Someone on DU earlier posted this NYT...

[lonehalf]

analysis of the house election.

If I calculate right - math isn't my strong point (someone help me on this).

If the "Safe" and "Leaning" go the way they are documented then the Republicans wold need only five of the sixteen "Tossups".

Dems 189-17-11=217
Reps 119-21-5=218

I think we can do it - what say you?

[SteppingRazor]

1. I'm pretty convinced we can take the House....

many of the so-called "tossups" are really Democratic leans, IMHO

[movonne]

3. Not according to cheney and bush....probably banking on diebold..

[SteppingRazor]

4. Do you really think Cheney and Bush...

would concede that the House is at risk, regardless of Diebold?

Why would they? Why would any politician admit the possibility of defeat? It just isn't done. I certainly can't recall any politician saying anything close to, "There's a pretty good chance we might lose. The polls don't look good. But, hey, vote for me!"

[patrice]

2. Everyone must DO as much as s/he can. n/t

[ACK]

5. Thnx much I think we can do it but...

We have to remain absolutely focused on the goal.

Republicans out there are saying no way but we can take the house. The pundit allies of the administration and the GOP have already begun the spin of low expectations. All they have to do is keep the Senate and they can go on an aircraft carrier of Bill O'Reilly's choosing and declare victory!! But if we make gains in both houses and still do not win at least one house of Congress they will go ape-shit nuts and declare it a true mandate from the people. This is the set-up and the fix is in. Why?

Due to re-districting there are not really that many competitive seats even with the public mood the way it is. And we have a tendency to mysteriously lose every close race we get into. Diebold and a tin foil hat for your trouble? Yeah got mine right here.

So, lets not spend too much time patting ourselves on the back. We have to get out there and make the margins too wide to steal. We can do it. But its not going to be easy and its not a forgone conclusion by any measure at all.