GOP: We'll take back the House
By: Mike Allen and Jim VandeHei
January 14, 2010 05:00 AM EST
http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=2A7660B7-18FE-70B2-A84B0ACFC1AE2F44

GOP leaders have privately settled on a strategy to win back the House by putting the vast majority of their money and energy into attacking Democrats — and turning this election into a national referendum on the party in power.

House Minority Whip Eric Cantor of Virginia, one of 10 leaders who attended a strategy session in Annapolis, Md., this week, said the party will attack Democrats relentlessly for the stimulus, health care and cap-and-trade bills. Internally, Republicans call it the “80-20 strategy,” which, loosely interpreted, means spending 80 percent of the time whacking Democrats and the remainder talking up their own ideas.

Cantor said he is more confident than ever this gives Republicans an authentic chance of netting the 40 seats they need, especially after reviewing data provided by five GOP pollsters during the leadership retreat. It showed what other public surveys reveal: widespread unease with Democratic policies.

Cantor conceded that the public is far from thrilled with the GOP — in fact, the party’s image is worse than the Democrats’ — but he argues that Republicans will benefit most from the public loathing of Washington. “I don’t think that we Republicans can even remember what it feels like to have wind at our back,” Cantor said. “We can win back the majority.”

Is this really possible? Independent analysts say it’s doubtful — but not implausible, for the very reasons Cantor cites. More likely, Republicans will trim a big chunk of the majority, perhaps by two dozen or more, but fall short of the 40-seat pickup they’d need to reclaim the majority, those analysts say.

My opinion/for what it is worth!
I wish they would pass a law that senator/representatives could only serve eight years, just like the president.
get those old codgers out of there, that are so corrupt/both sides..

well many congressmen and senators over the years have tryed term limit legislation, but it never worked, just like they usually vote themselves a raise, fairly easy, lots are rich, but congressmen and senators, dont make monster money, alot of money yes, but they have to keep expensive housing in washington and their house back home, some are rich already, some are not, just as the president does not make that much compared to say pro ball players, i would imagine the retired president makes more than the one in office, i forgot what clinton was making on his speeches but they all do it and write books when they get out, plus the gov, retirement and money for a office, and staff, and secret service, i guess for life,

I read on msn that the new party taking over the republican party is called the tea party.they say the republican party is so corrupt that the public ,and their own party(voters) have disowned them~
true but they get lots of perks and kickbacks from like insurance companies~

gypsy wrote:I read on msn that the new party taking over the republican party is called the tea party.they say the republican party is so corrupt that the public ,and their own party(voters) have disowned them~
true but they get lots of perks and kickbacks from like insurance companies~

I meant to add true on not big money, but they get many perks~

Only the ignorant and desperate will believe the GOP is sinking...totally laughable obviously wishful thinking for the desperate Dems..

The Dems are a party to be very proud of bribes are rising to the top of the cream..Louisiana purchase ( 300 million to buy landreau vote, Nelsons and nebraska are exempt from medicade payments from the state funds, and now comes the biggest of all 40% tax break for unions for 5 years...which by the way is causing a 60 Billion gap in the health care plan...Hmmmmmmm wonder who Obama will tax to make up for the desperate Dems deals...Stay tuned more bribes and shady deals will surface soon as the vote nears, Mass. election will be one to watch as it is a close race with the Repubs predicted to win, wonder if the Dems will try to push the healthcare vote up before they lose their 60th vote....

of course, like your party the failed republicans they are suffering, maybe the tea party will take over:)

my words, i only copied the first part of this, to read it all just go there, ssc asked will the dems push up the vote , , sure, and i read mass. will delay as long as possible the election final results and make it official if the repbublican wins, . but here is my post which even with the earthquake this one was headlines over all other topics.. we all know this and has been discussed some, but its back in he headlines,


Health Bill Can Pass Senate With 51 Votes, Van Hollen Says

By Jonathan D. Salant
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aPg2UfFaCh9c&pos=9

Jan. 16 (Bloomberg) -- Even if Democrats lose the Jan. 19 special election to pick a new Massachusetts senator, Congress may still pass a health-care overhaul by using a process called reconciliation, a top House Democrat said.

That procedure requires 51 votes rather than the 60 needed to prevent Republicans from blocking votes on President Barack Obama’s top legislative priorities. That supermajority is at risk as the Massachusetts race has tightened.

“Even before Massachusetts and that race was on the radar screen, we prepared for the process of using reconciliation,” said Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

“Getting health-care reform passed is important,” Van Hollen said in an interview on Bloomberg Television’s “Political Capital with Al Hunt,” airing this weekend. “Reconciliation is an option.”

Using reconciliation would likely force Democrats to scale back their health-care plans. The procedure is designed to make deficit-cutting easier by reducing the number of votes needed to pass unpopular tax increases and spending cuts. Lawmakers can’t include policy changes that the parliamentarian deems have only an “incidental” connection to budget-cutting, and senators would need 60 votes to override those rulings.

I like! hope health reform passes/and made law I also hope Obama Succeeds in all good for America/and the world

If the Democrats lose the Massachusetts Senate race, it would take about 15 days to certify the results, state election officials say. That might give Congress time to pass the bill if it hurries.

They are looking at Feb 4th as a date to push after the Mass. vote..But with this buy out of the unions it has now started another mess. The special favors the Dems are giving out are about to bite them in the ass..60 billion is a big gap to cover, not to mention middle class will carry the bulk of the taxes to cover this sweet deal..