Tales from the Trail

In dueling appearances on the Sunday morning news shows, the heads of the Democratic and Republican parties made the same  prediction — After the Nov. 2 elections, our guys will control the House.

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele says his party’s going into the final campaign stretch on a winning combination of momentum, excitement and energy.

“There is a vibration out here that is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, Steele said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

“I think you’re going to see a wave, an unprecedented wave on Election Day, that’s going to surprise a lot of people,” Steele said.

“As I like to say, we’re 38 seats and we need to get to 39 seats to… get control (of the House). But I think we’re more than there,” the RNC chief said.

The Senate’s going to be a bit tougher, Steele said, but he’s not ruling out a takeover there too.

“If this wave continues the way it’s going… I think you could see the Senate as well goes to Republicans,” he added.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine says it won’t be easy, but Democrats will keep control of the House.

“I think it’s going to be close. These races are very close,” Kaine said on ABC’s “This Week.”

“But from this point forward, it’s all about turnout and ground game, and we’re seeing good early voting trends… we’ve got work to do, but we think we can do it,” Kaine said.

Republicans are aiming to take control of the Democratic-led House of Representatives and  Senate in the midterm elections.

All 435 seats in the House  and about a third of the 100 Senate seats are up for grabs.

Photo Credits:  REUTERS/Scott Audette (Steele greets Sarah Palin at Orlando rally, Oct. 23, 2010); REUTERS/Jim Young (Kaine with Obama , Jan. 2009); REUTERS/Tim Shaffer (Supporters of Pennsylvania Republican senate candidate Pat Toomey and Democratic Senate candidate Congressman Joe Sestak before a debate Philadelphia)