The Trump Effect is creating new openings for Democrats in the House, openings that the Democrats are poised to exploit with an expanding map of targeted Republican seats.
While Democrats have sought publicly to temper expectations that they could win the House, in private meetings they are laying out ways to expand their battle plan to fight for more seats.
And their donors appear increasingly motivated: Last month, the House Democratic campaign raised $12 million while House Republicans raised just $4.6 million, a remarkable disparity given that the party in control usually dominates fund-raising.
Ms. Pelosi emailed fellow lawmakers on Thursday and highlighted an academic study that suggested the majority might be within reach, according to someone who received the message, who requested anonymity because the message was supposed to be private. […]
Democratic strategists say they believe as many as a dozen districts could become competitive late in the race, depending on Mr. Trump’s fortunes. Among the Republican districts that Democrats see as newly threatened are those held by Representatives John L. Mica of Florida, who represents the Orlando area; Kevin Yoder of Kansas, from the suburbs of Kansas City; and Michael G. Fitzpatrick, a lawmaker from outside Philadelphia who is retiring. Several others represent diverse, economically comfortable areas of California, including Representatives Darrell E. Issa and Ed Royce, from the San Diego and Los Angeles suburbs.
Meanwhile, outside Republican groups are preparing "to run ads treating Mr. Trump as a certain-to-lose candidate and urging voters to elect Republicans as a check on Hillary Clinton." What else have they got? Oh, attacking Nancy Pelosi, of course. They're considering "a renewed television barrage" against her. If they can't demonize one woman—Hillary Clinton—because it would be a wasted effort, they'll attack another. And Republicans already holding these vulnerable seats? They're trying the old "support the nominee" dodge, or just refusing to talk about him.
Can you chip in $3 to get more Democrats into the House and make Paul Ryan's headaches even bigger?