Democrats expect additional gains in 2008

The chairmen of the House and Senate Democratic campaign committees sounded differing notes of optimism on Wednesday, just more than a year away from what they say will be a second consecutive election on the offensive.

{mosads}Speaking to reporters at a briefing, Sen. Charles Schumer (N.Y.), the two-cycle chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said the 2008 election could be “a seminal election.” He said the results could “change the tectonic plates of politics.”

Schumer said he expects to hold all 12 seats that Senate Democrats have to defend in 2008 and to pick up a share of the 22 that Republicans are trying to hold, expanding on his party’s slim 51-49 majority.

Rep. Chris Van Hollen (Md.), with a seemingly tougher map in front of him as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), struck a more measured tone. However, the lawmaker also insisted that Democrats will be on the offensive in many GOP-held districts, with about 40 quality challengers already recruited.

Van Hollen tempered expectations to some extent, saying that the cycle after a “wave” election is historically a difficult one and that the DCCC has to “beat history” after gaining 30 seats in 2006.

“The big story is not that we’re trying to consolidate our gains,” he said. “We are very much on offense.”

Schumer and Van Hollen repeatedly insisted that the Democratic Party is still the party of change and said voters believe in them to effect that change, despite an inability thus far to end the war in Iraq and very low approval ratings for a Congress with Democrats in control of both chambers.

Republicans said the Democrats’ record will turn voters off.

“One year ago, voters placed their expectations on the shoulders of congressional Democrats, and they’ve failed to deliver,” said National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) spokeswoman Jessica Boulanger. “Democrats’ inability to get anything accomplished, coupled with their growing list of broken campaign promises, has left the American people exasperated with this majority.”