Veteran Republican strategist Ed Gillespie tells Newsmax that a “very big wave” of voter dissatisfaction is going to crash down on the Obama White House when Americans vote in GOP candidates in November’s midterm elections.
He also says no Democrat running for office anywhere in the country is a safe bet to win, given the level of opposition to the agenda of the Obama administration and the Democratic-controlled Congress, and believes that Republicans can win the Senate as well as the House.
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Gillespie was a White House counselor during the George W. Bush administration and a longtime top aide to House Majority Leader Dick Armey. He also served as chairman of the Republican National Committee.
In an exclusive interview with Newsmax.TV, Gillespie, declares: “I think there’s a tidal wave building out there in response to the Obama administration and the Pelosi-Reid Congress’ overreach into our economy, job-killing policies, excessive taxation, and rampant spending and debt.
“And I think on November 2, voters are going to send a very strong message. I think Republicans will take control of the House of Representatives, get close in the United States Senate, pick up eight to 10 governorships and probably about 10 state legislative chambers around the country.
“It’s going to be a very big wave that comes crashing down on this White House.”
In New York, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is being challenged by two Democrats in next Tuesday’s primary, and three Republicans are running for her seat.
Asked if a Republican can defeat Gillibrand if she wins the primary, Gillespie responds: “New York’s a tough state for a Republican to carry. But if we’re going to do it, this would be the year.
“When you have a 10-point advantage in the Congressional generic ballot in the Gallup survey for this midterm, which is the largest advantage for Republicans ever in the history of the Gallup survey of midterm election voters, anything can happen. That’s true in New York as well.”
Similarly, either of the two GOP candidates for governor in New York, former Rep. Rick Lazio and tea party favorite Carl Paladino, can win in November given the current political climate, according to Gillespie.
He adds: “I don’t think any Democrat running anywhere in the country right now can be considered to be a safe bet.”
In New Hampshire, seven candidates are vying next Tuesday for the GOP nomination to replace Judd Gregg in the Senate.
“I think whoever the Republican to emerge in the New Hampshire primary is going to be the odds-on favorite to win that seat,” Gillespie tells Newsmax.
“The Democratic nominee Paul Hodes is a down-the-line liberal who favors more federal spending, higher taxes, massive debt, supports the Obama agenda, and voted with Nancy Pelosi in the U.S. House. I don’t think New Hampshire voters are in much of a mood to send someone with that record to the Senate.”
Asked if Congressman and former Gov. Mike Castle is concerned about tea party favorite Christine O’Donnell’s challenge in next Tuesday’s Republican primary for the Senate seat from Delaware, Gillespie said: “Castle is concerned. But that [race] might turn out like Arizona where [incumbent Sen. John] McCain was able to beat back a challenge from [J.D.] Hayworth, a tea party favorite.”
And in Wisconsin, where Ron Johnson and two other candidates are seeking the Republican nomination to oppose Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold, Gillespie says “Feingold’s seat is definitely in play, and my sense is that Johnson has the momentum going into that primary.
“That is one of the seats that a year ago Democrats were taking for granted, had it as a solid Democratic hold. It’s not. I think it’s very much in play.”
He also cited Washington State, where Dino Rossi is leading in the polls over incumbent Democrat Patty Murray, and California, “where Carly Fiorina is doing very well against incumbent Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer. The playing field is very broad for Republicans to be on offense.”
The California, Wisconsin, and Washington State seats were taken for granted a year ago, along with Illinois and Delaware, and “winning those Senate races and holding our own could actually result I think in a possible Republican takeover of the Senate as well as the House.”
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