(AP) — Democratic Party Chairman Tim Kaine says he believes his party's candidates will do well in the November elections despite two unexpected retirements because "there's a really corrosive civil war going on" in the Republican Party.

Asked to assess his party's prospects for keeping comfortable majorities in Congress, Gov. Kaine said Thursday he believes the health care overhaul will be passed will "create a real tail wind for the president and the party."

Appearing on CBS's "The Early Show," Kaine called the retirements of Democratic Sens. Christopher Dodd and Byron Dorgan surprising, but said that ideological differences within the GOP are harming its prospects. He acknowledged the economy must get better in order for Democrats to have the best chance in the mid-term elections.

Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week. Credit: Randee Daddona, Gary Licker, Anthony Santino

Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep 4: Top football teams in action, fantasy update and plays of the week Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week.

Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week. Credit: Randee Daddona, Gary Licker, Anthony Santino

Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep 4: Top football teams in action, fantasy update and plays of the week Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week.

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