[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/02/01/art.plouffe.0615.gi.jpg caption ="David Plouffe said Sunday that Democrats can retain both houses of Congress this fall."]Washington (CNN) - The man who engineered President Obama's 2008 victory told CNN on Sunday he thinks Democrats can retain control of both houses of Congress in November.

David Plouffe, now an outside adviser to the president, tossed a quick answer over his shoulder when CNN asked him outside of NBC's Washington studios about the tough climate for Democrats running in the midterms elections.

"I think so," Plouffe said. "We're going to work hard to make sure we do."

When asked how the political climate got so bad for Democrats, Plouffe kept walking but turned to our camera to offer CNN a wave and smile. In an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press", Plouffe said Democrats' success in November will hinge on localizing the races and increasing Democratic turnout.