Claudia Peschiutta
LOS ANGELES -- Democratic Party officials say they are ready to regain
control of the House of Representatives from Republicans in November, and
are confident state Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) is among those who will
help them win the few seats they need to do so.
Schiff has a good chance of taking the 27th Congressional District
seat away from Rep. James Rogan (R-Burbank), Democratic Congressional
Campaign Committee leaders told reporters during a news conference at
Staples Center during the Democratic National Convention.
"Adam Schiff is a terrific candidate," said committee executive
director David Plouffe. "We're in great shape in that district."
Jason Roe, manager of the Rogan campaign, said he wasn't worried about
the committee's claims.
"I don't know what polls they're taking but the poll we took (Sunday)
showed us up by three points," he said.
Despite the show of confidence, Plouffe said the Democratic Party
isn't taking any chances with its candidates.
He revealed little about the party's plans but said candidates would
get the financial support they need to win.
"We're not going to let Republican incumbents put a lot more points on
TV than we are. We're not going to allow a single Republican incumbent to
mask their record," said Plouffe, who claimed Rogan and others are
running ads on "Democratic issues," such as Medicare and education.
"That just shows the ridiculousness of the Democratic leadership," Roe
responded. "These aren't Democratic issues -- they are America's issues."
The 27th Congressional District is one of a handful throughout the
nation where the Democratic Party has put up cable television ads on
behalf of its candidates.
The California Democratic Party in July began running an ad that
questions Rogan's record on education. This month, the Rogan campaign
started running a spot that talks about how the congressman has served
students.
"Rogan has been forced to respond with ads that he's paid for himself.
That forces him to start depleting his own resources," said Erik Smith,
communications director for the DCCC.
Smith questioned why the National Republican Congressional Committee
didn't put up a televised response on behalf of Rogan.
"It's almost like they've given up," he said.
Roe said the Republican committee did not come out in Rogan's defense
because it was unnecessary.
"(The Democrats') ads are foolish and the voters see through them," he
said.
