Baltimore Sun: Van Hollen aims to ‘beat history’
In today's Baltimore Sun, DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen outlines the opportunities and challenges we face in this historic election year:
"We obviously have a big challenge to defend 30 new members while still going on offense. But the big story is that we are on offense," he added. "We are confident that we will beat history - we will win seats - but I don't want to put a number on it."
One reason for his confidence is that Mr. Van Hollen and his House colleagues have benefited from a spate or Republican retirements. The GOP will be defending a whopping 29 open seats this November. Plus, the returns from three special elections thus far this year - including one in the seat formerly held by Ms. Pelosi's predecessor, Republican Speaker Dennis Hastert - are encouraging. The Democrats won all three.[..]
"You've seen a total reversal in the fortunes of the DCCC and the Republicans," said Mr. Van Hollen, referring to the National Republican Congressional Committee, his partisan counterpart headed by Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole. "A big part of that is a result of new emphasis on grass-roots fundraising."
