(CNN) - As the prospect of a power shift in the House of Representatives becomes more viable, the fundraising arm of House Democrats e-mailed its supporters Wednesday with a fundraising appeal from a Democrat who needed no help fundraising for his own election.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has enlisted President Obama to help raise $1 million before the Federal Election Commission deadline for reporting August fundraising totals passes on August 31.

"I know what a difference grassroots support can make in a tough fight," Obama writes. "In the same way that you helped me defy the pundits and stand strong against the attacks from those who wish to protect the status quo, I need your help to make a difference right now to retain a Democratic House."

Predictably, Obama did express confidence that Democrats would maintain their majority.

"Make no mistake about it. Democrats will retain the House of Representatives this year, as long as you continue working to help them win," Obama said.

The National Republican Congressional Committee fired back on Wednesday.

"The President is asking for money so House Democrats can attempt to defend the indefensible on the campaign trail," NRCC spokesman Ken Spain told CNN. "All of the money in the world won't make their failed economic policies work nor will it change the unacceptably high unemployment rate or shrink the ever-growing deficit."

The NRCC out-raised the DCCC in July, marking the fourth consecutive month it has done so. The Democratic committee, however, has more than $13 million more cash on hand than its Republican counterpart.

The non-partisan Rothenberg Political Report projects Republican gains of 28-33 seats in the House, but notes that "considerably larger gains in excess of 40 seats are quite possible." Meanwhile, the non-partisan Cook Political Report projects GOP gains of 35-45 seats. Republicans need to pick up 39 seats to regain control of the lower chamber.