Axelrod: Winning Republicans Avoided Republican Message

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: 2009 Elections

(AP)

In an interview with CBS News White House correspondent Peter Maer, Senior White House Adviser David Axelrod said that the two Republican gubernatorial candidates who won yesterday avoided what he called "the Palin/Pawlenty scorched earth platform" of Washington Republicans.

"I don't think the Republicans ran particularly on a Republican message in Virginia and New Jersey," Axelrod said, arguing that the most important lesson from yesterday's contests is that "their party is deeply divided."

Axelrod described New Jersey Republican Chris Christie and Virginia Republican Bob McDonnell as "moderate or moderate sounding" candidates who avoided "the themes that you hear from Washington Republicans."

The GOP-backed candidate who lost, conservative party candidate Doug Hoffman (who was running for an upstate New York House seat), is the one who embraced those themes, he said.

"They've got a deep problem in their party, and they better heal it or they're going to continue to lose market share," argued Axelrod.

Listen to the interview

The White House adviser said the House race, in which the moderate Republican candidate, Dede Scozzafava, withdrew amid poor poll and fundraising numbers, was "telling and instructive" because it showed how a "civil war" had erupted in the Republican Party.

Axelrod said the message to moderate Republicans from the contest was that "there's no place for you in this party." He pointed to the fact that Tim Pawlenty, the potential 2012 GOP presidential candidate, had been critical of moderate Maine Republican Olympia Snowe as further evidence.

The Democrat acknowledged that "turnout was not good" in New Jersey and Virginia but argued that the results don't have "great predicative value in terms of looking at future elections."

"There was great enthusiasm about the race that centered on national issues," he said in reference to the House race. "Not so much so state races. And those races were very much determined by how people related to candidates and factors that were local in nature."

"Corzine's vote was higher than his job approval rating, and he was 15 points behind in the summer, so I think the president ended up rallying the troops," added Axelrod.

He said he hoped Democrats would look to the race run by Democrat Bill Owens, who defeated Hoffman for the House seat, for guidance.

Owens "ran on the Obama platform and got elected," Axelrod said, saying he hopes Democrats "will be encouraged by that."

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by truth-b-toll November 4, 2009 10:45 PM EST: Nevermind that MADMAN behind the curtain...; Reply to this comment

by starleo146 November 4, 2009 8:05 PM EST

by gbdmd November 4, 2009 6:29 PM EST
How does a local election have anything to do with the national scene man these republicans will grab on to anything. One paid 100million to get elected. overrode term limits who said you can't buy your way int politics

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by watchdogtexas November 5, 2009 9:28 AM EST: Ummm, I wounder how the liberals would spin if they would have won. They are scared, they lost two democratic states, but they now denial is the best medicine.


by starleo146 November 4, 2009 8:05 PM EST: by gbdmd November 4, 2009 6:29 PM EST
How does a local election have anything to do with the national scene man these republicans will grab on to anything. One paid 100million to get elected. overrode term limits who said you can't buy your way int politics; Reply to this comment


by ctb4679 November 4, 2009 8:04 PM EST: Axelrod should worry about Democrats who are fed up and disalusioned about Nobama. I'm very sorry I voted for Obama. Obama lied, Obama is not about change. He's a wishy-washy, timid, foolish person who has not acted like a president. He doesn't know how to lead a pony, let alone Congress, let alone America. I should have voted for Hillary (and Bill, her shadow candidate). They have guts, Obama doesn't. Obama wouldn't go out on a limb politically if his life depended on it, and he sure didn't put out for American citizens for health care reform. He kisses the you-know-whats of Republicans and they are laughing all the way to the 2010 and 2012 elections. Obama should push through a gov. option, single payer health care system with 51 votes and then he may win back his real base. Was I dreaming during the 2008 election?? There was this cool guy who promised CHANGE but that guy has totally disappeared, and I mean totally. He doesn't realize that consensus isn't the goal, it's only one way to reach a goal, and the main thing is to carry the ball across the goal line, any way that's legal!! If he would only lead, then he might gain some followers--but all he knows how to do is beg! Change has never come to America through timid, foolish, invisible presidents. Change has only come to America through presidents who were courageous and unafraid to stand alone if necessary, hated by many, yet they put through real change. Obama should take a lesson from FDR and Johnson. And even Churchill, while I'm at it.; Reply to this comment

by stn_sage November 4, 2009 7:23 PM EST

As an Independent, Axelrod's comments sound like a bunch of whining to me!

It's not necessary to alibi, excuse-monger, and spin the results of last night's elections!

The Democrats SHOULD know what they need to do to retain control...that is, do their bloody jobs!

Start fulfilling some of those MANY promises that haven't been acted upon yet! If you do, results should be good. If you don't, more of you will be 'retired' next year at this time through the elections!

Finally, White House staff would be better off to SHUT THEIR MOUTHS!
They're looking like a bunch of cry-babies and whiners!

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by ToolMangler1 November 4, 2009 8:18 PM EST: Yeah!!!
It's Ok for Fox, Limbaugh and the GOP to whine about "Obama selling us out", But the DEMS had better keep their mouths shut if they know whats good for them!!!!! RIGHT!!!!!!!

ROFLOL

by bradkt1 November 4, 2009 7:15 PM EST

OK neocons....which of yesterday's successful GOP candidates ran on a social conservative platform?

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by alanrobisch November 4, 2009 7:50 PM EST: Christie and McDonnell. In fact McDonnell ran into fire over a paper he wrote that was considered anti-woman. they are both social conservatives. I think it was the economy that drove the defeat of corzine. He had only a 37% approval rating and if it were not for the monolithic support by blacks it would have been a landslide. 2/3rd's of all white voters voted against him


by whosaid1 November 4, 2009 5:43 PM EST: "They've got a deep problem in their party, and they better heal it or they're going to continue to lose market share," argued Axelrod.

Wow...sounds like he is really concerned about the Republican party. Who is this hack!!!???? He can't open his mouth without saying something ridiculous , and/or stupid!; Reply to this comment

by formerdem-2009 November 4, 2009 5:34 PM EST

LOL Nice try Axelboob But americans are seeing Obi-wans true colors now and you and your media lapdogs can spin it all you want but the only ones bying now are your democrapic sheeple. It will be one and out for the golden boy!! hopefully there will be be remnants of this great country left when you and your incompetent boss are done.

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by gbdmd November 4, 2009 6:29 PM EST: "hopefully there will be be remnants of this great country left when you and your incompetent boss are done."

...and exactly what condition was this country in when Bush left office? I guess you don't remember the loss of several million jobs... on Bush's watch. I guess you don't remember the housing crisis... on Bush's watch. I guess you don't remember the more the 700 Billion dollar bank bailout... on Bush's watch. I guess you don't remember that this country started two, count 'em... two wars... on Bush's watch. The credit crisis, the bankruptcy of the largest banks in American history, a complete and total economic meltdown, more than 4,000 American soldiers dead, and of course... September 11th. All on Bush's watch.

I am one American that is more than grateful that George Bush didn't have even more day in office.