Pelosi on midterms: 'We're fighting for every seat'
Washington (CNN) – Even as her Republican counterpart continues to openly discuss replacing her, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says House Democrats are not yielding any ground when it comes to November’s midterm elections.
“The Democrats will retain the majority in the House of Representatives,” Pelosi says in an interview set to air Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union.
Pelosi adds, “I'm not yielding one grain of sand, we're fighting for every seat.”
The California Democrat told CNN Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley that in campaigning for November’s elections Democrats need to be aggressive in explaining to the public everything the party has done.
“So Democrats are ready. We're confident of that - what we have done for the American people. We have to get out there. We've been working hard, now we have to go out. We said we were going to do certain things, we did them. Now we have to go talk about what we have done.”
With the populist anger rising over the last year about the $700 billion Wall Street bailout, an $862 billion stimulus bill that Republicans say failed to deliver the promised job creation, and Democrats’ ambitious plans for comprehensive health care reform legislation, many political observers believe Democrats will face a tough environment in the upcoming midterms later this year.
House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, has not been shy about his hopes for the midterms. Twice in roughly the last week, the leading House Republican has discussed how the chamber might operate differently if he is in charge as the next speaker.
Follow Martina Stewart on Twitter: @MMStewartCNN
I think those predicting a landslide GOP victory are premature. The American public is angry at BOTH parties, but they are also desperate for the economic crisis to end. A lot can happen in 6 months (consider where we were 6 months ago), so feelings could change dramatically in that time.
Of course, with the restrictions on corporate campaigning removed by the Supreme Court, it is hard to imagine how many millions or even billions will be spent by lobbyists the fall...
Scott from Houston February 28th, 2010 11:42 am ET -kind of funny that you say the "republican won't give an inch" when, if you go back and watch/listen to the debate you'll see that the democrats wouldn't even let the republicans get a word in regarding the current bills that were passed last year. Who were the obstructionists in the debate last week? Concensus says DEMOCRATS!
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When you don't have a plan...there isn't much to say other than the usual scare tactics. Can anyone tell us other then just letting people die and the government ALREADY paying for poor people to go to the emergency room, just what is the Republican plan for health care reform? My guess is you are going to need less time than the GOP had at the health care summit. A simple 'no' will do. That and scare tactics are what we expect to hear from the GOP on this topic.
Actually this is not a health care for all bill. It is a mandatory health care insurance bill for all.
This is all a game! Why not just take care of the uninsured, torte reform, insurance across state lines, and precondition cancellation.
Better yet – let the states look after their own health care. One size fits all doesn't work nor does National Universal Health Care.
I come from Canada, and I couldn't get an appointment with my cardiologist of choice when I needed him. Consequently, the Dr. I went to ordered tests I did not need, and put me on drugs I did not need. I did not cancel my appointment with my Dr. of choice and six miserable months later when I saw him – he said the tests and my current meds were unecessary. My heart wasn't the problem! 🙁
Well if you keep pushing for reconciliation and bills most Americans don't want, you will merely be shadow boxing and not fighting! In shadow boxing you're not hitting anybody or anything but air AND you're NOT getting hit! Same will be true for the Dems come November with one execption, you WILL get hit...hard and often!
Johnny K February 28th, 2010 10:14 am ET
All the Republicans care is about power and getting reelected.....
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Pelosi said the libs/dems are going to fight for all seats. Why are the libs/Dems fighting for seats? Could it be they care about POWER and getting RE ELECTED??? The hypocrisy here is ...usual and no surprise!