'Wow, we're blown away!': Obama's call to action spurs Dems to eye 13 red seats

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee says it's been floored by momentum following a call to action from former President Barack Obama — and new data from political experts may explain the excitement.

"WOW, we're blown away!" the DCCC wrote to supporters Tuesday, citing analysis from the Cook Political Report showing Democrats are on the verge of flipping 13 vulnerable Republican-held House seats.

Obama had urged Democrats to focus their energy on reclaiming the House majority. "It's going to take all of us to protect our democracy," the former president said.

The DCCC says the targeted seats are spread across battleground states including Pennsylvania, Iowa and Arizona — districts Democrats believe are winnable if they can capitalize on what the committee is calling a "once-in-a-generation" opportunity to retake the chamber.

Standing in the way: Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republicans, who the DCCC says have already raised $182 million to hold their majority.

Democrats are framing the race as urgent, pointing to the Cook Political Report's assessment as validation that the playing field has shifted meaningfully in their favor. If the projections hold, flipping those 13 seats would be enough to end Republican control of the House.

Obama's involvement adds a high-profile dimension to what has otherwise been a grinding, district-by-district effort. His message — focused on democratic norms rather than party mechanics — signals that Democratic leadership views 2026 as more than a typical midterm cycle.

The DCCC's breathless tone reflects the pressure both parties are feeling as competitive districts come into sharper focus heading into the fall.