DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen believes Democratic candidates may face a tough environment. Van Hollen: No third Dem wave in 2010

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen said Friday that despite the party’s recent success, Democratic candidates may face a tough environment in 2010.

“I’m not predicting any third waves here,” the Maryland Democrat said in remarks at a forum sponsored by Georgetown University and Politico.


“If you look at first midterm elections historically, the president’s party loses seats,” he said. “The historical trend is pretty clear for Democrats.”

Rather than trying to expand the Democratic House majority in 2010, Van Hollen believes his job is "to hold the line."

But he expressed confidence that his party can rebuff the historic trend if they govern effectively. “I believe we can prevent those kinds of losses,” he said. “The American people will judge us by how we govern.”

He added that the success of the $785 billion stimulus package in turning around the economy will be a major force in determining the future political landscape, creating risks for both Republicans and Democats.

“I believe that those opposing the president at every turn are bearing a political risk,” the Democrat said, before reminding the audience that his GOP counterpart, Pete Sessions of Texas, told The Hotline that House Republicans “may be required” to adopt insurgency tactics similar to the Taliban. “He’s on video saying that,” Van Hollen said.

But if the economy does not begin to recover after the passage of the stimulus, Van Hollen warned that Democrats may face a major political problem. “The political challenge will be if the economy doesn’t turn the corner and trying to explain that,” he said.

This article tagged under: 2010

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