House Democratic campaign chief Chris Van Hollen says his colleagues shouldn’t expect him to top his 20-seat gain in elections two years from now.
“To be realistic, we are going to be fighting hard to hold the line,” the Maryland lawmaker said at a breakfast meeting at the National Press Club. “That doesn’t mean we won’t be on offense.”
{mosads}Van Hollen also predicted the Democratic Congress will have a better relationship with President-elect Barack Obama than it did with President Clinton, who distanced himself from both congressional Republicans and Democrats through a strategy known as “triangulation.”
“I don’t think this White House will pursue a strategy of triangulation,” Van Hollen said.
Van Hollen is heading into his second two-year term as the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, but will be working more on policy now that he also holds the title of “assistant to the Speaker.” The former assistant, Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.), is now vice chairman of the Democratic Caucus.
Van Hollen had said just after the election that he didn’t want to chair the committee again. Insiders say he was either talked out of a race for House Democratic Caucus chairman, the No. 4 slot in leadership, by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), or that he lacked the votes, including Pelosi’s, necessary to win the race.
He said Thursday that the enhanced position fulfills his hopes because it includes both a political and policy portfolio.
“My desire to be at the policy table was driving my decision,” Van Hollen said. “This marriage of responsibilities is a great combination.”
He said his job starts with incumbent retention, but now will also include coordinating on policy with the Obama administration.
Van Hollen beamed as he discussed the results of the 2008 election and the 24 seats Democrats have picked up. But he did indicate some frustration with one race — the victory of Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) despite numerous ethical scandals and investigations. Even Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) was ousted, though he’d just gone through a corruption trial.
“I guess the fact of the matter is that in Alaska, you actually have to be convicted of something to be defeated,” Van Hollen quipped.