In the event of a tie in the Electoral College, the House has the right to choose the President. However, they do not vote as individuals; each state's delegation has one vote. So, in addition to the importance of taking the House, it is important to take a majority of the state delegations. One should realize that there is another House election in 2008, so what happens in 2006 will not be totally set in stone. One should also realize that there will be considerable pressure for representatives to vote for the candidate who won their state/district. However, 2006 will set a strong foundation for 2008. Plus, it would be easier to take the House delegations in what appears to be a Democratic year and defend them in 2008 than it would be to take them in 2008. Below is a run-down of all 50 state delegations, with the current make-up, seats we have to defend, and seats we can take. Be advised that I am listing only races mentioned in the Cook Report, Larry Sabato's Crystalball, and Congressional Quarterly's Website. Therefore, I will not count seats like TX-21 as they are not accepted to be comeptitive.
ALABAMA (5 Republicans, 2 Democrats) None of the Republicans appear to be vulnerable. This delegation stays with the Republicans.
ALASKA (1 Republican) While we had a good run at a Senate seat last year and possibly have a shot at the Governor's mansion, there appears to be no challenge to the lone representative
ARIZONA (6 Republicans, 2 Democrats) We can take this delegation by winning in the 1st, 5th, and 8th districts. The first is going to be tough as Rick Renzi coasted to victory in 2004 and there seems to be no Democratic making waves, but it is a marginal district nationally. We have a strong challenger in Harry Mitchell in the 5th. The 8th district is rated a "toss up" and narrowly went for Bush in 2004.
ARKANSAS (1 Republican, 3 Democrats) The delegation seems poised to remain in our hands.
CALIFORNIA (20 Republicans, 33 Democrats) This delegation will remain in our hands. We can further our majority with wins in the 4th, 11th, 41st, and 50th.
COLORADO (4 Republicans, 3 Democrats) We can take this delegation with a win in the 7th. A win in the 4th is possible, also.
CONNECTICUT (3 Republicans, 2 Democrats) Wins in either the 2nd, 4th, or 5th will give us the delegation.
DELAWARE (1 Republican) Despite the fact that the state has gone Democratic in the past four elections, I've heard little talk of the Republican representative being vulnerable.
FLORIDA (18 Republicans, 7 Democrats) Those numbers aren't good for this critical swing state. However, we can make them better with wins in the 8th, 9th, 13th, 16th, and 22nd. I like a 13 to 12 split much better.
GEORGIA (7 Republicans, 6 Democrats) At this point, the best we can hope for is the keep the one vote deficit by re-electing John Barrow and Jim Marshall.
Hawaii (2 Democrats) It looks like we'll keep the edge.
Idaho (2 Republicans) Cook seems to be the only one who thinks we have a shot at the open seat in the 1st. The best we can hope for is a split.
ILLINOIS (9 Republicans, 10 Democrats) Melissa Bean gave us the edge in 2004. To keep the majority, we need a win in at least two of the following: 6th, 8th, 10th, 11th, and 17th. Obviously, we have the chance to add as many as three more seats to our majority.
INDIANA (7 Republicans, 2 Democrats) Wins in the 2nd, 8th, and 9th will give us a one vote majority.
IOWA (4 Republicans, 1 Democrat) We can take the majority by defending Boswell in the 3rd, defeating Leach in the 2nd, and taking the open seat in the 1st.
KANSAS (3 Republicans, 1 Democrat) We need to keep our lone Democrat, Dennis Moore, there.
KENTUCKY (5 Republicans, 1 Democrat) We have a shot at taking as much as a 4 to 2 majority with wins in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
LOUISIANA (5 Republicans, 2 Democrats) Both Democrats are vulnerable while none of the Republicans seem to be.
MAINE (2 Democrats) Both Democrats will win re-election.
MARYLAND (2 Republicans, 6 Democrats) This delegation looks to remain in our hands.
MASSACHUSETTS (10 Democrats) All ten Democrats will be re-elected.
MICHIGAN (9 Republicans, 6 Democrats) I haven't heard much about any of the seats being vulnerable.
MINNESOTA (4 Republicans, 4 Democrats) Wins in the 1st and/or 2nd and/or 6th will give us the majority.
MISSISSIPPI (2 Republicans, 2 Democrats) With Mississippi's political leanings, we should feel fortunate to have a split. No change
MISSOURI (5 Republicans, 4 Democrats) All seats look to be safe.
MONTANA (1 Republican) No one seems to think we have a shot at beating the lone Representative.
NEBRASKA (3 Republicans) Despite some rumblings about a Democrat taking the open seat in the 3rd, the race isn't listed. Regardless, we won't have this delegation.
NEVADA (2 Republicans, 1 Democrat) Both Republican seats (2nd and 3rd districts) look to be vulnerable. Either one gives us the majority.
NEW HAMPSHIRE (2 Republicans) Both seats are ripe for a Democratic takeoever.
NEW JERSEY (6 Republicans, 7 Democrats) A win in the 7th gives us a two vote majority.
NEW MEXICO (2 Republicans, 1 Democrat) Beating Heather Wilson in the 1st gives us the majority.
NEW YORK (9 Republicans, 20 Democrats) We will keep the majority. We can expand it with wins in the 19th, 20th, 24th, 25th, 26th, and 29th.
NORTH CAROLINA (7 Republicans, 6 Democrats) We can take the majority with wins in the 8th and/or 11th.
NORTH DAKOTA (1 Democrat) Earl Pomeroy needs to be re-elected.
OHIO (12 Republicans, 6 Democrats) We need to defend the open seats in the 6th and 13th and secure wins in the 1st, 15th, and 18th to secure a one vote deficit.
OKLAHOMA (4 Republicans, 1 Democrat) Those numbers look like they'll stay that way.
OREGON (1 Republican, 4 Democrats) Darlene Hooley may be vulnerable but regardless, we'll keep the majority.
PENNSYLVANIA (12 Republicans, 7 Democrats) We have a shot at reversing the numbers with wins in the 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 10th.
RHODE ISLAND (2 Democrats) Depite Patrick Kennedy's problems, I don't see those numbers changing.
SOUTH CAROLINA (4 Republicans, 2 Democrats) Our goal should be to defend Jim Spratt in the 5th.
SOUTH DAKOTA (1 Democrat) Stephanie Herseth may be vulnerable but everyone seems to think she'll win.
TENNESSEE (4 Republicans, 5 Democrats) Despite my wish to see that Marsha Blackburn lose, the numbers like to stay this way.
TEXAS (21 Republicans, 11 Democrats) We have a shot at gaining a vote by taking the 22nd while defending the 17th. But we will still be in the minority.
UTAH (2 Republicans, 1 Democrat) We should hope to keep it that way.
VERMONT (1 Independent/Quasi-Democrat) We need to keep this seat in the caucus.
VIRGINIA (8 Republicans, 3 Democrats) We have a shot at beating Thelma Drake (2nd district) but the Republicans will keep the delegation.
WASHINGTON (3 Republicans, 6 Democrats) We can add to our majority by taking the 8th district)
WEST VIRGINIA (1 Republican, 2 Democrats) We have to defend the 3rd but have a chance to take the 2nd.
WISCONSIN (4 Republicans, 4 Democrats) We can take the majority with a win in the 8th.
WYOMING (1 Republican) We just might have a shot at taking this seat.