Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) Chairman Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) was at a fundraising breakfast in Washington D.C. last week, and he suggested some good news for those on the left: The disastrous GOP government shutdown is putting at least three new districts in play.
A source who attended said that yes indeed, the inspiration was the Republican lunacy to shut the federal government down. However, Dems needs to win 17 seats, and midterm elections don't exactly bring out Democratic voters. It's also when the party in the White House traditionally loses, not wins, seats.
The head of the House Democratic campaign committee says the government shutdown has significantly boosted his recruitment efforts. [...]
And now they’re calling us and can’t wait to run against this reckless Republican Congress," Israel told the gathering of the DCCC's Chairman Council.
Democrats are understandably motivated by the "GOP's jaw-dropping, "horrifying" poll numbers: "That's the end of the world! That's terrible!" enough to step into the ring. Don't get too giddy, though, this isn't a slam dunk. But still, it's a glimmer of hope where there was none.
Israel mentioned Nebraska's 2nd District, Washington's 8th District, and New Jersey's 2nd District.
During the breakfast, Israel outlined polling that's inspired Democratic recruits in some of these districts, including the 8-point lead Democrats hold in a generic ballot test in the newest Wall Street Journal poll, and the 9-point lead the party holds in the most recent Quinnipiac survey.
To make this dream come true, two things are necessary: Donations and getting out the vote. If you do neither, then you can kiss that glimmer good bye.
More details at the link.
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