(Washington, DC) – In a press conference with the House Leadership today, House Democratic Caucus Vice Chair James E. Clyburn said Democrats are poised to regain control of the House after the November elections.
"Over the last three months, we have seen some dramatic polling of American people that indicates Democrats outpoll Republicans in Congressional races by as much as 19%," Congressman Clyburn said. "You will note we've won three special elections in North Carolina, Kentuckyand South Dakotathis year, and the Democratic bench is very deep going into November."
Democrats have 33 top tier candidates and only need to pick up 11 seats to regain the House, creating a ratio of 3 candidates for every one seat needed. When the Republicans took control of Congress in 1994, their ratio was 1.8 candidates for each seat they picked up.
A Los Angeles Times poll conducted in July 1994 showed generic Democratic candidates edging out Republican counterparts 44% to 42%. A June 2004 Los Angeles Times poll indicated Democratic candidates leading Republicans by a decisive 54% to 35% margin.
The growing support for Democratic candidates also is evident in fundraising trends. Last month, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee raised $2.2 million more than the National Republican Congressional Committee.
"There is definitely a wave of change brewing," Congressman Clyburn concluded. "In 1994 the Republican Revolution wasn't suppose to happen either, but it did. Today the time is right for another change in leadership and change in direction."
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