Washington (CNN) – The No. 2 House Democrat predicted Thursday that, if the economy continues to improve, Democrats will win control of the House of Representatives in November.
"I think our chances are reasonably good that we can take back the House, and if the economy continues to perform as it's been performing, I think we will take back the House," House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, told reporters in his Capitol Hill office.
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The Maryland Democrat argued that out of the 76 Congressional districts that House Democrats are focused on this November, "no less than 50 of these districts are really solid opportunities for us."
Democrats need to pick up 25 House seats to regain the majority in the House.
Hoyer cited a divided Republican Party - both in Congress and in the GOP 2012 presidential nominating process - as factors that position Democrats well in the fall election.
More than any other issue Hoyer said the economy will be what voters focus on in November, "If it's better we'll do better, if its worse it will affect us."
But the top-level House Democrat said his party learned a lesson from the last election when voters were unhappy they didn't focus enough on the issue and tossed them out of the majority. This time around he believes Democrats will be helped by the president being at the top of the ticket and traveling the country talking about his efforts to boost the recovery.
While Hoyer acknowledged that the backlash to the health care debate was a liability for Democrats in 2010, he argued that it will actually help the party this fall as seniors see lower drug prices, and younger Americans who aren't employed become eligible for health care coverage.
In addition, Hoyer said the tea party won't play the same role it did in the last election, when it helped elect GOP candidates. He cited his own race two years ago when he faced a tea party-backed candidate, who drew sizeable support because of his (Hoyer's) support of the health care bill. But after a couple of years of GOP control of the House that has seen fights over spending and few legislative accomplishments, the Democratic leader believes those activists may be less energized.
"The tea party is probably saying 'geez this isn't working,'" Hoyer said of Republican control in the House.
As the battle among Republicans for the presidential nomination continues to play out, the House Democratic Whip said the attacks on former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will help Democrats.
"Where Romney I think has been wounded over the last six months I think Obama has been strengthened over the last six months," Hoyer noted.
From CNN Politics
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How right you are Mr Hoyer.
25 seats shouldn't be hard to pick up with the way the teapublican congress has been NON-governing. The only thing they've proposed was invading every Americans bedroom. And they're supposed to be against BIG government?! HA!
the reason the economy is coming back is that nancy and you are not in the majority... you had the white house , senate and the house and you blew it.... get rid of nancy ...she is no help to the democrats or america....
I agree 100%. There is going to be an awful lot of workin class voters pullin nothin but D,s. Most American are SEVERLY fed up with rich people getting richer & the vision of just 2 classes, Rich/ Poor. This great Country can see right thru Romneys Plastic Exterior & the all know he dont give a damn about the Middle class or whats left of it. Go Mr Prz & I am pullin nothin but D,s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One correction: They key factor will be the GOBP deathcult's continued willingness to shoot itself in the foot, to field flaccid candidates for office, to refuse to admit or apologize for their failed policies that damaged America and their refusal to support the millionaire tax favored by three quarters of Americans, including half of Republican voters.
Congressional dems need to get off their butts and help the president.
Oh I certainly hope so. Maybe then our country can move forward in prosperity instead of this incessant gridlock caused by partisan Republicans.
That's weak comment.
The American people were fooled once in the midterm elections with the tea pottiers and the Rep BS but they will not be fooled again. The House, Senate, and Presidency will go Democratic and the country will take great steps toward recovery without the Republicans getting in the way of every bill meant to do just that.
Let's hope so. We need leadership not obstructionism, which all we've had for the last two years.
No way in hellllllll – Steny – shut your big mouth!
It would be nice to have the Democrats win back the House. I am not a Democrat, but it would be good because hopefully the Democrats and a re-elected Obama will get rid of the Bush-era tax cuts that have slowed down the economy. State and local governments need funding to rehire public workers like teachers, firefighters, police officers, nurses, construction workers, and other essential public employees. I wouldn't borrow money to do that. I would close tax loopholes, raise taxes on higher income people, I would cut the corporate tax for companies who want to stay in the U.S. and hire American workers in the areas of manufacturing, technology, and transportation.
@ Cali Girl – Better read up on some democRATic facts: "The federal government recorded its worst monthly deficit in history in February, according to a preliminary report Wednesday from the Congressional Budget Office that said the deficit in fiscal year 2012 is already more than half a trillion dollars.
The CBO’s figures show that despite repeated efforts to trim spending, the government has borrowed 42 cents of every dollar it spent during the first five months of this fiscal year."
Your big spending POTUS needs to GO!!
No thanks vote for presdient obams so he was problems for 3 year
I ask hoyer what about frauad check scam from afrcain amercian
We need super majority n senate 2-60 votes or we will b stuck w over 400 bills stuck n filabuster like they were the first 2 yrs of obamas pres. Get rid of all rep gov 2.
I bought gas today...4.17,,,and this fool talks about an "upswing" is he really that stupid??
and pair the economic up-swing with the numbers of concerned women voters who will be flocking to the polls come November...Democrats will secure control of everything!
Anything is possible IF we all GET OUT AND VOTE.
Your big spending POTUS needs to GO!!
And be replaced with whom? A president in YOUR party who keeps the cost of illegal wars OFF the books, or better still another stupid republican president who blows away a surplus? Take your pick.
Obama all the way.
hope so Steny. The "anything Obama wants, we're against" crowd has to go
We can only hope that the Democrats take control with a large enough majority to overcome GOP obstructionism. Then we can do what is necessary to really fix our economy and that would NOT be more tax cuts for the rich and large corporations along with getting rid of regulations that protect workers and consumers which is all the GOP ever proposes to do as far as the economy is concerned. Not to mention the fact that the GOP proposes plenty of legislation attacking women's healthcare but cannot seem to come through with anything concerning jobs - apparently jobs are not their real priority. I will be voting a straight Democratic ticket - it is the only way to see any positive change.
Unless the 16% of Americans that are unemployed/underemployed decide they can't Hope for a job another 4 years and vote for Republicans instead of Obama. Face it America, Obama has tried and failed even buy his own standards. And all he keeps pulling out of his empty hat are tricks that didn't work the first 3 times he tried them. Enough is enough. Time for a change.
Wire Palladin, S. F. – Congressional dems need to get off their butts and help the president.
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Not sure what you mean. They are doing everything he is asking them to do. They just killed the pipeline. And they've killed every other bill sent to them. At this rate, they are going to have to change their name to the Grim Reaper Party.
The only thing the Gop stands for are the wealthy pac contributors. They are obstructionisrs and will try to buy the election thanks to our bought and paid for supreme court decisions.
As long as the cons and evangelicals keep passin' laws messin' with womens who-ha's the economy could be in depression and gas at $10 a gallon and Pres. Obama will win re-election by a land slide and the dems will get super majoriteis in both houses...