DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen paid a visit to DNC headquarters to tell reporters that despite early losses, he still thinks Democrats can keep the House.
“Those were the [seats] who were expected to be called,” he said of the first returns.
When a reporter from a different outlet told him that her network had already called a GOP takeover of the House, a visibly flustered Van Hollen insisted repeatedly “I think that’s a mistake.”
(All three cable networks have called the House for the GOP.)
“It’s way too, early. I think that’s a mistake. I think that what you’re seeing right now is that voters are continuing to the polls…. I think it’s a mistake. I mean New York hasn’t even closed yet.”
Confronted about losses in Virginia, Van Hollen cautioned that Rep. Joe Donnelly (D) is still up in Indiana’s second congressional district.
He spoke for just over two minutes before being whisked away by an aide. He would not comment on his own leadership aspirations after tonight’s election is behind him.
Brian Beutler
Brian Beutler is TPM's senior congressional reporter. Since 2009, he's led coverage of health care reform, Wall Street reform, taxes, the GOP budget, the government shutdown fight, and the debt limit fight. He can be reached at brian@talkingpointsmemo.com.
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