DCCC HAS 10-1 FUNDING ADVANTAGE, BETTER CANDIDATES, STRONGER STANDING IN THE POLLS. The Washington Post, in a very odd article on the congressional outlook for 2008, neglects to mention until the 23rd paragraph that the DCCC has ten times as much cash on hand as the RNCC. Ten times! The rest of the article is also a bit baffling. For instance:
But lawmakers, pollsters and Congress watchers say it is not clear whether the Democrats have convinced the public that they can do the job an angry electorate handed them in November -- or whether, once again, all incumbents will be vulnerable next year, regardless of party.
Again? In 2006 the Democrats didn't lose a single seat. There was anger at Republicans, not incumbents. The piece does have some juicy bits though:
Privately, however, Republican campaign strategists remain downbeat. One strategist with close ties to House Republicans agreed that the political environment probably will brighten for his party next year, but by then, it might be too late -- the malaise has severely dampened fundraising and hurt candidate recruitment.
It also details how both committees are going negative early in an attempt to break down strong targets. Traditionally, wave elections like 2006 are not followed by further gains, but the last few years have upended a lot of political conventional wisdom. Republicans remain unpopular and the rolling catastrophe that is the Republican presidential primary suggests that the eventual GOP nominee won't help congressional Republicans very much...
--Sam Boyd
