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Listen Story audio 4min 4sec Peterson, Franken, and WalzScott Takushi / The St. Paul Pioneer Press via AP

Some Minnesota congressional Democrats seem surprisingly optimistic about losing power.

Republicans will control the U.S. House and Senate next year and no politician wants to be in the minority. But members on both sides of the aisle expect a degree of stability now that the GOP will run both houses. That may open new opportunities to work together.

The GOP plans to look for issues that at least some Democrats are likely to support, said 3rd District GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen.

High on Paulsen's list is a repeal of the medical device tax that's part of the Affordable Care Act.

Even though Democrats generally oppose making changes to the law, undoing the tax is one provision that's gathered bipartisan support.

"I think the philosophy that our leadership has is that we're going to start producing legislation and looking for opportunities to show that we can govern and get some things done," Paulsen said.

As the recent vote to fund the government made clear, there are deep splits within both parties deep enough that some DFLers see an opening.

"Sometimes in the minority you actually have more leverage than you might otherwise," said 1st District DFL Rep. Tim Walz. He thinks GOP House Speaker John Boehner may try to push legislation that won't have the support of tea party-allied Republicans.

"They're going to need some moderates to help them out on some things, and I think that's a role that we play well," Walz said. "That's what my constituents want me to do."

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Out of power, MN congressional Democrats see room to maneuver