Democrats Plan 'Political Triage'

Party studies polls to pick races it can win

By Emily Rauhala, Newser User

Posted Sep 5, 2010 9:38 AM CDT

(Newser) – Ahead of November's elections, the Democrats are studying poll data and searching for races they can win, finds the New York Times. This system of "political triage" will see party funds pulled from long-shot races and funneled to stronger candidates. Nancy Pelosi also asked candidates in safe districts to pitch in elsewhere. “The day after the election, we do not want to have any regrets,” she wrote in a private letter.

The defensive, race-by-race strategy comes as popular sentiment turns against the Democrats. Though a Republican landslide is still very much a long-shot, they certainly seem to have momentum, the Times notes. “It’s getting better every week,” one Republican told the paper. “Voters will ultimately hold the party in power responsible.” (Click here for the latest on November elections.)

The Democrats are looking for races they can win. (AP Photo/Louie Traub)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

CLICK BELOW TO VOTE

42%

13%

28%

12%

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Gabrielle Giffords Resigns

'I will recover, and will return,' resignation letter promises

(NEWSER) - Gabrielle Giffords was feted by colleagues including Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz today in her last day on the House floor. "Today I know that now is not the time. I have more work to do on my recovery before I can again serve in elected office," wrote Giffords in a resignation letter to John Boehner read aloud by Wasserman Schultz. "Every day I am working hard. I will recover, and will return, and we will work together again, for Arizona and for all Americans." More»

Dem Wu Won't Seek Reelection

Hasn't decided whether to serve out remainder of term after sex allegation

(NEWSER) - Surprise! Mere hours after Nancy Pelosi called for an ethics investigation into a young woman's claim that she had an "unwanted sexual encounter" with tiger-suit-wearing David Wu, the Oregon Democrat is confirming that he won't seek reelection. Wu apparently hasn't decided whether to serve out the remainder of his term, a spokesman tells the AP, and will make that decision based on how effectively he can serve his constituents. More»

Yes, There Are Tea Party Democrats

Not many of them, but they do exist

(NEWSER) - Think "Tea Party" and you'll probably think "Republican"—but it turns out Tea Party Democrats do, in fact, exist. But it's hard to say just how many, and harder still to gauge how much of an impact they have on elections, the Washington Post reports. Polls have put the percentage of Democrats in the Tea Party movement at anywhere from 4% (CNN) to 15% (Gallup); for her part, Michele Bachmann believes it's actually 20%. More»

Dems Wait for Weiner's Wife to Nudge Him Out

Huma Adebin may persuade husband to quit

(NEWSER) - House Democrats didn't take any steps to punish Anthony Weiner after a closed-door caucus meeting yesterday, but more than one lawmaker said they were waiting for his wife to get home and hopefully convince him to step down. Huma Abedin, a top aide to Hillary Clinton, arrived back from a State Department trip last night, and may be prepared to persuade him to step down, reports the Wall Street Journal . More»

House Dems Urge Weiner To Quit

Colleagues bailing on NY rep after tweeted penis shot

(NEWSER) - A growing number of House Democrats are making it clear that they want their Weiner problem to go away. Pennsylvania's Allyson Schwartz, an ally of Nancy Pelosi, was the first to openly call for his resignation, and she was soon followed by others, reports the New York Times . "Having the respect of your constituents is fundamental for a member of Congress,” said Schwartz. "In light of Anthony Weiner’s offensive behavior online, he should resign." More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Democrats Plan 'Political Triage'

Party studies polls to pick races it can win

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Nancy Pelosi • Democrats • House Democrats • party politics • Election 2010 • elections

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Gabrielle Giffords Resigns

'I will recover, and will return,' resignation letter promises

Dem Wu Won't Seek Reelection

Hasn't decided whether to serve out remainder of term after sex allegation

Yes, There Are Tea Party Democrats

Not many of them, but they do exist

Dems Wait for Weiner's Wife to Nudge Him Out

Huma Adebin may persuade husband to quit

House Dems Urge Weiner To Quit

Colleagues bailing on NY rep after tweeted penis shot

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Democrats Plan 'Political Triage'

Party studies polls to pick races it can win

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Nancy Pelosi • Democrats • House Democrats • party politics • Election 2010 • elections

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Gabrielle Giffords Resigns

'I will recover, and will return,' resignation letter promises

Dem Wu Won't Seek Reelection

Hasn't decided whether to serve out remainder of term after sex allegation

Yes, There Are Tea Party Democrats

Not many of them, but they do exist

Dems Wait for Weiner's Wife to Nudge Him Out

Huma Adebin may persuade husband to quit

House Dems Urge Weiner To Quit

Colleagues bailing on NY rep after tweeted penis shot

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?