Do the Repubs need 20 seats or 40 seats to take majority in House??

[kentuck]

After all, if the Democrats lose 20 seats, that means the Repubs gain 20 seats. That would be a 40-seat turn-around. But the Repubs would only need to "win" 20 seats to take majority. Is that not correct?

I keep hearing the pundits say the Repubs need 39 seats to take the majority? How do they get 39 seats? If they win 19 seats, they will have 38 more seats. If they win 20 seats, they will have 40 more seats and the majority. Right?

[Unvanguard]

1. That's not correct.

A gain of twenty seats for the Republicans diminishes the Democratic advantage in the House (i.e., D seats minus R seats) by forty. But a majority is an absolute number: 218.

[kentuck]

3. Would not a forty seat difference give majority to Repubs?

There are 435 seats.

[Unvanguard]

8. The Republicans have 178 seats right now.

They need 218 for a majority. So they need to gain 40 seats.

[Make7]

2. How many seats do the Republicans currently have? How many seats constitutes a majority? ( n/t )

[tritsofme]

4. Democrats have a 77 seat majority in the chamber

255D to 178R, 218 seats makes a majority. So by netting 39 Republicans would takeover.

[pinboy3niner]

5. For the Win!

That is the perfect answer. The information is precise and accurate. :thumbsup:

[Make7]

6. 178 + 39 = 218 ? ( n/t )

[tritsofme]

9. There are currently two vacancies.

One seat belonging to each of the parties.

[Bitwit1234]

7. Well just remember they have to win at least

all the seats they have now about 200 and then some. Think they are politically strong enough.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

10. I have my doubts

They pulled off a landslide in 1994 but their favorability ratings were much better then if I recall correctly and they were also helped by public antipathy towards Bill & Hillary Clinton. Add to that the number of teabaggers running and improved Democratic poll numbers- including a recent sizable poll bump for President Obama, I have serious doubts as to whether holding ALL of their seats and picking up an additional 39 is possible for them unless either we seriously mess up on GOTV and/or if the public decides at the last second to go overwhelmingly for the Repubs, which I doubt. It may end up being close but I have my doubts as to whether the Repubs are going to win either the House or the Senate this year. :shrug: It will be an interesting election night for sure.