John Gizzi of Human Events reads the electoral tea leaves and sees good news for Republicans aiming for continued control of the U.S. House.
The recent retirement announcement of Rep. Barney Frank (D.-Mass.), coming on the heels of similar announced exits in ’12 by Democratic Representatives Charles Gonzalez (Tex.) and Dennis Cardoza? (Calif.), is just the latest piece of evidence in the increasingly strong case that Republicans will retain their majority in the U.S. House of Representatives next year—no matter what happens to the top of their ticket.
The departure of the three lawmakers brings to 17 the number of Democrats opting to leave the House—eight who are retiring outright and nine who are seeking other offices. More than half of the House seats now in Democratic hands will be seriously contested by Republicans and are considered up for grabs.
In contrast, only seven Republicans are leaving the House in ’12, all of them to pursue other offices. All of their seats are considered firmly in GOP hands. …
… And in a year when much of the attention of the punditocracy has been on open House seats and House districts redrawn as a result of the redistricting process, Republicans are no slouch in the department of recruiting challengers to Democratic incumbents.
