The week in politics: Democrats feel the #39;Obama effect #39;
USA TODAY #39;s Paul Singer breaks down this week #39;s top political headlines. This week, there #39;s a big lead in a Colorado poll, Obama may be hurting his party com...
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The week in politics: Democrats feel the 'Obama effect' - Video
Is the #39;War on Women #39; Backfiring for Democrats?
With just over two weeks until the midterm elections, the "This Week" powerhouse roundtable discusses key battleground Senate races and the latest polling numbers for 2016.
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Is the 'War on Women' Backfiring for Democrats? - Video
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Washington (CNN) -- The number making Mike Podhorzer anxious these days is 15.
That's the lead Democrats have over Republicans among working class voters in the final days of the 2014 midterm elections, according to his polling at the AFL-CIO, the nation's largest labor federation. That might seem good for Democrats, but in modern times, the party always wins voters making $50,000 or less.
For Podhorzer, the AFL-CIO's political director and one of the Democratic party's top thinkers on voter turnout, it's the spread that matters.
"Democratic victories are powered by the votes of the people who are more financially stressed," Podhorzer said in an interview with CNN at the labor federation's Washington offices, just up the street from the White House. "That's been the case going back to the New Deal. When working class people turn out and vote Democratic, that more than compensates for the advantage that Republicans have among upper income voters."
READ: CNN poll: Voters are angry
In other words, with GOP dependably winning upper-income Americans, it's up to Democrats to run up the numbers with downscale voters, who made up about 40% of the electorate in the last election.
When Democrats clobber Republicans nationally among working class voters as they did by 22 points in 2012 they win. When the margin is tighter it was only an 11-point win for Democrats in 2010 they lose.
The 55-40 lead Democrats are clinging to among people making under $50,000 is wider than the 50-39 lead they had earlier this summer, making this year's outcome harder to predict. Podhorzer said it does explain why Democrats are still in the hunt heading into next Tuesday, suggesting that next week's election won't resemble the GOP tidal wave of 2010.
But it still makes him nervous.
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The magic number for Democrats
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ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Democrats seeking to maintain control of Minnesotas House of Representatives have a hefty cash advantage heading into the elections closing days.
Fundraising reports released Tuesday show House Democrats campaign arm had more than $1 million on hand as of Oct. 20 five times as much as House Republicans, who need to win seven seats to retake the majority. Democrats fundraising and spending on House races has nearly doubled the GOPs.
Meanwhile, outside groups on each side have spent millions to shore up support for their partys candidates or rip their opponents.
Money advantages dont always equal victory, but the cash is vital for getting messages out with ads, direct mail and door-to-door ground support.
HOUSE CONTROL:
Democrats trying to hold onto their majority are defending more than a dozen incumbents, many in conservative-leaning areas.
To that end, the DFL House Caucus has spent nearly $3.2 million, compared with the $1.8 million spent by the House GOPs campaign arm. House Democrats outraised Republicans by a more than 2-to-1 margin, according to fundraising reports.
The money from both ends is flowing predominantly into Democratic-held districts, with as many as 20 in play this year. Only a few Republican-held seats are deemed competitive.
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Democrats Have Money Edge For House Control Fight
Democrats see a bright spot in Georgia. With polls showing a close race, Democratic candidate Michelle Nunn has the chance to win a seat currently held by a Republican, giving her party a much needed opportunity to preserve their majority in the Senate.
Like many Senate races around the country, Nunn must first overcome being tied to President Barack Obama who is unpopular in the state. She is doing that by switching her attention away from herself and highlighting her opponents background as a business executive.
Perdue has come under fire for saying in a deposition in 2005 that he spent most of his career outsourcing jobs, a phrase he recently defended.
As NBC News pointed out, thats a salient argument in a state with the highest unemployment rate in the country.
Thats right, under oath David Perdue admitted he spent most of his career outsourcing jobs overseas to places like China and Mexico, the narrator says in one of Nunns ads attacking Perdue.
Perdue, meanwhile, is now trying to reverse the stigma as a wealthy, out of touch executive. He released an ad Saturday that portrays him as someone who understands the challenges of the middle class while insisting Nunn doesnt.
Like you, David Perdue believes President Obama and Michelle Nunns policies are taking our country in the wrong direction, the narrator says.
The catch with Georgia, however, is that one candidate has to receive more than 50 percent of the vote on November 4th or the race goes to a runoff on January 6 after the new Senate is sworn in.
Polls are showing the race between Nunn and Perdue extremely close with both candidates polling in the mid 40 percent range. Third party candidate, Libertarian Amanda Swafford, is polling around 4 percent.
A gubernatorial race is also playing out in Georgia, also with a famous family name. Jason Carter, President Jimmy Carters grandson, is trying to unseat incumbent Republican Nathan Deal. Carter could get a boost from the get out the vote efforts and other resources national Democrats are giving to Nunn. But this race could go to a runoff, too.
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In Georgia Democrats Have a Shot at a Win