Democrats Worry of Dismal Mid-Term

What a difference a year makes. Last year Democrats won an election on hope. Now they're hoping to keep next year's mid-term losses to a minimum, reports CBS News Political Analyst John Dickerson.

"It's a tough time for Democrats frankly," Democratic pollster Celinda Lake told Dickerson.

With the economy struggling and jobs slow to return, voters who elected Democrats in 2008 may have doubts about voting for the party again in 2010.

"Our voters are less enthusiastic than Republicans and independents," Lake told Dickerson.

In the House, four Democrats - Washington Rep. Brian Baird, Kansas Rep. Dennis Moore and Tennessee congressmen Bart Gordon and John Tanner - have announced their retirement in the last four weeks. The total leaving so far this year is 11. Democratic strategists are watching with concern since open seats are more likely to change parties.

For now, Tennessee's Tanner holds Davy Crocket's old seat.

"He was elected three times and defeated three times," Tanner told Dickerson. "They say he rode a horse into the capitol and told them all to go to hell. He was going to Texas."

Tanner is a co-founder of the congressional Blue Dog Coalition, 56 conservative Democrats who are buffeted by both sides. Liberals scold them for voting against health care reform, energy legislation and stimulus spending. Republicans say they are out of step with their conservative constituents.

"An airplane can't fly on one wing," Tanner told Dickerson. "The pilot sits in the middle in the cockpit, and the Blue Dogs are sitting in the middle, and we're the ones criticized at home for being too liberal and criticized up here (in Washington) for being too conservative."

Even with current big margins, it's been hard for Democrats to pass controversial legislation. That's why every seat that becomes open is a problem.

"I think keeping those retirements under control is going to be very, very important for the elections," Lake told Dickerson.

It's not unusual for a new president's party to lose seats in a mid-term election, which means while Democrats may have made history last year, next year they're likely to repeat it.

[wasdemocrat]

Having been a long time registered Democrat I find myself very upset and disappointed with our current crop of politicians calling themselves Democrats.
Their agenda is no longer democratic but, rather, anti-establishment, socialistic people who want to demolish the very values upon which this Country was founded. As a US Voter I believe they should stand up and identify themselves as something other than Democrats. Perhaps something as simple as socialists. If they cannot be that honest then they could make up a new party moniker but, please, not Democrats at all. My party has been hijacked!

[zootsuithap]

2010 the year "hope" becomes "hallucination"

[mmvale]

Let's get rid of all these congresspeople who were suppose to represent us and instead made up bills behind closed doors and then quickly voted for them before anyone knew what they said. What happen to the change for honesty and integrity we were promised? Get rid of all who voted for this newest 2,500 pages of healthcare mumbo jumbo that no one read or understood.

[-One_American-]

Probably the best way for Democrats to internalize what the American voters are going to do to them next election - is for the Democrats to think of it merely as a "mid-term abortion" of Democrats from our government. That should make it more understandable to them.

[grannysunni]

Yes, the Dems should be worried. My husband was a registered Democrat all his life but he just changed his party registration. Neither of us will ever vote for another democrat again. We are so done with the party. They have ruined this country with their exorbitant spending, they refused to listen to the people, they think their jobs are nothing more than a gravy train to free travel, free parties, free this, free that. I hope they all lose their seats in 2010 and 2012. Obama was nothing more than a snake oil salesman, pulling his bait and switch. He's broken all his campaign promises, increased our national debt and he himself has traveled more than any prior president, all on the taxpayer's dime.

[fiberglass3]

No he is keeping his campaign promises. He promised Health Care Reform and was elected to do just that. Our family became registered Democrats because of his promises.

[crabbymemaw]

The DEMOCRATS had better watch out! This fu$%ed up scam they call healt reform will get them fired and screw this country up more than it is already!
WE CAN NOT AFFORD THIS BULL@#$#!!
WASHINGTON MUST BE FLUSHED OF THE TURDS THAT EXIST THERE!!!
When do we the people get to read this bill?
Didn't obama say that every bill will be on line for all to see?
HE IS A LIAR!!!!
TIME FOR A DO OVER!

[zootsuithap]

but, but, you are talking about the messiah.

[2012EOD]

The Costly "Doctor Fix." Every year, because of congressionally created formulas in Medicare physician payment, Congress must vote to suspend these pre-ordained payment systems that would automatically cut Medicare payments to physicians. If enacted this year, these cuts would reduce physician payment rates by 21 percent.

Cut doctors pay by 21% will help health care? All of you Obama supporters just killed America, and the doctors will not save us.

[2012EOD]

Hope and Change.

We have neither.

[sean71z]

Federal red ink is a reason to eliminate Incumbents. The last fiscal year ended with the $1.4 trillion dollar budget deficit. National debt stands at over $12 trillion dollars. Unemployment for full-time workers after November 2009 is 11%. Barack Obama needs a Republican Congress because the Democratic version insists on fraudulent welfare spending. Energy policy is more important than Afghanistan or Yemen.

[skeezix06]

They should be worried. They turned their backs on their base. Look for their base to turn their backs in 2010 and 2012.