said that some of the so-called "Young Gun" candidates who were hand picked by McCarthy and other GOP leaders are not as strong as they are billed to be. One example is David Rivera, the Republican candidate who just won his primary for an open seat in South Florida.
Rivera has denied allegations made by his political opponents about domestic violence – an allegation Rivera says stems from a case of mistaken identity – and he has had to answer questions about his involvement in a traffic incident with postal truck carrying campaign literature in 2002.
"With all the bluster and all the promises the NRCC has made, the bottom line is that they now face some tough decisions about which of their seriously flawed candidates with anemic fundraising have disqualified themselves as viable candidates and have to be abandoned," Rudominer said.
On Friday, Democratic Campaign Chairman Chris Van Hollen will lay out the Democratic fall plan of attack at a press conference, including a major grassroots push planned for this Saturday. House Democrats are shooting for their supporters knock on over 200,000 doors nationwide.
While Republicans repeat the mantra that the ailing economy will drive voters to make the midterms a "change" election, they remain vague about any detailed proposals they will unveil this fall to turn the jobs picture around.
McCarthy, who has been heading up an online listening project for Republicans to draft their policy agenda, will only say that will include a "fundamental government reform package" and will come out sometime next month. Both McCarthy and Pence pointed to the economic speech by House Republican Leader John Boehner on Tuesday as an indication of what types of policies they will espouse in the final weeks before the election. But beyond calling for the resignations of top Obama economic advisors, Boehner's speech gave little in the way of specific proposals.
Follow Deirdre Walsh on Twitter - @deirdrewalshcnn
From CNN Politics
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I fear their predictions are correct. We over promised and under delivered. Now we have Joe Biden continuing the "Summer Recovery tour". We squandered our opportunity.
So, what's in it for the average American?? Nada as they say in California.
These politicians are in it ONLY for themselves. WTH cares?
Okay Republicans, then what? Don't expect a honeymoon after a win, Americans expect solutions with results.
Aerosmith wrote the perfect song for you tea-tards – it's called "Dream On".......................
I wouldn't start measuring the drapes just yet. The republicans have some real loons out there – there will be debates, and the truth about the candidates positions are going to be heard. One would have to start to think that electing nutjobs like Angle won't hurt, but elect a couple of those cranks and this country – particularly the middle/working class could be in for real trouble. They're trying to backtrack on the privitize social security and eliminate medicare for a voucher system – but that's what they're endorsing, and it could really hurt the working class. It's not a game folks, this is our future, do your research and vote intelligently – not with your emotions, but with your brain.
It is indeed a sad comment on today's America that many will listen and follow these lying [R] blowhards, even with all the problems the country continues to face as a direct result of the previous run of FAILED [R] political power.
You would need to be genetically deficient to actually want to vote [R] failure back into office. There is no other explantion for the sheer stupidity of it.
Yeah, and they thought they were going to win the White House and Senate too.
Fortunately, most Americans realize that the Republicans have had nothing to offer for the past 2 years other than hatred and whining, so why would we expect them to do anything more constructive if they were to win more seats. They seem to only offer the same old policies that have been proven to be miserable failures for the middle class Americans. Tax cuts for the rich to create jobs, well where were they? Deregulation to create competition and lower prices. Well, what prices are you paying for energy, cable, banking, healthcare and all the industries that were deregulated? The American people understand that the ONLY beneficiaries of the past decade were the millionaires who are now billionaires. They want to keep it that way and are willing to say and do anything to make it happen.
If the GOP wins, then we're all in the front seat of going to hell in a handbasket.
Eight years of the RWNJ nonsense wasn't enough? Do the American people not remember the lies? The destruction of the civil rights? The ignoring of the Constitution? The alienation of our allies? The invasion of a country we weren't at war with? This happened once before in 1930's Germany - please tell me that the American people aren't going down that road because there are NO good intentions that way.
There is a reason for the old saying, "don't count your chickens until they hatch". Things change very quickly in the political world.
Well the month of August is a month of dreams. Glenn Beck is already having a nightmare. Dream on!
It's easier for the republicans.
Look at the altnerative DUMocRAT plan
Increase Deficit Check
Increase Taxes Check
Amnesty for Illegals Check
Increase Spending Check
Yeah, that's a tough choice.
Imam Obama and his cohorts of Radicals are in for an extremely rude awakening come November. Day by day, job loss by job loss, it has become apparent to the majority of Americans that the Radical Liberals in Congress as well as the Imam and Chief are complete failures and an embarrassment to this once great country. Time to send the congressional Dems to the unemployment line and make Clueless and Chief the quickest Lame Duck President in history. Good Job Libs. You guys are even more pathetic than I originally thought. LOL
While I think and hope that the GOP will take the House, it is way too early to e making boastful comments. The Republicans have minimized their own chances at a majority in the Senate by nominating extreme candidates. Boasting about an easy victory could lead to less voter turn-out and thus to the continued dominance of the Dems. I do not remember 1948, but I remember old timers telling me that Republicans were over confident, and thus celebrated rather than voted. Thus we never had President Dewey.
Keep wishing on a star republicans. as I keep laughing.
The remarks on financing moving from 6-1 to 2-1 isn't shedding light on the whole picture. It was what just one month ago that Republicans blocked the campaign finance bill which imposed new limitations of public funding. So now big bussiness can pour in as much money as they want. With that said and the numbers given...doesn't that in fact prove Republicans are in the pocket of big bussiness?
"But beyond calling for the resignations of top Obama economic advisors, Boehner's speech gave little in the way of specific proposals."
Nor will there be any, because they can't conceive of anything other than deregulation and lower taxes. That is their weakness. Let's smash 'em.
I don't care who's in power!!!! just do your job, shut up and stop asking me for money...then maybe i'll vote for you so you can WORK for ME again.
Too bad many of you liberals don't realize that the DEm congress and Clinton led the way for our current financial situation. It wasn't the Republicans who forced fannie and freddie to give loans for houses to people who could not afford to pay them back and it wasn't the Republicans who repealed the Glass-Steagall Act that allowed financial instutitions get in over their heads and need to get bailed out, it was Clinton. Do some research before you blame the Republicans for everything. You might learn something worthwhile.
No sane American voter would allow the wingnuts to run congress. Keep believing your own hype, Republicans. The far right wing lunatics have taken over your party. The Teabaggers are nothing new; they are stricktly Republicans full of racial hatred, and homophobic views.
Those people who believe that we cannot go back to the policies that got us in this mess in the first place better make sure they go out and vote for the Democrats. What the Bush/Cheney administration did during those 8 long years cannot be undone in less than 2 years. Give Obama a chance. He's doing all he can considering the Republicans are blocking everything he tries to do.
I tend to stay middle right. I agree with most conservative values. But I'm somewhat skeptical of the Republicans. I still wonder if they understand where they went wrong?
They went to the left with the spending. There was nothing conservative about the Bush administration. And this new administration has taken on the whole left wing agenda.
The cost of living has gone up, and wages stayed the same, or jobs have gone away.
talipublicans will get their CRAP beaten in november, anyone voting for these criminals is just that.....
Blowing their usual hot air. They boast, brag, lie, distort and they can depend on CNN to headline whatever they say. Am getting so sick of the bias, negativity of the media.
They have done nothing for the last 19 months but obstruct everything, trying for further destruction of our country. As their voting records prove, they do not want any improvements, could care less about us and our country. They do not give the American people credit for our ability to think, sort out their propaganda and realize they almost destroyed our country, for which they have taken no responsibility or made any efforts for our survival.
"I think his approval rating will be even lower" was said by this MORON about President Obama!!!
You know what??? If the polls go any LOWER then the country will know that ONLY RepubliCAN'Ts are getting POLLED and NO ONE of Color or others in certain ZIP CODES are involved!!!
This is hilarious. People are going to vote republican because of the economy? The economy??? You have to be kidding me. They are the ones that got us into this mess in the first place. Now that we are making actual progress, people are going to put the people whose policies failed back in there? I really hope the American people are smarter than that.
They said they would win the presidency too. Baghdad Bob had more credibility than these clowns.
Republicans will not control the House or the Senate this fall. In FL the Repukes nominated Rick Scott. He spent $50 milllion of his own money to buy the nomination and he will continue his free spending ways in order to buy the Governor's mansion. But he will fail and the Dems will win the Governnorship. He's an incompetent nutjob that oversaw the largest healthcare fraud tha resulted in a $1.7 billion fine. As long as the Repukes continue to let the radical right wing run the party and continue to nominate people that bring the crazy to the party they will not prevail in November or 2012.
You know what they say about "Counting your chickens before they hatch." I hope this is true in this case.
I fear they may be right. I dread the day that Repugnant Republican's take over again. It makes me sick to think about it. I realize that President Obama promised too much, but the Repub's did the same thing when they were in power, except that their promises led to the rich getting richer and everyone else getting poorer and their policies led to the economic disaster we are now in.
Yeah... And Turdblossom predicted big wins, too. How'd THAT turn out?
The republicans might make gains, if I were to vote red, it would have to be for a moderate representatives. Hard core conservatives and liberals are a freak-show. A moderate on both sides wins my ear.
3 months is a lifetime in politics, so it's definately hard to call anything yet, plus the Republicans are having a mild identity crisis this year, with the very right wing side pushing through candidates that very well may be hard to sell to middle America. People like to believe that everyone agrees with them, that the other side wins because of hijinks and fraud, but the fact is, people win by gaining the middle ground. For all we know the Obama administration could make a huge gaff that makes these predictions true, but Boehner could make just as big a gaff, and when it comes to saying things that anger moderates, the Tea Party seems like the most likely to make such a blunder.
I will fully admit that the republicans have the momentum on there side, but this momentum is based on the anger of a number of people who's views are very out of the mainstream, and it only takes a couple of high profile gaffs on the right to re-energize the currently apathetic left. Right now the smart money is on some republican gain, but odds change every day.
It's the economy STUPID.
The simple truth is independents have rejected the big government, out of control spending, massive defict and fiscally irresponsible agenda of Obama, Pelosi and Reid. Independent voters will team with Republicans to restore the House and perhaps the Senate to Republicans to block the Obama agenda. And from there the hope is one of the two parties will demonstrate they are listening to the American people. So far that leans towards the Republicans who have been voting no on all the big bills that the Democrats have been writing and voting yes on but a majority of Americans don't want. Don't look for Obama to move to the right and listen to the American people. He hates America as it is and wants to transfrom into his socialist utopia. He pretended to be a centerist in 2008 to win. He is far far from one in reality. His shot is over and he will make a fool of himself between now and 2012 electon.
Yeah, yeah, keep counting seats...ignorance is bliss.
Has anyone noticed in the comments here on CNN that there are a lot of self-identified "former republicans". I have not seen a single comment from a "former democrat".
I wouldn't get to settled in on thinking you're going to take over. When people say they think congress is broken, they are talking about the GOP who has voted no on every bill that would help Americans. The GOP of course thinks it's aimed at the democrats, but they are in for a big big November surprise, something the polls are not picking up because they are asking the wrong questions.
Vote NO in NOvember to the party of NO.
Sounds like you DEMs on this site are a little scared. Can't wait until November!!!
So's Joe Biden and pretty much everybody else (Republican, Democrat and Independent) that I hear about or know of...
Let's face it.
There will be 'easy' chairs and 'though' chairs to be achieved in November. Is it possible that the Republicans gain more chairs than they will lose? Perfectly possible. So it's the same for the Dems.
Yawn. Mike Tyson talked smack before he got knocked out by Buster Douglas too.
Many years ago there was a general consensus that France was an ungovernable country due to its pernicious political infighting ;
Today ,me thinks, we are in a position to say the very same about the Divided States of America.
Republicans will make gains in November, but Republican victories will not solve our economic problems.
Unfortunately, each party is right about some things and wrong about others.
Republicans' greatest asset is capitalism. President Obama's greatest weakness is his conviction that very socialistic methods will solve economic problems, and keep him in office as well.
I don't think that productivity, and then jobs, can result from the President's economic daydreams.
Republican leadership in The House and The Senate will be the best thing that can happen for Americans and our country. Irresponsible politicking is all Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi have delivered. They obviously didn't care about Americans or our future.
Why in the name of all that is holy would anyone dream that voting Republican would help anything? Have we not learned from our past mistakes?
Gee, it's easy to see why the President's approval is low when the GOP spreads lies about him being a muslim from kenya! If Americans knew the truth the president and the democrats would only gain come november....I guess we will see if ignorance will prevail.
Dream on, but the morrons in the tea party and their similar in the republican party think we have forgotten what got us in this mess in the first place: Republicans opened the treasury to the war industry and their accomplices in the banking and wall street.
Then when the going got though, they ran to china and india.
Now we know that not everyone who has a ribbon on their car "support the troops" is a nationalist.
Money has not suddenly disapeared from the economy. The rich (Most of them GOP) have pulled the plug when they lost power .
They knew they would lose power when they elected a Bush and cheney to the white house.
AND>>>>>> What has the GOP done lately??...Obstruct!!.....nice platform.......let's see give the folks who made this mess the chance to do it again......we should be dipped in s- if that happens
It's pretty amazing what authoritarian lying hate speech can accomplish with so many billionaires willing to fund it, with one television station willing to broadcast it 247/365, and with a Supreme Court willing to give the wealthiest amongst us the only voice in politics.
Unless Democrats fight fire with fire, we're poised to become the next Nazi dictatorship.
Never will the smart, informed AMERICANS fall for that damn "R" trickery again!!!!
They've squandered away enough of our time, money and life for the last 2 years.
NO MORE KEYS OR DRAPES FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Conservative economics are not a Democratic platform. That's a big reason why the economy is what it is. Bush acted like a fiscal democrat. Obama is at least ten x worse. Americans know we need to change course and fast!!!
LOL. I don't think so. Who has the lowest polling numbers? GOP. There ya go.
God help this country should the Republicanhs regain the Houses of Congress. Their policy of do-nothing for the country will shine ever brighter.
Take care of those at the very top of ther food chain while screw8ng over those in the middle and bottom.
Please, don't let the foxes back in the hen house.
The GOP is overplaying its hand (again)...it's all about the party's focus on power, not the service.
No thanks.
Facts, what the Democrats have done for America:
Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Unemployment Benefits, Minimum Wage, Civil Rights, SCHIP and in 2009 Healthcare for Americans who need it, Wall Street & Banking Reform, Lowered Income Taxes for Working & Middle Income.
What have the Republicans done for America?
Started wars, tortured, lied about the reason to attack Iraq; given America the likes of Joe McCarthy, Richard Nixon, Bush i & II; De-regulated banking and Wall Street which helped implode the Economy in 2008 and we are still in the mess they created. Two wars costing America........$6......... billion a month. Cut back on educational spending; spied on Americans using the Patriot Act., etc., etc., How about spent the last year and a half complaining and obstructing? That's leadership?
In NOvember vote NO for the Party of NO!
I believe Oedipus bragged like that, before he found out he had married his own mother. Of course, if he had been a Republican, he would have therefore called himself a family values candidate, and if the people of Thebes had then pelted him with rotten eggs, he would have said he received a standing ovation.
Democrats are starting to run as independents and calling out pelosi, reid and nobummer in their re-election bids. Now these clowns were let off the hook from voting for the health care deformity and the stimulus but would have if pelosi had needed them. These so called independent demorats need to be tossed out also.MA-HOLE, if you really are that dense check yourself into a mental health ward.
I would not be surprised, considering the IQ level of the voters of this country.
Republicans predict huge gains in November. Republicans also predict Jesus is returning to save them. I reckon the odds are about even.
What the GOP doesn't want you to see, is how many Dems voted in the primaries, completely out numbering them. This is false, and overstated.
As an independent, I'd like to see the Republicans take the house and senate this fall because then the pressure will be on them to deliver for the American people. You have to remember that they and right-wing conservatives were already attacking Obama's policies soon after his inauguration. If the GOP sweeps this fall they"ll have about 2 years to turn things around before the 2012 elections. I'll be very curious to know what will be their plans for the country and what segment of the American population will benefit or suffer from what they do. If they fail, I don't want to hear the same excuses from them that they accused the Obama administration of using. Deliver or pay the consequence of losing in 2012.
The truth of the matter is that these republicans do not care about what is right for America. All they care about is power. Hoping that the president's approval rating go down means that the country is not doing well. Translation, we hope everything he does to help this country fails, so that we can come back to power again. That has been their only objective. They ran this economy to the ditch and they have the nerve to blame the president for what is going on in this country. What is truly sad is that people are following this fools blindly. People makes the argument that when O took office the unemployment was 8% and now it is his fault that the unemployment is 9.5. The only mistake Obama team did is under estimate the magnitude to the problem. If the president and the democrats did not take the actions they took, we will be in a deep depression. For those of you that argues that the free market systen will have taken care of itself they not have a clue. You need an airbag to minimize the impact of an accident, therefore increase the likelyhood of surviving and that my friends is the stimulus. Without it, might not have survive the impact. I cannot not say for certain, but is something that I did not want to find out.
Deregulatition and tax cuts and spending cuts will cut off money flowing through the central government which disperse money thoughout the system supplying states with their fist respond programs teachers etc. On the other hand companies will be free to make money. Instead of paying americans 20 to 30 dollars hourly they could go to china and pay that same money for the day and rake in millions. Business is about bottom line money! They give a hoot about patriotism all americans aint fools fox news
News flash! The majority will likely vote Democrat, why? Because we are not fools. The Republicans have been spouting their disdain since they lost the election, we hated it then and we dispise it now. So, yes, the republicans are whining loudly, the sore losers. We who are happy are just sitting back watching them make fools of themselves.
We are not that stupid to fall for their anti-american, greedy, selfish ways. Not once do you hear the republicans talk about taking a pay cut, and you won't. I would rather my tax money be spent on helping others, than the republicans helping themselves!
Yeah, Ok jerkoff if thats what you and the Republicans need to keep telling yourselves to get you through the night............Whatever........I guess we'll just have to wait and see in November won't we? Hope you'll be just as eager to claim the title of WHIG PARTY of the 21st. century after the votes are tallied and you discover that your little fantasy didn't quite work out the way you thought it would because the Democrats just handed you a blistering defeat of historic proportions. Bring on November!!!!!!
I served in the Armed Forces for 7 years,honorably. I supported and respected each Commander and Chief regardless of politic party. I understand individuals wanting to win seats or office. What is happening before us makes me sick to my stomach. The Tea party,Republican Congress,and some religious leaders are leading Americans astray. What happened to, we shall not be moved?Our military was assigned to strike back at the knuckle heads who attacked the trade centers,in return we have almost dismantle their forces,over thrown a country and government,now we are attacking religion. What's next WW3? Talk shows and groups are already brainwashing the weak minded to carryout their dirty work. Make me wonder,are those aliens buzzin about, or our mutated great-grt-grt-grt-grt-grt-grt-grt-grt-grt-grt-grt-grt-grt-grt-grt-grt-grt-grt-grt-grt grandchildren trying to prevent us from doing something uneventful.
The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Thursday shows that 27% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as president. Forty-four percent (44%) Strongly Disapprove, giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -17
Gee I wonder why CNN...as of Nov. the dems will be out of power and as of 2012 the guy pretending to be president will be gone also!
They agaist wall street reform .they would rather see the big 3 collapse and throw millions out of wrk.we cannot afford this party in power!
They are right. Democrats ran on a platform of change, and made promise after promise that they have just not kept. They continue to this day to blame Bush for everything, while forcing job killing agendas, doing nothing to stop illegal immigration, sponsoring government takeovers of industry and ramming through unconstitutional legislation that would require every American to buy a commercial product called health insurance, and all the while giving handout after handout at the expense of those of us who work. God help them come November. Time to give Republicans some power back, if nothing else, to neuter the Democratic power base so they don't have the power to ram through whatever laws and policies they please anymore.
if true it'll mean complete deadlock. Republicans will believe their NO stance on everything works and absolutely nothing will get done.
Considering how bad off the economy is now, I think the only recourse voters have is to vote out as many incumbants as possible. Democrats wasted their 6 months of complete control of the House and Senate on rewarding DNC donors ( "Stimulus") and passing a healthcare bill that even themselves admit will not hold down cost-thus, we're in for higher unemployment, higher taxes and lower quality of life: that is, if we allow Democrats to control the House & Senate after Nov. 2
Everyone is wondering where are the jobs? We may have to use our skills we have now to create them. The future is right around the corner. Let's get this election out of the way. Taslar or what ever that new auto manufacturer name is. Also the gentleman that flew the all solar plane has proved that good things are at hand. Hold on change is coming!
Yeah right! Go ahead Dream on Republican,You'll be crying after the election day!
My mama always told me "NEVER COUNT YOUR CHICKENS BEFORE THEY HATCH". The party of no, nada, nothing continues to insult the American taxpayers' intelligence. Stay awake America, we are not idiots; however, I wished I could say the same thing for the republicans.
We as Americans are so stupid it baffles me. I cant believe people want to actually give these idiots control again.
Look if those clowns think they are going to win. There are nuts they don't care about blacks want to deport latino hate muslims and love the rich! So if we as american,s vote for the party that care about us! a president who care. We would show does clowns who run this country!please my brothers and sister all walks of life do not be fool by all the lie,s don't give up and let's show these clowns we the people run america
I guess, if you keep repeating the same nonsense over and over and over, you might get someone to believe it. I for one, will do my utmost to prevent the Republican dream (Nightmare to the rest of us), from coming true.
The vitriol of the Democrat commentators here just REEKS of fear. It's nice to know that they really don't have a clue about the revolution that is coming in November. They don't realize that the Republicans HAVEN"T BEEN ABLE TO BLOCK A SINGLE DEMOCRAT INITIATIVE. Democrat members control BOTH HOUSES. If the Democrat members can't get their act together, perhaps their plans really are NOT in the best interest of the nation, but merely a Liberal-Socialist power grab.
To ANY Democrat voter: Please look at the economic charts. Please notice that, Until MID 2007, we had a historically LOW unemployment rate. What happened in 2007, you might ask? THE DEMOCRAT party took control of Congress. Imagine that, Elections DO have consequences, and the poor choice by the voters in 2006 was that the Democrat members CRASHED the economy. It was a bad choice that the American people WILL fix in just a few short months.