For House Democrats, a Whiff of Victory

WASHINGTON, May 27 - House Democrats do not usually like to talk about 1994, the year of their exile into the minority. It has been a bad memory, best left undisturbed.

But in a changing political climate, some Democrats are now taking a new look at their least favorite year and finding some heartening parallels with the current one. Democratic leaders say they believe they are poised to reverse the surprise Republican takeover of 1994, particularly if a continuing slip in public support for President Bush puts a breeze at their back.

"If that wind comes," said Representative Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, the House Democratic whip, "we are much, much better positioned than the Republicans were in 1994 to take the seats that we need to take back control."

Mr. Hoyer argues that Democrats have more top candidates than the Republicans did in 1994, and need to gain fewer seats: 12, as against 38. He also says his party's contenders are in a much better financial position than those ascendant Republicans were.

Further, Mr. Hoyer and other Democrats see in public opinion surveys the beginnings of a growing sentiment for change, the very thing that helped do in the Democrats and make Newt Gingrich speaker of the House.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/28/politics/28talk.html?ex=1086321600&en=1e388c2bc6207e29&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE

I'm going to enjoy the right-wing crying and catterwalling very, very much...

In 1996 the government shutdown and Medicare cuts was supposed to put us over the top...and we picked up only 9 house seats and lost 1 in the Senate.

In 1998 we got lucky, but not lucky enough, breaking even in the Senate and gaining 5 House seats because of a limited backlash over the Lewisnsky scandal.

In 2000, that was supposed to be the year, but we gained only one seat (later lost due to the death of Rep. Norman Sisisky (D-VA) when he seat went Republican). Democrats lost a few races by razor thin margins.

In 2002, Democrats had no spine and despite the fact that presidents almost always lose seats in midterm elections we lost 5 seats and the Senate.

Sorry, but I'll believe it when I see it.

we picked one up in the Kentucky special election and it looks as though Stephanie Herseth will win one for us in South Dakota...so prospects look good so far.

and she's up 11 points over the opponent as of yesterday. i've been sending donations to her for awhile. although i'm in n.c., i realize we must take back congress. go stephanie! :bounce:

BBV election fraud. I'm sure of it.

but if you are, none of the elections are going to count until anti-BBV crowds riot in the streets.

<""If that wind comes," said Representative Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, the House Democratic whip">>

Now who in the world is this guy?
Where has he been hiding,
under a rock until it's over?
Or have I been missing something here?