From Politico.com:
Since September, Cole has faced a barrage of bad news:Let's add to that list of bad news for the GOP House:
- The NRCC lags behind the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee by nearly $30 million in cash on hand.
- GOP House leadership endured an embarrassing scuffle when Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) tried to fire Cole’s top two staffers, during which Cole threatened to resign.
- There has been a wave of retirement announcements by veteran Republican lawmakers that will force the NRCC to defend what were once seen as safe GOP seats.
- Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.) was indicted on 35 federal corruption charges, which puts another Republican-controlled district in play.
- And the FBI continues its criminal investigation into a brewing accounting scandal that centers on the former NRCC treasurer’s activities.
- 28 GOP House seats are vacant. 1/2 in highly competitive districts. The Democrats have only 4 vacant house seats.
- The GOP lost former Speaker Dennis Hastert's House Seat in a special election even though President Bush won handily in this district in 2000 and 2004. Hastert never received less than 64% of the vote.
- 80% of the GOP House seats being targeted by the DCCC have better Democratic performance's than Dennis Hasterts district.
- The DCCC has 35.4 million on hand. The NRCC has 6.4 million.
