Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid downplayed polling that shows his Democratic Party in danger of losing its slim hold on the Senate, saying that if the November elections were held today, “we’d be just fine.”
The Nevada lawmaker admitted the “election is not today — it’s 48 days away.” But he noted that reports that have suggested the conservative billionaire Koch brothers have slowed their fundraising efforts this election cycle was a good sign Democratic candidates are gaining momentum.
“We’re doing fine. And I just think any talk of Republicans taking control of the Senate is really premature and not based on fact,” Reid told reporters Tuesday said.
Reid dismissed suggestions that President Obama’s sagging popularity among voters will hurt his party’s struggle to keep control of the upper chamber, saying the midterm elections aren’t a referendum on the administration.
“It’s a contest between two individuals, and that’s what we’re seeing all over the country,” he said. “And we have much better candidates than they have, and I think that’s showing without any questions in virtually every state.”
Reid added he has no plans to step down as party leader if Democrats keep control of the Senate.
