GOP Majority in House May Not Happen, Says Chamber of Commerce Head

Tom Diemer

Correspondent

Hold the champagne. One of the business world's most powerful lobbyists, the head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, reportedly thinks Democrats will narrowly hold their majority in the House of Representatives in the Nov. 2 midterm election.

Two sources told CNN that Chamber President Tom Donohue has handicapped every key House race and thinks the Republicans will lose a few -- enough to shrink their net gains and keep Democrats in control for another two years. Donohue's analysis suggests Republican defeats would be part of an anti-establishment trend among the electorate that goes beyond displeasure with the Democratic Party and President Obama.

Chamber spokesman JP Fielder said he could not comment on any private conversations, but told CNN that "if there is anything we learned from last week, it's that surprises lay ahead in this election cycle." The chamber, which favors a conservative pro-business agenda on Capitol Hill, has promised to spend more than $75 million during the midterm campaigns -- most of it, but not all, on behalf of Republican candidates. The chamber recently endorsed Joe Manchin, the Democratic governor of West Virginia, in the Mountain State's Senate race.

Republicans need to pick up 40 seats in November to gain a majority in the House. The cable network's story did not address prospects in the Senate, which is also controlled by Democrats.

SOURCE: http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/09/22/gop-majority-in-house-may-not-happen-says-chamber-of-commerce-h/?ncid=txtlnkuspoli00000003