Steele: Not this year to GOP takeover of House

In an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox, the GOP chairman waved off the idea of a Republican majority after the November elections.

His comments are pertinent to the North Country because of this comment:

“We’re just now beginning to look at the races…I don’t know who all the candidates are. We still have some vacancies that need to get filled.”

Three of those “vacancies” are right here in the North Country. Democrats Scott Murphy (Glens Falls), Bill Owens (Plattsburgh) and Mike Arcuri (Utica) are among the most vulnerable Dems in the Northeast.

So far, Republicans haven’t found credible challengers to pursue those seats. (Richard Hanna, who lost narrowly to Arcuri in 2006, is still on the sidelines.)

November may seem like a long way off, but all three Democrats are already hustling, building campaign chests, building organizations, and prepping to play defense.

Republicans could face one more New York challenge if Rep. Peter King challenges Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.

That would open one more seat that the GOP would have to fight hard to retain. Without retaking (or holding) seats like these, a Republican surge is hard to envision.

Tags: election10