Top House Democrats, sensing an opportunity to pick up additional seats in 2008, are warning some of their more "vulnerable" incumbents that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Commitee won't spend money in their districts unless Republican leaders do. Despite very poor public approval ratings for Congress, House Democrats are increasingly confident they can make solid gains next fall, and they are willing to take some risks to do it. Democrats scored some big wins in Tuesday's State elections in Kentucky, Virginia and elsewhere, further boosting the optimism among party leaders and strategists that they can repeat their 2006 Party gains. The DCCC Chairman, Representative Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, and the Democratic Caucus Chairman, Representative Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, Have been putting out that message in a series of recent meetings with members of the "frontline" group that helps reelect "vulnerable" House Democrats, according to staffers who have been attending the meetings. With a huge cash advantage over the Republican Congressional Committee, Van Hollen and Emanuel are cautioning their colleagues that the DCCC wants to have money to put into 40 challenger races next year...... and if these vulnerable Democrats are not facing serious races or any effort by the National Republican Congressional Committee to unseat them, the DCCC will spend their resources elsewhere. The "strategy" between the Democrats and Republicans is who "blinks" first. If one does not spend the money the other won't. Is this some sort of "gentleman's agreement". With campaign spending by both parties a source of ridicule by many, it appears that both groups have attempted and succeeded in completing an "end around" with the voters. The voters are typically the losers when the Party Bosses decide for the voters what is best for them. In other words any incumbent who is not facing a serious challenge, be they Democrat or Republican, they are on their own. Maybe if some resourceful candidate uses the internet as a "financial tool" (look at Ron Paul) he or she may be able to capture a Congressional seat! The voters have a unique opportunity to throw sand in the faces of these groups, by voting for anyone that would be a refreshing change to the less than acceptable "performance" Congress has achieved of late. Comments, opinions.................
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