Democratic strategy to take back the House?

[kentuck]

I think we would all be wise to remember what Governor Howard Dean did as Chairman of the Party? He did not give up on any races, anywhere. And Democrats won big.

The general consensus is that Republicans cannot be beaten since they gerrymandered their districts in 2010? We should not accept that "consensus". In those congressional districts where Repubs have a good size majority, there are a lot of people who did not vote or who do not vote. Those are the voters the Democrats need to go after.

Democrats need 18 wins to take back the House. If they focused on 54 Republican seats, with registration drives and GOTV, they could win one third of those 54 seats. That would be 18 seats and control of the House. Now the question should be, what 54 seats do we focus upon??

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

1. You are right kentuck, but the larger issue is that DU and other liberal-minded people must

come to terms with the fact that the 50 State Strategy will yield moderate and conservative Democrats. We have to accept the fact that not all Democrats are as liberal as we are. And while I'm very lucky to live in a very progressive district in a fairly progressive state, other Democrats aren't so lucky. So day in and day out we complain about Blue Dogs on this forum, but the fact is that a 50 State Strategy gave us those conservadems.

[kentuck]

2. I would agree.

Some of those might be more "conservative" than I would like but we cannot continue with the present Republicans in charge.

I do believe that a strong Speaker can bend them toward a working majority once they are in power.

For example, in Kentucky, it is very difficult to win if you are not pro-NRA or if you are perceived to be against the coal industry. Just a fact.

But in traditional Democratic states like Wisconsin or Minnesota, we should be able to challenge the Republican incumbents, I would think?

18 seats. That is all we need.

[Lasher]

3. I admire your enthusiasm.

But it's not gonna happen. We will lose the Senate and Republicans will gain in the House.

[forestpath]

4. I agree. And I truly think that's what Obama wants.

He seems to like working with Republicans way better than Democrats.