Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Charlie Cook: Now With Free Hemlock!

Election expert Charlie Cook sees no reason for Republican optimism. He shifts a whole bunch of races further toward the Democrats. And districts that seemed safe just 2-3 weeks ago, he now rates as tossups:

With the election just eight days away, there are no signs that this wave is abating. Barring a dramatic event, we are looking at the prospect of GOP losses in the House of at least 20 to 35 seats, possibly more, and at least four in the Senate, with five or six most likely.

New tossups in the House include Hayworth, Pombo, Musgrave, Ryun, Gutknecht, Bass, Schmidt, and Cubin.

His latest poll has the generic Congressional ballot showing a gobsmacking 26 percent Democratic edge among likely voters.

If Cook turns out to be right, Democrats will clearly establish a working majority in the House, and will generally be able to avoid being held hostage by any particular constituency or caucus (Black Caucus, Blue Dogs, New Democrats, Hispanic Caucus, etc).

Back to the top.

No comments: