Democrats Pessimistic About Taking Back House

With public disapproval ratings toward Congress soaring, you might think Democrats have a good chance to make inroads into Republicans’ House majority in next year’s elections. But Democrats themselves express little optimism about their chances of regaining control of the House, Politico reports.

Growing public discontent with President Barack Obama is the main source of worry. And Democrats’ defeat in two recent special congressional elections in New York and Nevada didn’t do much to inspire enthusiasm, either.

In addition, some vulnerable Republican incumbents will benefit from redistricting, and independent interest groups will provide bountiful funding for GOP candidates.

“I’m glad the election’s not today,” longtime Democratic pollster Keith Frederick told Politico. “Every poll shows independents losing their patience for the president. These House elections tend to get nationalized, and there’s no doubt right now that as a referendum on Barack Obama, House Democrats lose.”