TIME Reports Dem, GOP Strategists Privately Agree Dems Would Retake House If Elections Were Held Now; Class War Seen At Work In NY GOP Races

The TIME magazine issue that hits the stands tomorrow has an interesting look at the 2006 mid-term elections. In a story by Karen Tumulty and Mike Allen, the news weekly reports that top strategists of both parties see a Democratic takeover in the House if the election were to be held now. The reports says polls and fundraising, two key factors, indicate the Democrats may be on their way to gaining the 15 or more seats they need to become the majority party again in the House.

Meanwhile, columnist Robert Novak says one of the seats which might be flipped belongs to the man heading the national Congressional campaign for the Republicans, New Yorker Tom Reynolds, who represents New York's 26th District. Novak, in his column today, mentions claims by the Democrats of secret polls that show Reynolds' seat is competitive. Novak reports the Democrats are also aiming at three other New York seats, those held by incumbents Rep. James Walsh (25th District) and Rep. John Sweeney (20th District), as well as the 24th District seat, which will be open due to the retirement of Rep Sherwood Boehlert.

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The political Web site Newsmax.com has a story today quoting former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani as saying he won't make any decision about running for president in 2008 until the 2006 elections are in the books.

Meantime, out in Kansas - one of the reddest of the red states - Steve Kraske of the Kansas City Star has an opinion piece today on why he thinks New York Sen. Hillary Clinton has a very good shot to win in 2008, despite her political baggage and her reputation in other parts of the country as an Eastern liberal.

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On Newsweek's Web site Eleanor Clift weighs in today on Sen. Russ Feingold's call for censure of President Bush over wiretapping. Clift argues, as many have, that it may have been a smart move politically for the Wisconsin Democrat but not such a wise move for the party as a whole.

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Looking at things on the state level. Two recently published articles argue that the the state GOP faceoffs this year are an indication that class warfare is dividing the Republicans. In a story by Niall Stanage, the New York Observer says races like Weld/Fasso (for governor) and McFarland/Spencer (for Senate) show the brie-and-merlot wing of the party is trying to regain a foothold. Meanwhile, in the New York Times today a story on former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato's recent outspokenness seems to back up the argument made in the Observer story.

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Speaking of Spencer, the New York Post, quoting GOP sources, is reporting today that the former Yonkers mayor will get the endorsements tomorrow of the Republican chairmen of Onondaga, Cayuga and Oswego counties. The Post said the sources also indicated Spencer can expect the backing of the Nassau and Suffolk county chairmen soon.