Democrats Plan Political Triage to Retain House

[babsbunny]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/us/politics/05dems.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss&src=ig


By JEFF ZELENY and CARL HULSE
Published: September 4, 2010

WASHINGTON — As Democrats brace for a November wave that threatens their control of the House, party leaders are preparing a brutal triage of their own members in hopes of saving enough seats to keep a slim grip on the majority.


In the next two weeks, Democratic leaders will review new polls and other data that show whether vulnerable incumbents have a path to victory. If not, the party is poised to redirect money to concentrate on trying to protect up to two dozen lawmakers who appear to be in the strongest position to fend off their challengers.

“We are going to have to win these races one by one,” said Representative Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, conceding that the party would ultimately cut loose members who had not gained ground.

[rug]

1. Wasn't that the method in HCR?

[KharmaTrain]

2. I'd Like To See A List Of Endangered Democrats...

We hear that the walls are crumbling down, but where? Which seats are most vulnerable? I did a bit of poking around at several poll sites the other day and finding specific polling numbers on most districts are either old or incomplete. So, if there are 40 seats that seem lost, where are they?

[Cirque du So-What]

3. Seems like a bass-ackwards strategy to me

Why not divert resources away from those candidates whose elections are most definitely assured to those in greatest need of assistance?

[HughMoran]

4. Whatever it takes

Speaker Boner? :puke:

[NuttyFluffers]

5. *sigh* an abandonment of 50 state strategy and back to losing tactics...

i've seen this song and dance before...

[HooptieWagon]

6. Yep. And I'll bet it's progressives that get cut loose, and DLCers get the money. nt

[GrantDem]

7. This is just dumbfounding... Headshakingly so...

They are abandoning the strategy that won majorities in the first place. When will they learn.