Democrats

Dead Dems Walking: TPM's List Of Candidates Who've Been Written Off By Their Party

Brian Beutler | November 2, 2010, 7:24AM

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer with other House Democrats

Returns for 435 House elections will start rolling in a few hours from now. Well before they do, though, most Dems had long conceded that more than a handful of races are already lost. With these seats for all intents and purposes off the table before the polls opened, the number of truly contested seats the GOP needs to win control of the House is effectively much smaller than the magic 39.

Assuming the House does change hands, then, the big open question is how big the swing will be. There are scores of seats in play, but the battle lines have already moved past over a dozen House members who, in most cases, have already been written off by their own party.

If you're keeping score tonight, don't hold your breath for any of these Democrats.

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CO-04

GOPer Attacks Wrong 'Markey' In Ad (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 20, 2010, 11:33AM

Rep. Betsy Markey (D-CO), House candidate Cory Gardner (R-CO), Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA)

The campaign of Rep. Betsy Markey (D-CO), a first-term Democrat from a Republican-leaning district, is firing back at her Republican opponent, state Rep. Cory Gardner, for attacking the wrong Markey in a recent ad.

As the ColoradoPols blog reports, a press release from the Markey campaign calls out an ad from Gardner, which accused Congresswoman Markey of voting for a budget -- which she didn't vote for. Indeed, the House roll call votes that are cited, if followed through, show that she voted no.

The truth: There was a Representative Markey who did vote yes -- the more liberal Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA). Betsy Markey spokesman Ben Marter said in the statement: "I would point Rep. Gardner to a site on the 'internet' to research his claims a little better: www.google.com. If Rep. Gardner can't figure out how this whole voting system works, how can he be trusted to actually read bills?"

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2010 elections

Polls Suggest Trouble For Freshmen Democrats In Battleground Districts

Marc Kilstein | October 6, 2010, 1:17PM

Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA)

With midterm elections less than a month away, pollsters are trying to answer the question, "Which party will control Congress next year?" This morning, The Hill took a stab at the answer, releasing a set of twelve polls on battleground House races.

Their conclusion? Democrats have reason to worry.

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2010 elections

Chamber Of Commerce Unloads New Ads Against Dems (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 6, 2010, 11:27AM

Ad from Vote For Business, "FL 8 Grayson"

The Chamber of Commerce has a whole bunch of new ads in key Congressional races, targeting big-name Dems.

One ad goes after freshman Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL), who is known for his vitriolic attacks against Republicans. "Tired of big-mouth politicians ignoring our big problems? Alan Grayson is the most extreme," the announcer says, followed by past video of Grayson famously declaring on the House floor that the Republican health care plan was for sick people to "die quickly," and also the occasion when he crashed a local Republican meeting.

"But when it comes to Nancy Pelosi, big barker Grayson turns into a lapdog."

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Fundraising

First Quarter Fundraising Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | April 5, 2010, 7:06PM

Former Rep. Pat Toomey (R-PA)

Here are some key fundraising numbers from today and this past weekend:

• Former Rep. Pat Toomey (R-PA), who is seeking to oust Republican-turned-Democratic Sen. Arlen Specter, announced that he raised over $2.3 million, and has over $4 million in cash on hand.

• Freshman Rep. Betsy Markey (D-CO), who was one of the eight House Democrats to switch from a no to a yes on the health care bill, raised over $500,000 -- and more than $355,000 of it came in the last two weeks of the quarter, after she'd announced her support for the bill. So clearly, the Dem base rewarded her for rejoining the party fold on this very crucial vote.

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Health Care

Markey Got Threatening Phone Calls Before Vote

Rachel Slajda | March 25, 2010, 10:40AM

Rep. Betsy Markey (D-CO)

Rep. Betsy Markey (D-CO) says she received two threatening phone calls the day before she voted for the health care bill.

Markey announced she would switch from no to yes on Thursday. On Saturday, one of the callers told a staffer, "Better hope I don't run into you in a dark alley with a knife, a club or a gun."

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Democrats

Pelosi Picks Off No Votes -- But Has Yet To Woo Toughest Reps On Health Care

Brian Beutler | March 18, 2010, 6:01PM

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

The past day and a half have gone pretty well for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Yesterday saw a number of in-play Democrats come out in support the final health care reform package, and netted her her first commitment from a member--Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH)--who voted against the House health care bill in November. Today, the Congressional Budget Office gave the legislation a winning score, and she won more commitments, and her second and third converts from no-to-yes: Reps. Bart Gordon (D-TN) and Betsy Markey (D-CO).

But here's the rub: Pelosi still lacks the votes to pass it. Some former supporters of reform continue to say they'll vote against the current legislation. And though many members are coming around, very few of them are in the elusive pool from which Pelosi needs to draw: Members who voted against reform in round one.

And she's running out of easy pick-ups.

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Blue Dogs

Rep. Markey Flips From No To Yes

Rachel Slajda | March 18, 2010, 5:59PM

Rep. Betsy Markey (D-CO)

Rep. Betsy Markey (D-CO), a Blue Dog who voted against the health care bill in November, says she will vote for the new bill.

Markey told The Coloradoan today that she made the decision after seeing the Congressional Budget Office's cost estimates.

"Particularly in the out years there's significantly more deficit reduction and I have to say this is going to be the largest deficit reduction bill that I will ever vote for," Markey said.

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