GOP Leader Eric Cantor Predicts Republican Landslide in 2010

In ABC News Exclusive, Top GOP Leader Predicts Republicans Will Take Back House of Representatives in 2010

by JONATHAN KARL, RICK KLEIN and Z. BYRON WOLF
June 10, 2009

These may be dark days for the Republican Party, but a top GOP congressional leader predicted today that Republicans would trounce Democrats in the 2010 midterm elections and could take back control of the House of Representatives.

"I really believe we've got a shot at taking back this House because you see what's gone on here with the unfettered ability of this administration and Nancy Pelosi to run this Congress," Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., the No. 2 Republican in the House, told ABC News in an exclusive interview. "The American people see that this agenda is way far out of the mainstream. They want a check and a balance on this power. And I think at the end of the day that's what rules come November 2010."

Democrats currently have a 257-178 majority, meaning Republicans would need a net gain of 40 seats win control of the House. That would be a historic landslide similar to the 54-seat gain in 1994 that gave Republicans control of the House.

Despite Cantor's optimism, Republicans are in a deep hole. There's a popular Democrat in the White House, and according to the latest ABC News poll, only 21 percent of voters identify themselves as Republicans -- a 26-year low. In the same poll, Republicans in Congress had an approval rating of 30 percent, compared with 45 percent for congressional Democrats.

But Cantor says there is a growing public backlash against Democrats because of massive deficit spending and the administration's approach to national security, especially the decision to close the Guantanamo Bay prison.

"I do believe they are setting up an environment for us to make a very convincing case that this country needs a check and balance on this unbridled power," Cantor said.

In poll after poll, President Obama's approval rating has been greater than 60 percent, twice as high as Republicans in Congress, but Cantor insists the president and his party are vulnerable on the issues.

"Look, he's a likable guy. He's an attractive leader," Cantor said. "But his policies are now tanking. The economy is our issue again. National security is our issue again."