Decapitation Strategy: Republicans Eye Democratic Leaders in 2010.

[denem]

"Republicans are targeting seats that they haven't pursued in decades, including seats held by Democratic leaders whose approval ratings are plunging according to polls." (Boxer, Dodd, Lincoln, Reid)

RNC, I mean FOXNEWS!

Republicans would have to pick up 40 seats in the House to regain control and 21 in the Senate. While that remains unlikely, Republicans are targeting seats that they haven't pursued in decades. That includes seats held by .

If Republicans can land knockout blows on these leaders, it would shake up the Democrats' landscape and galvanize their party after two consecutive dispiriting electoral defeats.

Isaac T. Wood and Larry J. Sabato of the University of Virgina's Center for Politics predicted that Republicans will gain between 20 and 30 seats in all 435 House races and noted the GOP has been "drawing rave reviews for its candidate recruitment, fielding A-list challengers against many of the most endangered Democratic incumbents."

On the Senate side, the biggest targets for Republicans are Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, Barbara Boxer of California, Blanche Lincoln of Nebraska. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/17/republicans-eye-democratic-leaders-midterm-elections/

Minor errors: "defending GOP seats that haven't been targeted in decades"; and
"Republicans in congress whose approval ratings are plunging according to Respectable polls.

[Pab Sungenis]

1. If they took out Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi

it would bite them in the ass because it would make the Democrats STRONGER.

[Canuckistanian]

15. Blanche Lincoln, too

They would be only knocking off the right wing of the Democratic party.

It would be like the Democrats going after Olympia Snowe.

[iceman66]

17. We SHOULD go after Snowe, and Collins too.

I don't know why we don't.

[Cha]

2. Of course the Vultures are eyeing any

way they can survive..anyway except coming up with a plan other than LIE, SMEAR, ATTACK..rinse & Repeat.

[tblue]

3. Barbara Boxer? I don't think so. Agree with above comment about Harry Reid. He's a net negative.

I want a Senate Majority LEADER!

[DJ13]

4. They should rethink that strategy

Removing a very accommodating to Republicans Democratic leadership would only weaken their party.

[hurricanesfan27]

5. fat chance.

They have no chance against Pelosi and less than 50-50 against Reid. If the economy turns around and the unemployment starts to go down by summer of next year theyll be lucky to get any seats but the Dems MUST get a health reform plan signed into law preferably with a public option. If they cant do that then November is going to be a very ugly month reminding us of the nightmare in 94

[Laelth]

12. Welcome to DU.

I both agree and disagree with your analysis. I agree that there's very little chance that the Republicans will regain control of either house of Congress in 2010. I say this because the political climate is really very different now than it was in 1994. In 1994, the Republican Party's approval ratings were not in the toilet. The ghost of Ronald Reagan was much more powerful then. Whereas Clinton followed Bush I, Obama follows one of the least popular politicians in American history, Bush II. Clinton was elected with less than 50% of the popular vote. Obama was elected with well over 50% of the popular vote. The religious right had not completely taken over the Republican Party then. Now, Republican politicians are generally insane, reflecting their rabid base.

I think Obama blew his first chance at health care reform by pushing for a weak plan. I think he should table the idea, for now, and push for single payer in 2011. The current system is unsustainable, and everyone knows it. Change will come. Let's not settle for a bailout of the insurance industry. Let's insist on the eradication of it.

I expect the Democratic Party will pick up 3 seats in the Senate and between 3-6 seats in the House UNLESS Congress passes a disastrous "insurance reform" bill. At this point, I would rather do nothing than to pass any of the bills under consideration in Congress.

:dem:

-Laelth

[Libertas1776]

6. What leaders?

Oh woe is us, what will we ever do without Harry Reid? We'll be lost in the desert for 40 years :sarcasm:

[Sebastian Doyle]

7. No way in Hell do they get Boxer's seat

Dodd's a banking & insurance whore, but probably slightly better than whatever puke would run against him.

As for Reid or Lincoln..... what difference does it make if they're there or not? Seriously.

[Arkana]

8. Big deal--they might get Reid but they're dreaming if they think

they'll get Nancy.

And taking out Reid is HARDLY going to weaken Senate Democrats. It'll be an excuse for us to put someone up as SML who doesn't have a spine made of Jello.

[AllentownJake]

9. Musical Chairs

With the exception of Dodd and Boxxer. Dodd is in some serious trouble. Boxxer I think will win by double digits.

This appears to be the trend the past 20 years. There are safe republican areas and safe democratic areas with some swing districts. The moderates in both parties play musical chairs in the swing districts. Which is kind of ironic, their moderation and preventing a policy from swinging one way or the other is the very thing that ensures their own defeat when people think the party in power isn't doing enough.

[IRemember]

10. Oh, nooo!!!!!!

They are targeting Reid and Lincoln. What ever shall we do!!!!

:eyes: Get rid of both of them. They are worthless.

[demosincebirth]

11. Boxer is safe in Ca. Has a 14 point lead here.

[gratuitous]

14. No! They can beat Boxer!

Sink lots and lots of money into California, GOP. You can do it! Besides, advertising in California is C-H-E-A-P! Lots of bang for your bucks. Plunge! Go Big, don't go home!

[Capn Sunshine]

18. That's right!

It's worth it, RNC!

By the way in my speechifying to democratic groups I always cite Barbara Boxer. Ran as an unabashed, proud liberal. No apologies, no backpedaling.

And she received MORE POPULAR VOTES THAN ANY SENATE CANDIDATE IN HISTORY and in the top ten of politicians in US History. So much for "running to the middle"

:woohoo: :applause: Barbara

[Gman2]

13. Reid and Pelosi are efficient functionaries. When they have dem pres.

They SUCK on rye, when they are minority. So, we must throw ourselves on any grenade sent theri way.

[opihimoimoi]

16. Typical BULLY BEHAVIOR...they target and destroy through Denigration/Divide/Conquer Card

They did this awhile back with the Cranston Group...he being the sole survivor outta 6 Democrats Focused on...

[Ardent15]

19. Reid and Lincoln might as well be replaced by Republicans.

They are pretty useless.

[madokie]

20. I'd like to have some of what they're smoking

we dems will gain seats in both houses this coming election. Most everyone can see what the hell is going on and not too many are very happy with the way the party of knuckle draggers, Grayson's words, have be behaving. We'll gain seats now lose any.