Obama Admits Democrats Could Lose House Majority

I have some excellent news in this bleary economic news environment: Obama's chief spokesman says Dems could lose House majority.

President Barack Obama's party could lose its House majority in this fall's elections, his spokesman said Sunday, perhaps trying to jolt Democratic voters with the specter of GOP lawmakers rolling back White House policies.

"I think there's no doubt there are enough seats in play that could cause Republicans to gain control. There's no doubt about that," press secretary Robert Gibbs told NBC's "Meet the Press."

Democrats now hold a 255-178 edge in the House, with two vacancies in the 435-member chamber. Anywhere from 40 to perhaps 60 House seats could be competitive by the fall. Republicans would need to take back about 40 seats to slip into the majority, placing the current GOP leader, Ohio Rep. John Boehner, in line to replace Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., as speaker.

Gibbs said retaining House control would depend on strong campaigns by Democrats. "I think we have to take the issues to them," he said, adding that the primary argument would be how Republicans would govern as the majority party.

His remarks could be intended to light a fire under Democrats who are dispirited after about 18 months of Obama's presidency and motivate them to work hard to maintain their majorities in both the House and Senate. The party in power typically loses seats in the first midterm elections under a president, and Democrats are defending a slew of districts they picked up in 2006 and 2008.

The White House also could be working to lower expectations in case Democrats do lose the House majority.

I am not sure what angle the president is playing but I suspect both lowering expectations while hoping to light a fire with Democrats.

However, if any fire is lit, it will be for energized Republican to get out the vote and stop the Obama administration insanity.

Last week I placed mental odds of about 60-40 the Republican take the House based on economic conditions that in my estimation are clearly getting worse and will stay that way for some time.

Regardless, here is the really good news ....

Whether or not Republicans take control of the House, Democrats are guaranteed to lose enough seats in the House and Senate to make the administration's socialist policies dead on arrival in the next Congress.

Mike "Mish" Shedlock
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com
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