Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Democratic Congressman Says Hillary May Cost Him His Seat

A U.S. Congressman in a close election is already speaking off the record that Hillary may cost him his seat. Its important to realize that while she may be able to garner enough electoral votes (the Ohio GOP is in shambles) to take the White House depending on who the Republican nominee is.

But the effect of Hillary on the ticket will be enough for a record turnout for the Conservative base just itching to vote against her. The AP reports:

The chairman of a Midwest state party called Clinton a nightmare for congressional and state legislative candidates.

A Democratic congressman from the West, locked in a close re-election fight, said Clinton is the Democratic candidate most likely to cost him his seat.

A strategist with close ties to leaders in Congress said Democratic Senate candidates in competitive races would be strongly urged to distance themselves from Clinton.

"The argument with Hillary right now in some of these red states is she's so damn unpopular," said Andy Arnold, chairman of the Greenville, S.C., Democratic Party. "I think Hillary is someone who could drive folks on the other side out to vote who otherwise wouldn't."

"Republicans are upset with their candidates," Arnold added, "but she will make up for that by essentially scaring folks to the polls."