Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean predicted Sunday that Democrats will fare better than expected this November, urging them to put aside their differences and “let’s win.”

“I think we’re going to be in a lot better shape than a lot of people think on the pundit side,” Dean said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

Dean said Democrats have “better candidates” than Republicans, adding that as long as the party sticks together and fights, it will win Nov. 2.

He also defended the leadership of President Barack Obama, with whom he has been known to differ on issues such as health care reform.

“We can’t get anything done if we don’t have a Democratic president and Democratic House and Democratic Senate. … Republicans have proved that they are the party of no,” Dean said.

Still, Dean was realistic about the challenges ahead.

When asked whether Democrats would retain majorities in the House and Senate on Nov. 2, Dean said he would “bet money on the Senate for sure.” Dean was less confident about the House, saying that although he believes Democrats would keep control, they would be reduced to “perhaps a five- or 10-seat majority.”

“The House is much tougher,” he said.

“We’re going to have some pickups, we’re going to have some losses,” Dean added. “At the end of the day I think we control both houses.”