NYT: Guardedly, Democrats Are Daring to Believe

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/22/us/politics/22dems.html?ei=5090&en=c69c5de74f68d827&ex=1319169600&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=print

October 22, 2006
Political Memo

Guardedly, Democrats Are Daring to Believe
By ADAM NAGOURNEY and ROBIN TONER

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 — There is something unusual bubbling in Democratic political waters these days: optimism.

With each new delivery of bad news for Republicans — another Republican congressman under investigation, another Republican district conceded, another poll showing support for the Republican-controlled Congress collapsing — a party that has become so used to losing is considering, disbelievingly and with the requisite worry, the possibility that it could actually win in November.

“I’ve moved from optimistic to giddy,” said Gordon R. Fischer, a former chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party. “I really have.”

Representative Barney Frank, Democrat of Massachusetts, who is in line to become chairman of the Financial Services Committee in a Democratic House, offered wry evidence of the changing perception of the race.
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“I’ve acquired a lot of new friends this year,” Mr. Frank said. “And I haven’t gotten any nicer.”

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This article sounds good. Dare I hope?

SR