Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) House Speaker recently cheered the Tea Party victories in Republican primaries nationwide saying the results were very positive" for Democrats. Whats happened for Democrats was very positive" Pelosi told reporters following a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation at the Capitol Wednesday.
We were very pleased with the candidates that we drew and they offer a great contrast in the election as to the clarity of the choice" Posi said.
Pelosis comments are in line with the Democratic mood following the upset win of Tea Party-backed Christine ODonnell over Rep. Mike Castle a long-serving moderate in the Delaware GOP primary for Senate.
Democrats and independent political analysts believe ODonnells win gives the party a much better shot at keeping the seat long held by Vice President Joe Biden and by extension the Senate majority.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) also said on Wednesday that the Tea Partys primary successes point to a deep division in the GOP as Tea
Party candidates have run to the right of establishment Republicans and the party establishment in some cases including Delaware has actively campaigned against Tea Party candidates.
The bottom line is theyre a deeply divided party" Hoyer told reporters adding that the division is going to hurt them."
Hoyer said Democrats are ready for the reelection battle ahead.
Our members are up. Our members are confident" he said. Our members are engaged in the issues."
On the contentious issue of tax cuts and the legislative schedule whether to hold a vote before the midterm elections on extending the Bush tax cuts for the middle class the caucus began discussions on the expiring tax cuts in a closed-door meeting but reached no consensus.
Were having a very productive conversation with our caucus" Pelosi said.
Im proud of our members and its very clear we cannot afford the tax cuts for the rich and we must have tax cuts for the middle class."
