GOP jittery on House, Senate
2006-10-11
Source: New York Daily News
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rss feedThe once-slim odds of Democrats pulling off a sweep of both the House and Senate have improved significantly a month before the midterm elections.
"If Election Day were tomorrow, [Republican] control of both houses would be in jeopardy," said Brian Nienaber, a GOP pollster with the Tarrance Group.
Three weeks ago, the Senate was a long shot at best for the Democrats. Prospects were slightly better in the House. But a bevy of bad news, including a still-escalating scandal over ex-Rep. Mark Foley's e-mail dalliance with a male page, could turn Nov. 7 into a GOP disaster, prognosticators now say.
A USA Today/Gallup Poll released yesterday gave Democrats a huge 23-point edge when voters were asked whom they would vote for in their local House contest. Strategists from both parties contend the GOP has not only lost some "values" voters over Foley but also has irked fiscal conservatives with a budget-busting spending spree.
"I'm a lot more concerned today than I was four weeks ago. We're defending the morality mantle, and that's something I did not think we would have to do," said Republican pollster Kellyanne Conway, referring to the GOP's traditional strength on social issues.
At the moment, moreover, Democratic voters appear far more energized. "This is basically a turnout-driven election year and the Republicans aren't coming. Why should they?" added Democratic pollster Doug Schoen.
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