Put a positive spin on it Mr. Speaker. Not "We aren't giving up," but "To hell they will."

An 8-24-04 ajc headline reads: "GOP sees state House as ripe for the taking."

Some Republicans are so confident of completing their takeover of the Legislature that they already are looking ahead to an inside-the-party fight for House speaker.

The GOP, which took control of the state Senate two years ago, now is hoping the November elections will give it a majority in the 180-member state House.

Speaker Terry Coleman (D-Eastman) said Democrats are working hard to retain their power and a majority of 96 to 100 members. "We aren't giving up," he said this week.

The prize is even bigger this year. A Republican majority in the House would complete what Perdue started when he won election and then persuaded four Senate Democrats to switch parties. Those changes gave Republicans a 30-26 Senate majority.

Heading to November, 56 House Republicans and 51 House Democrats have no opposition, which means that majority control hinges on 73 contested races. Republicans need to win 35 of those 73 to gain a majority. Democrats need 40 wins.

"I don't believe there are going to be any coattails on the national level this year, which helps our elections," said Coleman.
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An 9-21-04 post discusses a study on the House races by Andy Peters of the Macon Telegraph and has a comment on the outlook by yours blogly.