Republicans Target 70 House Democrats for 2010

The email sent from an NRCC staffer to Republican PACs says that "we have the opportunity to focus on many more districts and some unusual districts that haven't been targeted in a long time." The email with the list of targeted districts appears at the bottom of this page.

Currently the GOP has 178 seats, so the party would need to win 40 more to regain the majority, but Republicans see the momentum moving in their direction. "Many Democrats are on the defense in their districts now," said the NRCC's eCampaign Director, John Randall. Speaking metaphorically, he said, "Our goal is to get as many seaworthy boats in the water, so, if a great wind comes along, we will have the push to cross the finish line."

The list of 70 districts includes many freshman and sophomore members, as well as a large number from conservative districts, where polls show low support for government handling of the economic recession and health care reform.

"Excessive government spending, cap and trade, rising unemployment and now this terrifying socialized health care plan are the issues facing Democrats at town halls back home this August recess," Randall said.

While all districts are affected by health care reform, GOP strategists are especially targeting members where polls show most voter discontent, including Arkansas Reps. Marion Berry, Mike Ross and Vic Snyder; Rep. Bobby Bright of Alabama and Rep. Travis Childers of Mississippi.

Furthermore, several members are from coal dominated areas, where it will be even more difficult to defend their votes on Cap and Trade. "The Pelosi puppets carried her water on Cap and Trade and are suffering the consequences back home," Randall said. Republican strategists say that Reps. Harry Teague (NM), Rick Boucher (VA), Zack Space and John Boccieri (OH), Frank Kratovil (MD) and Betsy Markey (CO) are particularly vulnerable on this issue.

With the health care reform bills still up in the air, Randall asked, "How many of these Democrats in conservative districts will take another tough vote and vote for government run health care?"

Historical precedent is on the side of House Republicans to pick up seats in 2010. Generally in mid-term elections, the president's opposing party picks up more seats on Capitol Hill, as happened in the sweeps of 1994 and 1982.

The NRCC has already named 13 favorites – called "On the Radar" -- which it will support in their campaigns to win in these 70 Democrat districts. The House GOP chooses which candidates it backs based on their abilities to build an effective campaign structure and demonstrate strong fundraising.

Republicans have noticed a significant difference in this year's recruiting of candidates – as average citizens, not politicians, are stepping up and asking for help to run for office. "There are people proactively coming to us. We are doing far less recruiting and more catching," is how the NRCC described the current political situation in the email.

Randall said that one possible candidate (who wants to remain anonymous for now) told him, "I don't want to run for Congress. But I feel an obligation to my grandchildren to run to stop what the Democrats have done with spending us into huge deficits and forcing us to go give up our own doctors."

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