Washington Post: The Fix 50 (plus 15): Democratic House majority in deep peril

The rapid expansion of the House playing field coupled with Republicans' surprising financial competitiveness and an election nationalized around the economy and spending have turned what always looked to be a tough election for Democrats into an extremely perilous one.

With political handicappers rating more than 90 Democratic-held seats as competitive even as the generic congressional ballot continues to favor Republicans, the chances of the GOP gaining the 39 seats it needs to win back the majority are high.
Friday Line

Most political prognosticators are predicting gains well in excess of 39 seats; Stu Rothenberg, editor of the Rothenberg Political Report, updated his prediction last night to a 55-65 seat gain for Republicans with 70 or more seats possible. Charlie Cook, editor of the Cook Political Report, is in similar territory -- predicting a net Democratic loss of between 48-60 "with higher losses possible".

Those predictions come as Democrats seem to be in triage mode -- spending money on people like Rep. Chris Murphy (Conn.) and Ron Klein (Fla.) and Gary Peters (Mich.) seemingly in hopes of limiting a blowout loss nationally rather than holding the majority.

In an attempt to best capture the expanding playing field, we have expanded the Fix 50 -- our rankings of the top 50 races likely to switch on Tuesday -- to the Fix 65. The first 15 races on the Line are certain switchers and, as such, need no analysis. The next 50, however, will be where the extent of Republican gains will be made clear on Tuesday night.

As always, the number one ranked race is considered the most likely to flip party control. Kudos? Critiques? The comment section awaits!

To the Line!

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27. Alabama's 2nd district (D): In a race where each of the national party committees has spent upward of a million dollars, Rep. Bobby Bright (D) appears to be losing ground to Montgomery Councilor Martha Roby (R). (Previous ranking: 37)

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