Chris Cillizza blogs this afternoon that announcements this week from Republican Reps. Mark Kirk (IL) and Jim Gerlach (PA) have damaged GOP prospects. Kirk will be running for senate and Gerlach for governor. Both their districts will be difficult for Republicans to retain. This is certainly good news for the DCCC considering their comparatively lackluster recruiting efforts of late.
But the NRCC has reasons to smile.
We learn today that former Republican Rep. Tim Walberg is challenging Rep. Mark Schauer (D) for his old seat in MI-07. This should give Republicans another good pick-up opportunity. Walberg only lost by 3 points in 2008.
Rasmussen also offers Republicans good news on the generic congressional ballot.
Republican candidates continue to lead on the latest edition of the Generic Congressional Ballot as Democrats fall to their lowest level of support among voters in recent years.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 40% would vote for their district’s Republican congressional candidate while 37% would choose the Democratic candidate.