Charles Schumer is pretty sure the Democrats will do just fine in 2012 -- at least where the Senate is concerned. Dems have been hit by retirements in key states setting off the real possibility that the Republican party would achieve a majority pretty easily.
But not lately. Republicans are no longer favored as they were a few months ago.
The ailing economy, Schumer contends, will hurt the GOP more than Democrats: “We don’t expect the economy to be in a rip-roaring recovery next year, but that hurts Republicans even more than it hurts Democrats, because it changes what the major issues are.
“This is a contrast election,” Schumer said. “The theory of shrinking the government, get the government out of the way, has failed. Basically, it hasn’t done anything to improve people’s lives.” ......Recently, Democrats have had Republicans scrambling on extending the payroll tax extension, which House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) earlier this year criticized. Schumer, his smile widening, says the payroll tax battle “crystallizes” the message war in 2012.
“We’re beginning to turn the tax issue around,” he said, adding that Republicans have had the “high ground” on taxes since President Reagan. Now that Democrats are on the same page about raising taxes on families making more than $1 million, the dynamic has changed, according to Schumer. ...The Hill
