Can Dems retake the House in 2006? Allocate the bulk of resources here?

[Muddy Waters Guitar]

In November of 2006 I think we have our best chance in decades to make big Democratic gains in the statehouses, state legislatures as well as in Congress. The question for Congress, and for the races in general, is how to best apportion our resources. I think we can gain ground in the Senate, but I don't think we can retake it yet-- there are not enough competitive seats in play.

But the House of Representatives? That would be a major coup. Although all 435 seats are up for grabs, of course, only a fraction of these are actually competitive due to Republican redistricting thuggery (especially the brownshirts who pulled off their palace coup in Texas). Nevertheless, a surprising number of House districts are showing frustration with their Republican representatives, and I think this may actually be a place where the Dems could score a major victory.

For anyone here on the DU boards with a more inside scoop-- do you think we have a realistic shot at winning back the House in 2006? I think that there are enough Republican screw-ups inspiring popular anger-- the plans to gut assistance for the elderly and the poor, the continuing fiasco in Iraq, this disastrously stupid nuclear deal with India that Bush is supporting-- that we could tap into a wellspring of resentment. Should be focusing our war chest on House races, at least the most competitive ones on the current electoral map?

[AX10]

1. After looking at the numbers and anaylisis...

I have come to this conclusion. The Democrats WILL make signifigant gains this Fall, no question.
How much? That remains to be seen.

(Current) (Possible Gains, Fall 2006)
House: 203 D 210-240 D
Senate: 45 D 47-53 D
Governorships: 22 D 26-29 D
State Legislatures: 50% D 52%-58% D

[ClassWarrior]

2. Remember 16+5=2006...

In other words, all we need is 16 House seats and five in the Senate to gain the majority. We can EASILY do better than that.

NGU.

[MissWaverly]

3. Go for broke

I think we should stress both Senate and House, we must have a voice in both,
as anyone can see the Republicans perform no oversight of Bushco at all, unless
America starts frothing at the mouth like the port deal. It's pathetic. It doesn't
matter what the 9-11 commission says, the DSM minutes, the Katrina report, business
as usual, blah, blah, blah

[lilly_j]

4. A blogger is trying to organize regular Americans to run

435 Patriots to run on a common platform
Impeach Bush and Cheney
Repeal the Patriot act
Universal Health care
Make war unprofitable
http://benfrank.net/patriots/

Why are we qualified to be US Representatives? Because we are not lifetime politicians.

It is the career politicians that have proven they are spineless (or complicit) in the face of shameless corruption.