By Bob Von Sternberg

Despite widespread predictions to the contrary, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee predicted Wednesday that the party will retain its House of Representatives majority come Nov. 2.

"I still think we'll hold onto the House," Tim Kaine said after a get-out-the-vote rally held at a Dinkytown diner. "We are going to lose some seats, but we're going to pick up some seats."

Conceding that "it's going to be a challenge, but the polls are generally moving in the right direction for Democrats these days," Kaine added, "look, we can't take anything for granted this cycle."

Not exactly a surprising sentiment by the Democrats' chief cheerleader, who was making his second visit to the Twin Cities in the past six weeks, largely to boost the gubernatorial candidacy of Mark Dayton. After realizing that a DFLer hasn't won the governor's office since 1986, Kaine said he concluded, "huh, we ought to be able to win a governors' race here."

Kaine, who was born in St. Paul, fired up a few dozen University of Minnesota students, who headed out to door-knock and sign up prospective voters. "Now is the time for blue Minnesota to put a Democrat in the governor's mansion," he told them."

Fifth District Rep. Keith Ellison also tried to light a fire with the students. "Let me tell you, the fact is that two years ago, we changed the guard in Washington," he said. "Now that we have changed the guard, we have to guard that change."

After the brief rally, Kaine was attending a fundraiser for the party Wednesday night.

(Update from Rachel E. Stassen-Berger) While Kaine said the Democrats will keep their grasp on the House, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican, said the Republican Party will "certainly" be in control of that body come next year.

"I have a very strong opinion that the Republicans will easily take control of the US house and come close in the Senate," he said Wednesday.

Pawlenty was less assured that Republicans would oust sitting Democratic Reps. Tim Walz and Jim Oberstar in southern Minnesota and the Iron Range, respectively.

"On those two races I think it is close. It is possible but I just can't make a guarantee, like I did when I said 'certainly,'" Pawlenty said.