DNC CHAIR tells ABC's Christiane Amanpour that Dems will Not Lose 2010 Elections! /Repaste

[KoKo]

VIDEO INTERVIEW HERE AT THIS SITE:

http://abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/top-democrat-party-lose-house/story?id=11958017

Top Democrat Says His Party Will Not Lose the House
DNC Chair Tim Kaine Says Country Trending in Democratic Direction
By JOSHUA MILLER
October 24, 2010

Does Tim Kaine, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, know something all the pundits, pollsters and political prognosticators don't?
The DNC chairman sits down with ABC News' Christiane Amanpour on "This Week."

In a bold prediction – either a sign he is wiser than the conventional wisdom, eternally optimistic, or staying on message until the bitter end – Kaine told "This Week" anchor Christiane Amanpour that Democrats would maintain control of the House in the midterm elections nine days from now.

Amanpour asked him the political question of the year: does he think Democrats will keep the House of Representatives in their control?

"I do, I do. I think it's going to be close," he said. "These races are very close, but from this point forward, it's all about turnout and ground game. And we're seeing good early voting trends and we've got work to do, but we think we can do it."

So is all the polling wrong, Amanpour asked. Kaine didn't address that question, but said the wind was at Democrats' backs.

"The polling is moving," he said. "We really haven't seen since Labor Day polls moving against us. Almost all the polls have been moving for us. Now we still have work to do, but what Democrats tend to specialize in is the ground game – the turnout – and the more people turn out, the better we do."

Kaine, who was the governor of Virginia between 2006 and 2010, insisted that Nancy Pelosi would remain Speaker of the House. "She's done a marvelous job, in a town where it's hard to do heavy lifts," he said. "I think she'll stay as speaker."

But, he added, "we're not taking a single race for granted."

more at:
http://abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/top-democrat-party-lose-house/story?id=11958017

[babylonsister]

1. I'm mystified at the point of this; what else was he supposed to say? nt

[Davis_X_Machina]

2. Something about...

....Dawn Johnsen, IRV, and the public option.

[babylonsister]

4. RE: the November elections? How many constituents of anyone

actually knew who Dawn Johnsen even is, for starters?

[Davis_X_Machina]

6. Duh. All the real progressives..

..the base, the people who really matter, do.

This is why you'll never sit at the table with the cool kids.

Remember, politics isn't actually about policy -- it's about self-expression, and social signaling.

[babylonsister]

7. Duh? Do you think Kaine was talking 'to' progressives? Duh-not. nt

[Recovered Repug]

14. Star of the TV series "Miami Vice". Right?

[babylonsister]

18. Haha! Not really, but thanks for making my point. nt

[phasma ex machina]

5. +1

[sabrina 1]

10. Wouldn't it be a real 'change' if politicians started telling the truth?

Just about everyone honest conceded that Democrats would lose the House, that's what happens when you alienate those who normally are the workers who get out the vote.

An honest answer like 'yes, it doesn't look good for some races and we may very well lose the House. However, while we were not very attentive to the needs of those who got us elected last time and we fully understand their disappointment and I know this will be difficult for them to believe, but IF we win, we have learned something from that. So, I'm asking those who are disillusioned to give us another chance and go out and support Democrats. I do however think we will hold the Senate.' would have been nice.

What harm would it have done to tell the truth? Lying sure didn't help, it rarely does. Try truth for a change, we haven't tried it for a long time and it just might work.

[grahamhgreen]

27. It's not a matter of what he should have said, it's a matter of alienating the base by

pushing policy positions that are Republican, such as more war, cutting taxes on the wealthy and mandatory crapsurance.

[vi5]

3. Not for nothing...what should he have said?

I think he was a horrid, absolutely atrocious DNC chair. I have no love or loyalty towards the guy. But isn't it pretty much par for the course to have to say this no matter how far behind you are? I remember Terry McCaullife (sp?) saying the same thing during other elections where Dems lost big.

What point would have been served by him going "HOLY FUCK CHRISTIANE WE'RE GOING TO GET OUR ASSES KICKED BY A BUNCH OF LUNATICS!!! RUN FOR THE HILLS!!!!"

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. Not was, still is

He's staying on as chair.

[vi5]

9. I know. I was thinking....

in terms of the specific election we were talking about. The "was" in that it's over and he "was" a poor DNC chair leading up to that election.

I'm very sure that he'll continue to be a horrible DNC chair.

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. My Tim Kaine story

He is from here. Grew up not far from where I now live. Not sure how he ended up in Virginia, but he's a Kansas boy. His mom still lives here and is active in the local Dem party. In 08 we had a great candidate running against Pat Roberts and I was a volunteer on his campaign. We started in the spring contacting Kaine, asking him to please come home and do a fundraiser for our candidate. No response. His mom offered to contact him. No response. He never did agree to the fundraiser.

I haven't had any time for him since.

[KoKo]

15. +1 for personal anecdote..

[vi5]

22. It doesn't surprise me.

He seems like a typical beltway insider whose perception of things is what he sees on cable news. The total opposite of what Dean was, which is so frustrating.

[KamaAina]

12. Tell me again why he's still employed?

Ironically, it's the chair of the victorious party, the Man of Steele, who's on the hot seat. :eyes:

[KoKo]

16. Yes...it is bizarre. Google "Tim Kaine's Accomplishments as DNC Chair."

See what comes up...seriously...

[Freddie Stubbs]

25. Because he has the support of President Obama

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

13. Yup. And, Custer had those derned Sioux surrounded.

[MannyGoldstein]

17. Another recent video that made me somewhat more confident:

Can't tell if it's Kaine or Geithner:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDAmPIq29ro

[MadBadger]

19. I remember when Gibbs suggested we could lose Congress...he was killed here

Damned if you do, damned if you dont I guess.

[Overseas]

20. Sad K&R. //nt

[eridani]

21. He pretty much had to say it. However--

--his tenure so far has been a major FAIL.

[Major Hogwash]

23. Yeah, losing 63 seats in the House was "close".

But close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

What a maroon.

[robcon]

24. If I were DNC chair I would have said something similar.

Giving up in October would have been abandonment of the job of DNC chair.

[Freddie Stubbs]

26. Would it have been wiser to predict that Democrats were going to lose?