The Hill News

As voters went to the polls Tuesday, top Democrats still predicted they would keep control of Congress, but they also indicated they would need to pull off a stunning upset to do so. 

With Republicans expected to gain 50 House seats or more and take control of the lower chamber, Democratic Committee Chairman Tim Kaine said that it would be an "uphill battle" for his party to keep power in the House.

"The Senate seems to be an easier one for us, the House is tough," he said on NBC's "Today" show.

Even though Democrats have been expected to sustain large losses for some time, their leaders have expressed confidence in their chances of holding the House. But Kaine's comments show that his party knows how difficult a task that will be. 

Pennsylvania! Gov. Ed Rendell (D), a former DNC chairman, sought to explain why Democrats had such trouble this midterm cycle.

"I think expectations were unreasonably high for Barack Obama," he said on CBS's "Early Show."

The chairman said Democrats have a path to victory, citing strong numbers in early voting and their ability to pick up a few GOP seats in states like Hawaii, Illinois and Delaware, which would force Republicans to pick up more seats to regain the majority.