GOP plays defense in statehouse races

[deadparrot]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Republicans will play defense in this fall's state legislative races to avoid a "tsunami" that could alter the political landscape in statehouses around the country, the head of the GOP's legislative campaign committee said Wednesday.

Democrats, who currently hold a 21-seat advantage among the country's 7,382 state legislative seats, are hoping the national mood and historical trends contribute to legislative gains.

"Some years you play offense, and some years you play defense," said Alex Johnson, executive director of the Republican Legislative Campaign Committee. "And this is a year when we play a bit of defense and hope to steal a few."

Johnson said he is encouraging state lawmakers to focus on local issues, instead of issues that state legislatures have no jurisdiction over, such as the war in Iraq or congressional ethics.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060817/ap_on_el_ge/legislative_races