Posted on 10/22/2008 3:09:11 AM PDT by Born Conservative
James Pindell, the managing editor of Politicker.com and its 15 state political news sites, says 12-term Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski has “lost his image” and will lose to Republican challenger Lou Barletta in the 11th Congressional District race.
Pindell said Kanjorski’s defeat will go against the national tide. He predicted Democrats will pick up more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate to give them a majority in both houses of Congress.
“We are seeing a large Democratic wave that will leave Paul Kanjorski behind,” Pindell said. “Dogged down in controversy, this race has become entirely about him and not about voting simply for a Democrat in a big Democratic year. I have been watching this race all year and have considered it one of the most competitive House races in the country. But it is becoming increasingly clear that while Democrats continue to unload money on this race, it is not moving the numbers.”
With two weeks until the general election, Pindell says Democrats are set to pick up seven seats in the Senate and 16 in the House.
“The economy, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush combine to push several Senate and House races that were toss-ups last week into the Democratic column,” Pindell said in his analysis. “While the Democrats will control the White House and both houses of Congress, they will not be able to secure the 60 Senate seats they need for a filibuster-proof majority.”
Barletta took the news cautiously, saying the campaign is far from over. In the April primary, Kanjorski received 90,800 Democratic votes, while Barletta tallied just over 27,000 Republican votes.
“This is a very close race,” Barletta said. “We’re not taking anything for granted, and we’re going to run through the finish line. We’ve felt a lot of momentum for months now, but we will not give one inch. We’re going to finish strong.”
Ed Mitchell, spokesman for the Kanjorski campaign, said the 24-year congressman remains confident as he heads toward the finish line.
“Everyone’s entitled to their opinion,” Mitchell said. “Pundits don’t vote in the 11th District, the people who know firsthand that Paul Kanjorski stands up for them will vote. We’re confident we will win on Election Day.”
For the 111th Congress, The Pindell Report forecasts the Senate at 58-41 (counting two Independent lawmakers caucusing with the Democratic majority) and the House at 252-180. The Senate race in Alaska and three House races – in Florida, New Mexico and Kansas – remain toss-ups, he said.
Barletta took the news cautiously, saying the campaign is far from over. In the April primary, Kanjorski received 90,800 Democratic votes, while Barletta tallied just over 27,000 Republican votes.
If this can happen (and it most likely will), there's no reason that McCain can't take Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties, as well as the 21 electoral votes in PA.
JOHN MCCAIN WILL WIN PA AND THE ELECTION! IT’S A DONE DEAL!
“The economy, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush combine to push several Senate and House races that were toss-ups last week into the Democratic column.”
That remains to be seen. Pindell and his Rat cohorts may get unexpected results.
I will be shocked if McCain takes Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties but it would be wonderful to see Kanjorski canned! The airwaves are constant Obama adds!
Question for you. The MSM say that Murtha’s “Pennsylvanians are redneck racists” comments will not lose him his seat, nor will they bleed over to hurt other PA Dems (if there was a guy who deserves to lose it’s Jack Murtha). Yet here is this story about a PA Dem losing his seat. Is a backlash growing there? Seems to me if they can blame 2006 on the disgrace of one Rep, we ought to be able to hope the disgrace of many, many Dems will hurt them all. Do we dare to hope this Kanjorski thing is being repeated all over the country unnoticed?
Yes, there are TONS of Obama ads in “da valley”, but there is a reason for that. It’s because the Obama campaign is VERY worried about both the area and PA.
Hazleton is the hometown of Rays manager Joe Maddon- GO Phillies!
What I don’t understand fellow FReepers is given the following:
1. This long-time incumbent dem is in trouble
2. Biden is making a gaff a day
3. Murtha and the WV AFL-CIO calling the electorate racist and rednecks (several times)
4. More Gaffs to come
5. The “MO” is on McCain’s side (the majority of polls shows this)
6. Dem sex scandal in Fla (Mahoney)
Still, the pollsters and dums are expecting a HUGE win for Hussein and HUGE gains in Congress.
We are 2 weeks out! These gaffs in themselves can stall any momentum that Hussein has had.
An incumbent would have no trouble in holding onto his seat if the pollsters are saying the Hussein and the dums are going to win big. This just does not add up.
They ought to unload that money right back into the peoples' 401K accounts that went down in value, rather than waste it on this nut.
This is all smoke and mirrors to keep blaming the Republicans when it was the Dems who created and supported this financial scam in the first place.
The numbers aren't moving because the people have been hit in the wallet en masse and they are angry.
Every Democrat deserves to lose this election.
They have ACORN and the ability to rig the vote. They're just trying to soften us up to bend over and take it.
Kanjorski has several negatives. First, Google “cornerstone Kanjorski”, and “fannie mae kanjorski”, and you’ll see how entrenched he is in controversy. Add to that the fact that Lou Barletta is anti-illegal immigration, and you have a recipe for Kanjorski to lose.
Kanjorski is the chairman of a House subcommittee which oversees Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, and recently reaffirmed his support for Rangel AFTER it was announced that Rangel had evaded taxes, etc.
I have to wonder if the Dems are going to receive most of the blame for the economic meltdown due to their involvement with Fannie Mae and subprime loans.
It would be nice to think that voters are finally taking notice that Dem politicians are for themselves, and NOT for their constituents, but I won’t bank on it.
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