Democratic chair pleads for outside cash

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel told reporters Wednesday that he is “frustrated” that his party’s outside groups have not supported House Democrats on television in the final stretch of the midterms.

Many big Democratic players – such as environmental and labor groups – focused their financial firepower on the Senate, which is in play this cycle. This has caused increased anxiety among House Democrats, who also face losses in 2014.

House Democrats must pick up a net of 17 seats to win control of the House, but it’s increasingly likely the party will lose seats in that chamber this cycle. For the first time, Israel made a public plea to outside groups for their help.

“It is frustrating that the cavalry that has always been there doesn’t seem to be there,” the New York Democrat said. Republicans immediately dismissed Israel’s comments on outside groups.

“Chairman Israel needs to stop the Washington blame game and admit that President Obama and his devastating policies are casting a large shadow over the landscape for House Democrats,” Republican spokeswoman Andrea Bozek said in a statement.