The
Cook Political Report currently rates 50 House seats as competitive. Of these seats, 24 lean Democrat, eight lean Republican and 18 are rated toss ups. Of all these seats, only 12 are in districts that voted for Democrat presidential nominees in the last two elections.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is certainly not making it easy for the 49 House Democrats in districts carried by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in 2008. These districts tend to oppose the Waxman-Markey Climate and Energy bill (Cap & Trade) and the Affordable Health Care for America Act (Democrat health care bill). While the House passed both bills by slim margins, 20 of the 49 members voted for Cap & Trade and 18 voted for health care reform. It remains to be seen if and how these decisions will impact their bids for re-election.
Republicans also are poised to pick up seats in the Senate. Currently, Democrats control 60 of the 100 seats providing for a filibuster-proof majority. Thirty-seven seats are up this November; 19 currently are held by Democrats and 18 by Republicans. The
Cook Political Report rates 13 seats as competitive, with two leaning Democrat, two leaning Republican and nine rated as toss ups.
The toss ups are in Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, New Hampshire, Ohio, Nevada and Pennsylvania. If former New York Gov. George Pataki (R) decides to challenge appointed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) and if Gov. John Hoeven (R) takes on Sen. Byron Dorgan (D) in North Dakota, two seats in the Democrat column could move into the toss up category.
While it is possible the Republicans might regain control of Congress in 2010, it is not likely given the status of many races. For House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) to be elected speaker, the Republicans would need a net win of 218 seats. Currently, the GOP controls 177, so it would need to pick up at least 41 Democrat seats while holding all of its own. Current estimates place the GOP with a 20- to 30-seat pickup. In the Senate, Republicans would need a net win of 29 seats, which includes holding all of its 18 up for election and picking up 11 now held by Democrats.
Between now and November, much can change. If the economy does not improve and unemployment rates remain high, expect a poor Democrat performance. Also worrisome to many Democrats, especially in districts Sen. McCain won in 2008, is President Obama’s declining approval rating.
If pro-business candidates cannot mount a strong comeback in Congress and in state capitals across the country, open shop contractors, including members of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), can expect:
- swift passage of the Employee Free Choice Act/“card check” legislation;
- continued expansion of union-only project labor agreements;
- government-run health care;
- increased personal and business taxes; and
- elimination of right-to-work laws.
The Free Enterprise Alliance, the issue-advocacy arm of ABC, educates ABC members, their employees, elected officials and the general public about the value of open competition in America. Since its inception in 2001, the Free Enterprise Alliance has funded several successful initiatives, including legislative/ballot referendums in eight states; preserving right-to-work legislation; issue advocacy campaigns featuring print, radio and television ads; educating ABC members nationwide about endorsed candidates; several national get-out-the-vote campaigns; and voter guides in both English and Spanish.
ABC also sponsors a national Political Action Committee (ABC PAC) that works within the federal election process to further the goals of the association through direct involvement in supporting or opposing candidates for the Senate and House. This is accomplished through educating ABC members on the importance of political activism and financial support of open shop candidates.
Once again, the construction industry has an opportunity to impact the nation’s direction. The November elections are around the corner, so now is the time to get into politics or get out of business.