Pelosi: Claims about GOP midterm momentum are 'hype and hyperbole'

Republican claims about increased momentum for this year's midterm elections are just "hype and hyperbole," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) claimed Friday.

In a fundraising e-mail to Democratic supporters, Pelosi said that the Democratic agenda is moving the country forward and the Democrats toward victory this fall.

"Republicans are in full-blown 'spin mode' attacking the president and claiming he has lost support," she wrote. "But that is just hype and hyperbole. You and I know better — together we are moving America forward."

Pelosi's claims come as Republicans and Democrats have begun the beginning of this election year sparring over which party is in worse condition. The e-mail was circulated by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC).

Republicans have cited falling polling approval ratings for the president as well as weakened polling numbers on key issues such as healthcare reform. As a result, most Republican leaders have claimed they can take back the House as early as this year.

Democrats are banking on the passage of healthcare reform legislation as well as a renewed focus on job creation and budget cuts to propel them toward victory in the fall. 

Both parties have also sparred over how retirements will affect their ability to win races in the fall. Ten Democrats have announced their retirements so far, as opposed to 13 GOPers.

Though it will affect the upper chamber, the hotly contested Massachusetts special Senate election to be held Tuesday will likely be judged as a bellwether of voters' attitudes heading closer to the main election season.