By Baird Helgeson
Republican U.S. Rep. John Kline said he is hopeful that his party will regain control of the U.S. House in the next election. Meeting with reporters Tuesday, Kline said growing unease with Democrats over the proposed health care overhaul, a soaring deficit and cap-and-trade legislation could result in big wins for Republicans in 2010. A few political observers are starting to predict that Republicans could regain the majority in the House, Kline said. "That's a dream that very few of us could have six months ago and it's a dream now that is starting to have legs, " Kline said. "My colleagues and I are starting to talk about regaining the House in a serious way." From Hawaii to Maine, concern about Democratic leadership will "bring districts in play that were not in play six months ago," he said. Kline predicts Minnesota Republican congressional representatives Michele Bachmann and Erik Paulsen will win re-election. In his own re-election effort, Kline said he's already raised more than $600,000 and expects to spend at least $1.5 million by the end of the campaign. "We are starting the steps to get ready for an election year," he said. So far, Apple Valley Democrat Shelly Madore and Dan Powers, a Democratic building contractor, have announced they will run for the seat.
Kline didn't fully dash speculation he might be eyeing a 2012 U.S. Senate run. "It's highly unlikely, but it's a long way off," he said. Kline said he wasn't sure what will happen with the proposed health care overhaul making its way through Congress. "My crystal ball is entirely broken on this thing," he said. He remains opposed to the overhaul and doesn't think the version in the Senate will get a single Republican vote if it comes back to the House. "That's a fight still coming," he said. "Believe me, we are going to engage in the fight."
