The Hill News

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) Thursday night circulated a polling memo around Capitol Hill talking up Democrats' advantages over Republicans in the fall midterm elections.

The memo argues that, while many Democrats face tough reelection contests this fall, statistical signs show that 2010 is different than 1994, when the GOP took back the House; and 2006, when Democrats regained a majority.

{mosads}"In fact, Democrats today are in a greater position of strength than Democrats in 1994 or Republicans in 2006," the memo reads. "Democrats have real accomplishments that benefit middle class families and small businesses to campaign on, an economy that is once again growing and creating jobs and a public that still remembers the disastrous consequences of failed Republican policies that cut taxes for the wealthy, cut rules for big corporations and cut the middle class loose to fend for themselves."

The DNC, which is essentially the political a! rm of the White House, put the memo out to Capitol Hill staff a day after House Democrats aired their grievances with White House press secretary Robert Gibbs's comment that there is "no doubt" the GOP could win back the lower chamber.

House Democrats were angered, saying they have taken myriad tough votes to advance President Barack Obama's agenda but they haven't received consummate support from the White House in terms of fundraising appearances and public backing. Congressional leaders emerged from a meeting with Obama Wednesday feeling confident they would receive more support from the White House.

The memo relies heavily on a recent Washington Post/ABC News poll showing President Obama is more popular than President Bush was in 2006 and President Clinton was in 1994.

It also argues that more voters trust the Obama and congressional Democrats to govern than trust Republicans, that voters trust them more on the economy and t! hat voters support Democratic policies such as the healthcare ! law and the stimulus.

Republicans have long argued with their own statistical data that Democratic policies, namely the healthcare law, are wildly unpopular and will lead to Democratic defeat in the fall.

The GOP jumped on Gibbs's comments this week. Leaders made public statements saying that the GOP is ready to lead and that the party will take back the House. 

UPDATED 7:59 P.M.

Republican National Committee Communications Director Doug Heye sent out a tongue-in-cheek response to the Democrats' memo in video form, billing it as an "alternate version":

Full memo included below:

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