Van Tran for Congress

California’s Unemployment Rate Jeopardizes Sanchez’s Reelection

In what is shaping up to be a catastrophic election year for Loretta Sanchez, the embattled Democrat just got some more bad news with her state’s unemployment rate at an unacceptable 12.4 percent. As voters head the polls in less than two weeks, they will have California’s dire economic state on their mind. In a time where pink slips are more abundant than new jobs, the outlook for reelection doesn’t look good for out-of-touch Democrats like Sanchez who have rubberstamped their party’s destructive economic agenda. With House Democrats’ prospects of retaining their majority growing slimmer by the day – Will Sanchez survive the anti-Democrat tide?

“Loretta Sanchez set herself up for failure when she rubberstamped her party’s reckless economic policies at the expense of California families,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Now, as she attempts to crawl from the political grave she dug for herself, Sanchez will soon bare the backlash from her tax-and-spend agenda as California voters anxiously wait to hold her accountable in November. With less than two weeks to go – Will Sanchez survive the anti-Democrat tide?”

According to new polling, the votes Democrats have cast over the past couple of years will come back to “haunt” them on Election Day.

“‘A new poll from Ramussen Reports shows votes on the auto bailout and stimulus bill are fueling voter opposition toward incumbents. ‘Incumbents beware: The major votes you’ve cast in Congress over the past couple years appear likely to come back to haunt you this Election Day,’ the organization stated.

“Findings show that 53 percent of likely voters will not support representatives who backed the bailout of GM and Chrysler. Fifty percent of voters will not back incumbents who supported the $787 billion stimulus bill. On healthcare, 50 percent refuse to support incumbents who backed reform.” (Jay Heflin, “Poll: Incumbents who backed bailout, stimulus face tough reelection,” The Hill, 10/20/2010)

With up to 99 seats in play, Republicans are poised make substantial gains in the House:

“With two weeks remaining until Election Day, the political map has expanded to put Democrats on the run across the country – with 99 Democratic-held House seats now in play, according to a POLITICO analysis, and Republicans well in reach of retaking the House.

“It’s a dramatic departure from the outlook one year ago – and a broader landscape than even just prior to the summer congressional recess. As recently as early September, many Republicans were hesitant to talk about winning a majority for fear of overreaching.” (Alex Isenstadt, “99 Dem House seats in danger,” Politico, 10/19/2010)