Democrats Confident Despite Low Approval

"The numbers are at record levels for Democrats," Schumer said, pointing to most recent polling data favoring his party over Republicans on many issues.

This week's Washington Post-ABC News Poll revealed just 39 percent of voters hold a favorable image of the GOP with 56 percent viewing it unfavorably. The Democratic Party, however, held a 51 to 45 favorability edge. Moreover, asked which party they want to control Congress in 2009 regardless of who wins the White House, voters favored Democrats by 54 to 40 percent.

On five key issues -- the Iraq war, healthcare, the economy, taxes and immigration -- Democrats hold advantages ranging from 6 to 27 percentage points over Republicans in terms of which party is more trusted. Only on combating terrorism do Republicans hold an edge, 42 to 41 percent, over Democrats.

Democrats also continue to hold critical advantages in the electoral and financial landscapes. House Republicans have suffered 14 retirements, including several in seats considered newly competitive because of the veteran incumbent's departure. Meanwhile, some Republicans linked to corruption investigations, including Reps. John T. Doolittle (Calif.) and Don Young (Alaska), are seeking re-election for seats that are highly competitive only because of the incumbent's weaknesses.

Democrats have seen just three retirements, all from safe districts. And two of the retiring Democrats -- Reps. Tom Allen (Maine) and Mark Udall (Colo.) -- believe the political environment is so conducive to Democratic gains that they are giving up safe seats for Senate bids.

Financially, the National Republican Congressional Committee is essentially bankrupt, with just $1.6 million in cash available at the end of the 3rd quarter and almost $4 million in leftover debt from the 2006 cycle. Meanwhile, Van Hollen's DCCC is awash in cash, with more than $28 million available to spend as of Sept. 30.

Van Hollen has warned his colleagues that he will need much more money this year than the DCCC spent in the last election cycle because an expanded playing field has left 70 seats in question ¿ about 40 of which are held by Republicans now. In 2006, for example, the DCCC spent $70 million on a TV and radio advertising campaign that hit only 47 districts total, only seven of which were held by Democrats.

Schumer's DSCC also holds a large financial advantage over the National Republican Senatorial Committee, while, more importantly, Democrats do not have a single retiring senator. Three veteran Republican senators from Virginia, Colorado and New Mexico have announced their plans to retire at the end of their terms next year.

Stuart Rothenberg, an independent political analyst, already rates Virginia as a likely pick-up for Democrats with former Gov. Mark Warner (Va.) holding wide leads over any potential challenger. His latest Rothenberg Report rates Virginia and four other GOP seats as good pick-up opportunities for Democrats, while just one Democrat ¿ Sen. Mary Landrieu (La.) ¿ is considered in a toss-up race.