SACRAMENTO — California Republicans once expected to cruise to reelection in Congress are now locked in fierce battles to retain their seats, as the nation's economic crisis propels Democrats fighting for districts they have not held in a generation.
Democrats and Republicans alike are all but certain that Barack Obama will easily win California's 55 electoral votes. Some think he could help carry one or more Democratic challengers to Congress.
Democrats already hold 34 of the state's 53 congressional seats. But they are particularly emboldened this year, flush with money and buoyed by registration gains. Republicans are struggling with, comparably, a lack of funds and lower levels of enthusiasm.
"We're not on the offense. We're only on defense," said Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield), who is happy to find himself unopposed this year.
McCarthy lists the GOP's challenges: President Bush is profoundly unpopular, the Iraq war drags on, the economy is in crisis and Republicans don't have enough money.
"The wind is not at our back. It is in our face," McCarthy said. "It is tough being a Republican. It is tough being an incumbent."
Those who are both are particularly nervous.
Even David Dreier (R-San Dimas), a veteran of 28 years in the House and a member of the powerful Rules Committee, is campaigning hard for his seat, which includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Dreier did not respond to a request for an interview.
Dreier's challenger, Russ Warner, is trying to portray the congressman as being too close to President Bush and out of touch with his district.
"People don't realize it because he has been in Congress for 28 years," Warner said.
Warner remains a long-shot, at least based on money. He had $28,000 in the bank as of Oct. 15, to Dreier's $1.2 million.
But Democrats generally have plenty of green. Through Oct. 15, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee had $23.3 million in the bank after spending $78 million. The GOP congressional campaign committee had $12.7 million in the bank and had spent $46.3 million in this campaign.
"We are aggressively playing offense," committee spokesman Yoni Cohen said.
Complicating matters for Republicans, 29 of their incumbents across the country are retiring from Congress.
A national Republican Party official said the party's fears extend from California across the West.
