DGA Director: Civil War Between Republicans

By: Lauren Seifert
Topics: Republicans ,; Democrats ,; Campaign 2010 ,; Washington Unplugged ,; Tea Party

While pollsters' predictions have congressional Republicans sitting pretty in this year's midterm elections, possibly taking back control of the House and Senate, there are also 37 gubernatorial seats up for grabs this year. Nathan Daschle, executive director of the Democratic Governors Association joined John Dickerson on Wednesday's "Washington Unplugged" to discuss their plan to stop the wave Republicans are riding.

Daschle told Dickerson that while the forecast isn't as sunny as it was in 2006 and 2008, Democrats can still win big in several competitive races.

"There is no question this is going to be a difficult landscape for Democrats around the country," he said. "But we actually see a tremendous number of opportunities for us this year. We can go on offense in no fewer than nine states, and I think that's pretty telling, and we feel really good about our ability to pick up a number of seats this year."

Daschle also suggested that GOP momentum could be hiding a larger problem that won't translate into wins come November.

"One of the things going on this year that I think makes this election year so interesting is the civil war between the Right and the Far Right," he said. "It's the Tea Party Republicans who are winning the civil war, and there are two types of candidates who are on the Republican side this year."

Daschle said the Tea Party impacts both camps of the Republican party: "You have the Tea Party candidates, and then you have candidates who've been scarred by the Tea Party, and I think neither one is in a good position to appeal to moderate voters this fall."

Watch Wednesday's show above, also featuring CBS News Director of Elections Anthony Salvanto on the most competitive mid-term races.

"Washington Unplugged," CBSNews.com's exclusive daily politics Webshow, appears live on CBSNews.com each weekday at 2:00 p.m. ET. Click here to check out previous episodes.