GOP now sets eyes on 2010 election

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By Sarah Abruzzese

Reveling in the Virginia Republican top-ticket sweep, the party is hoping to build on its momentum and take at least four House seats from Democrats next year, compounding the home state losses of Gov. Tim Kaine, who moonlights as the Democratic National Committee chairman.

The National Republican Congressional Committee on Wednesday sent out an e-mail targeting the seats of three freshman Democrats and a 26-year incumbent.

The list includes two incumbents identified by both parties as vulnerable from nearly the moment they were elected: Democrat Rep. Glenn Nye of Virginia Beach and Rep. Tom Perriello, who represents the diverse 5th District that ranges from Charlottesville south to the North Carolina state line.

Republicans have added the seats of newcomer Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, who holds the seat formerly held by longtime Republican Rep. Thomas M. Davis III, and the southwest seat of 14-term Rep. Rick Boucher.

House Minority Whip Eric Cantor said Tuesday night that Robert F. McDonnell's gubernatorial victory would provide a template for next year's elections.

"Were going to take the model that worked here in Virginia. Bob McDonnell is a common sense conservative Republican that was able to unite our party behind the concepts of limited government, of lower taxes, of individual responsibility and opportunity. We are going to take that message so we can unite our party and begin to appeal to independents with solutions that affect their everyday lives." Mr. Cantor said.

Republicans cited the overwhelming majority that Republican candidates achieved in the congressional districts Tuesday night as proof that they can take the seats.

Mr. McDonnell won 62 percent of the vote in Mr. Nye's district, 61 percent in Mr. Perriello's district, 55 percent in Mr. Connolly's district and 66 percent in Mr. Boucher's district - a coal-producing area of southwest Virginia where the debate over legislation to cap carbon emissions has energized the community.

For his part, Mr. Kaine told reporters at a news conference in Richmond on Wednesday that the losses in Virginia dont portend Democratic losses in 2010.

"There is a relation between what happens in the White House and what happens in these two governor's races but then there is not much of a relation between what happens in the governors races and what happens in the mid-term," Mr. Kaine said. "There isnt really an historic connection between the off-cycle elections and the next years midterms."

Despite the losses, Mr. Kaine's job as DNC chairman seems secure.

"Obama is going to take care of him one way of the other," said Larry J. Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. "He's insulated from the debacle that occurred on his watch in his own state."

Mr. Kaine said he also did not think Tuesday's elections would affect his job status.

"I don't really think its going to affect my service as DNC chair. I've been on the phone with the White House last night and again this morning talking about these races and challenges and issues to come," he said.