Democrats see opportunity to win back House

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0603/p01s01-uspo.html

Special-election wins put Democrats within 11 seats, but still facing big hurdles.

By Gail Russell Chaddock | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

WASHINGTON – A win in South Dakota's closely watched special election this week brings Democrats within 11 seats of taking back the House - far fewer than insurgent Republicans needed to wrest it from them a decade ago.

For a minority eager to get back control of the House they dominated for 39 years, Tuesday's victory is a sign that the political tides may be shifting back in their favor.

But, even the most partisan insiders concede, the advantage for incumbents on Capitol Hill is now so formidable that it will take a tsunami to get over the top - and many more candidates like Stephanie Herseth.

Bright, energetic, and deeply rooted in South Dakota's political scene back two generations, Ms. Herseth looked like a winner even when she lost her 2002 bid for the seat to that state's governor, Republican William Janklow. After Representative Janklow resigned in January, following a conviction for manslaughter, she vaulted to virtual incumbent, with a double-digit lead in the polls.

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[freetobegay]

1. Hopefully we will see a tidal wave in November!

[Claire Beth]

2. Yeah, that would be great! n/t

[dusty64]

3. Its now or never, this CAN

be done. Hopefully once it is serious reform can begin re: redistricting, reredistricting, gerrymandering, etc. The House was meant to represent the People, NOT this extremist and corporate abomination that it has become. I think the Democrats can do it, lets just hope things change when they do and they remember the lessons of the past. P.S. What ever happened to all those investigations of bugman delay?

[section321]

4. Oh that would be so sweet.

If they do I hope they shove the repugs faces in it. Just like DeLay and company have been doing to them.