Further, failing to regain the House this time around is likely to trigger a wave of Democratic retirements, making competitive another bunch of safe seats. Being in the minority is no fun and there are some Democratic veterans who have no intention of hanging around for long on that basis. A swing of just seven seats is needed to overturn the Republicans wafer-thin majority, and Democrats point to the steady erosion of the GOP s margin of control over the last two congressional elections as evidence that momentum was in their favor. And there are plenty of opportunities around to pick up seats, although the GOP has hopes of upsets. The races are tight and the campaigning efforts massive Clinton has scored an election record for a president by headlining 139 congressional fund-raisers.
Predictions just aren t in order.
The majority will be so slim that for all intents and purposes there won t be any control when it comes to legislative initiatives. The majority indeed will have immense power through holding the chairmanships of the committees and thereby shaping their agendas, but the 107th Congress is going to be a dealmaking Congress, where the balance of power rests with moderates in both parties. It is clear that even if the Democrats are victorious in regaining the House, they may find the win is accompanied by a bitter taste especially if they lose the White House. Click here for reprint information. Email this article to a friend.