House GOP Fears Further Defeats

Party Leadership Tries To Regroup After Third Special Election Loss This Year

(AP)  Stunned House Republicans vowed campaign changes Wednesday and debated the wisdom of attacking Democratic presidential front-runner Barack Obama in congressional races after their third straight election defeat in once-friendly territory.

"The political atmosphere ... is the worst since Watergate and far more toxic than the fall of 2006 when we lost 30 seats," Rep. Tom Davis of Virginia wrote the leadership in a bluntly worded memo.

"Clearly, I think we've got to do a better job" going into the November elections, said the Republican leader, Rep. John Boehner, one day after Democrat Travis Childers won a Mississippi congressional victory. That seat had been in Republican hands since the 1994 landslide that swept the GOP into power.

Several lawmakers and aides said a change was possible but far from certain at the National Republican Congressional Committee, where Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole is chairman. Party leaders also said they were on the verge of distributing a campaign season manifesto to their rank and file setting out conservative positions on taxes and other issues.

Davis, a former chairman of the campaign committee who is retiring at the end of this year, noted that polls show Americans overwhelmingly believe the country is headed down the wrong track, President Bush is unpopular, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee enjoyed a cash advantage of $44 million to $7 million as of March 31.

Childers' victory came one week after Rep. Don Cazayoux won a House seat in the Baton Rouge, La., area that had been in Republican hands for three decades. Over the winter, Rep. Bill Foster won an election in Illinois to succeed former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, who had been in Congress more than 20 years.

All three races were necessitated by resignations by incumbent Republicans.

Childers and Cazayoux both ran as conservatives, but Republicans and their allies sought to link them to Obama in television commercials. In both cases, some Republicans said the tactic appeared to backfire, prompting blacks to turn out in unexpectedly large numbers and vote for the Democrats.

One-third of the population in the Louisiana district and one-quarter of the population in the Mississippi district is black.

"We're not going to be able to scare people into voting Republicans by being against Barack Obama. You have to have a relevant agenda and a compelling reason to vote Republican," said Rep. Chip Pickering, R-Miss.

Yet other Republicans said Obama's record, which they describe as liberal, is fair game for the fall campaign. "It's very legitimate, parts of his vision and his agenda that the American people need to be aware of," said Rep. Adam Putnam of Florida, a member of the party leadership.

In Louisiana, Freedom's Watch, an independent group that promotes Republicans, had run an ad that said Cazayoux is "with Barack Obama for a big government scheme" for health insurance. "Their plan raises income taxes and raises taxes on small business," it said.

The NRCC broadcast an advertisement that said Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi represent "a radical agenda, very different from Louisiana's values."

In Louisiana, Cazayoux countered with recorded telephone calls by Michelle Obama that were placed into thousands of homes in black portions of the district in the final stages of the campaign.

In Mississippi, Freedom's Watch and the GOP challenger, Greg Davis, both used Obama in their television commercials.

Davis' ad was by far the more pointed.

"Obama says, 'Childers will put progress before politics,"' it said. "But, when Obama's pastor cursed America, blaming us for 9/11, Childers said nothing. When Obama ridiculed rural folks for clinging to guns and religion Childers said nothing.

"Travis Childers, he took Obama's endorsement over our conservative values."

Cole, like other Republicans mulling the results, said the voters had sent Republicans a message that said, "We want to know what you believe in, what you want to fight for."

In all three races, Republicans said the losses could be traced largely to local factors. They said the party was divided in Illinois, for example, a weak candidate was on the ballot in Louisiana and regional differences hampered Davis in Mississippi.

At the same time, the cumulative effect of the loss of three seats in special elections was a significant blow to a party that is still adjusting to its loss of power in the 2006 midterm elections.

"They are canaries in the coal mine, warning of far greater losses in the fall, if steps are not taken to remedy the current climate," Davis wrote in his memo.

Childers' victory leaves Republicans with only 199 seats, compared with 236 for the Democrats. Adding to the short-term GOP difficulties, Rep. Vito Fossella, R-N.Y., married with kids, is privately weighing his future after acknowledging recently that he fathered a child out of wedlock.

Numerous Republicans have said they hope Fossella will resign or at least retire. But given the party's financial problems, several senior GOP aides want him to remain in Congress until July 1. That would eliminate the need for yet another special election, this time in the country's most expensive media market.

[noloyalisti]

The conservative and Greasy Old Pervert party ideology is a complete failure. What do these slimewads expect? Run over everything and everyone in their paths and expect us to take it. Tsk, tsk, they are even more ignorant and depraved than I even thought. Wow!!!!

[Renegade.Rivers]

Anyone that believes that the Democrats are going to save America is living on false hope. Of course, neither are the Republicans. The American people have been backed into a corner, there is no middle ground, where both sides are fairly represented. Instead what we have is two political parties of extremes. The extreme left and the extreme right. Unfortunately, both are part of the ruling elite that desires to take away the rights that we have been afforded by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

[Renegade.Rivers]

I will never vote for Obama, I have seen what he has done in both the senate, and while in office in Illinois, and there is nothing positive in what he has done. He has missed many votes while in office, and voted present in even more, in order to not ruffle feathers. Because of this he has any no record to stand on is, and as a voter there is no reason to believe that he has any actual leadership ability. On top of that he has made ever effort to conceal his muslim ties, and the fact that he was educated in a Madrassa, or Muslim seminary. There is much more, if anyone cares to look at the facts, but as usual the American people are to lazy to search for the truth, and believe only what they are spoon fed by the corporate media.

This is not to say that I believe either Billary, or McInsane would be any better, no would I vote for either of them. I only hope that there will be an candidate that will step forward and run on an independent ticket that actually has some real American values, and has the interest of country and the American people at heart.

[Renegade.Rivers]

Rep. Tom Davis of Virginia is a RACIST as displayed in his letter yesterday with his "tar baby" and his misspelled Barack name. The GOP is getting exactly what it deserves as they have done NOTHING over the last 8 years except serve themselves plenty of the publics'''' money and screw the people of this country. them. Enough is enough and the public has had ENOUGH!

Posted by ObamasLady
---------------------------------------------------
Obama is a liar, and a racist as well.

Reference: On page 229 in his book "Dreams of My Father."

Barack Obama writes, "there were no cigar chomping crackers like Beau Connor (ph) out there."

To call a white man a cracker is just about as racist as one can get.

[jeffstersf]

Small-minded Republican values are kaput, and here''s why:

There are basically two kinds of people: those who live their lives in an essentially selfish manner and feel guilty about it. They%u2019re called liberals. And those who live their lives in an essentially selfish manner and are proud of it. They%u2019re called conservatives. The first may be capable, on occasion, of responding to an ideal higher than their own self-interest; the second don%u2019t even know that such things exist.

After the debacle of the last 8 years, folks are ready to set aside hatred and work for a common good. If we don''t, the planet is hosed.

Obama ''08!

[hungry1968]

I can''t wait for the real pieces of *****, like John Boehner to lose their seats.

AND THEN, I''d REALLY like to see the whole lobbyist system outlawed, leaving all of these politicians without their financial crutches.

[walt1944-2009]

Back in 1968, the country was caught up in an unpopular war that seemed to never end in a country called Viet Nam. Back then the Democrats had control of the government and were doing little to try and bring the war to an end, claiming "if we don''t stop the Reds in Viet Nam, we''ll be fighting them here!".

The Republicans, though, got into power not just because the Democrats were so badly fractured on Viet Nam, but because the GOP promised they would end the war. Result? The war dragged on for 5 more years and was even expanded into Cambodia. It took Watergate to end the war and bring the soldiers home where they WEREN''T WELCOMED BACK!

Does all this sound familiar?

There IS a lot of truth in the old saying: "Those who don''t learn from history, are sure to repeat it!". Only this time, it''s the GOP who hasn''t learned a thing, and maybe doesn''t want to!

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!!
sig heil, DEFINITELY MORE OF THE SAME, McCain!!!!

[veteran72]

As the sun sets on the GOPerv Party of Wide-Stance Toe-Tappers and War Criminals, the American Public gives a sigh of relief and a harty, "Go F**KKK Yourselves, Scumbags"!!!

It''s going to be a massacre of Historic Proportions come November......ya'' gotta love those clueless Crooks in the Neocon Nazi Party.........
What a bunch of Dumbassses......LMMFAO....

[skyk-2009]

Typical scams from a woman named Clinton and newbie called Obama who know how to lie like the experts they are- Denial and gullibility are traits Americans are perfecting. You think Bush is a liar- just vote for either of the two Democrats- that have you so convinced "change" is coming for ''''''''the good''''''''- your head will spin worse than the media does. lol.




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Posted by jack3213 at 08:53 AM : May 15, 2008
+ report abuse

Do you folks EVER change your attack mentality? YOU, not the Democrats Promised solutions to Social Security, Health Care, Medicare, the War and on and on. YOU not the democrats took a balanced budget and surplus and turned it into a debt no one can count. Now when you look at reality and fact, it''s hard to see how anyone could have failed their duties under the Constitution MORE than the Republican Party when it come''s to OVERSITE and I still have the speech given by Bush when he FORCED those inspectors out of Iraq. So what do you come on here selling? Same tired old lines you have sold for decades.... decades that have seen MILLIONS of American''s forced to work two jobs because of badly negotiated trade deals. Decades of promises to make health care "More affordable". Decades of "We''ll cut Spending, just not tell you where". I don''t like to insult anyone or their opinion but I hardly think ragging on the OTHER side is going to cut it this time.

[lorinkundert]

You GOP congressmen caused this by your inaction and by blindly following George Bush, I understand why the Democrats haven''t kept their promises seeing that they have millions of dollars invested in the defense contractors supplying the war effort.

[skyk-2009]

Nobody''''s stopping you from living in your alternative universe. Enjoy.


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Posted by mudrose at 09:05 AM : May 15, 2008
+ report abuse

EXACTLY what did he post that was in an "alternate universe"? You and people like you have been on here pounding anyone who will not march to the "Party''s" view. You call anyone who dares oppose Bush a "Liberal", making it a bad word. You insult, put down and in general try to make anyone who can''t "see the light" of the Republican way as small as you can. It''s only natural they pound you into dust when you fail as the Republican''s have in the last 8 years.

[likeitis5050]

"Clearly, I think we''ve got to do a better job" going into the November elections,


Ya think???? Thought lessons would have been internalized after the Dems got spanked in the last election...but guess not!!! Politicians are an arrogant bunch...party affiliation aside....they just believe to their core that they are invincible and can do as they please for as long as they please because...let''s face it...who knows more about what''s good for the people than they do? Ha ha ha....expect more of the same unless attitudes change in congress!!! People are fed up with footing the bill to put people in office who don''t focus on what is important to them. Voting raises as the first order of business in a sad and sickening way to start off!!! Hate to see good people go out with the bad...but this is crunch time!!! Wise up or get washed out!!!

[quetzalcrist]

ooooo yeah...
Wider Stance taking toe tappers for family values are
going to have to update their resumes once the elections take place,
Obama is going to make a fine president.

[mudrose-2009]

Posted by ozilot

Nobody''s stopping you from living in your alternative universe. Enjoy.

[jack3213]

Typical scams from a woman named Clinton and newbie called Obama who know how to lie like the experts they are- Denial and gullibility are traits Americans are perfecting. You think Bush is a liar- just vote for either of the two Democrats- that have you so convinced "change" is coming for ''''the good''''- your head will spin worse than the media does. lol.

[arlt1627]

5. Bush War is the cause of Hate Against America. No. The blunder was the rather political style of Truman fresh from WW2 victory when it hastily supported the Israeli state in 1948 without real plan on how to address the plight of Arab Palestinians. Too trusting to France and Britain doing best in Middle East during that time. Since then, Arabs hated American. In Asia, Vietnam and Korean War was the reason why many Asian Activist dubbed USA as imperialist. Bush and the 9/11 bombings were actually casualties of poor Democratic foreign policies in the past.

Posted by pinoylovesam at 12:15 AM : May 15, 2008

Truman certainly did recognize Israel''s right to exist. However, Israeli support picked up financially under Eisenhower from 53-59 and currently has unprecedented backing from George Bush. If you wanted to fix the problem, cut off the $3-6 billion in aid each and every year! Many Republicans have had the opportunity to do so and have not! They get to share in the blame then.....oh, and Reagan was the one that was the financier of Saddam Hussein against Iran and Bin Laden for the mujahadeen fighting the Soviets in Afghanistan....So I guess the Republican Hero was directly responsible for 9/11 and the current war in Iraq....that''s basically your argument.....sad, truly sad. Ignore half of the facts to denounce democrats. Keep trying, but we''re not buying!!

[stn_sage]

I''d bet when Reps come back after summer recess, we may SUDDENLY find them working with the Dems to enact policy that they''ve delayed and put off for YEARS!

And, obcourse they''ll PROMISE us that they ALWAYS meant to, but "circumstances" always ''got in the way''!
But, NOW---they''ve ''CHANGED''! And, we should forgive them and give them another chance!

WHEN that happens?! WHAT will OUR response be?!
I say, ''H-NO''! How about you?!

SAY IT! NO. NO. NO. NO!

[arlt1627]

4. Bush War was a conspiracy theory even at the latest interview with the President. In fact, War against Iraq and Afghanistan are actually War against Saddam Hussein and the Bin Laden with the strong basis from the Monroe Doctrine - 9/11 bombings as the main basis as per the Doctrine.

Posted by pinoylovesam at 12:14 AM : May 15, 2008

Keep trying!! When did Saddam attack the United States OR support Bin Laden on the 9/11 terrorist attacks! We still haven''t found your WMD''s and there is no connection.......living in lala land still I see!

[arlt1627]

3. Having a Black presidential candidate, Democrats are pro-Black americans ever since. Biggest lie. Southern Democrats were the cause of exacerbated Civil War agains the Republican President Abraham Lincoln, they were the members of the KKK and killers of many Republicans and black people and, the authors of de jure segregation and Jim Crow Laws with Wilson as the obvious fathers, among others. Democrat Arkansan Orval Faubus, blocked 8 black americans enrolling during Little Rock Seige with Republican Pres. deploying troops to allow the 8 black students to enroll.

Posted by pinoylovesam at 12:14 AM : May 15, 2008

This one is funny!! Lets look at the commonalities between both and the switches that the parties have made. In the 1860s that Republicans dominated EVERY northern state and the Democrats dominated EVERY Southern state......I seem to remember that for the last 35 years, Democrats have tended to dominated the North and West Coast, while the Republicans have dominated the DEEP SOUTH where these racial problems have occurred and the Mountain West of America. Your point is moot! Keep trying with the propaganda!

[arlt1627]

2. Republican Market Economy principles is the cause of Sub-Prime and Home Mortgage fiasco. My God, the flaws of these markets were caused by 8 year of Clinton wrong market policies. Clinton fortunately did not make significant changes to those policies established by Reagan and Old Bush (mail man of Reagan)in the 1990S. McCain, although seemingly harsh, pointed to the problem of home mortgate problem: gullible buyers signing contract without reading. Please Dont change the theory: Market is at its optimal best when least intervened by the Government. For market failures (the aged, poor, uneducated, etc.) direct, output-based subsidy is most efficient (ask World Bank). If these principles are now wrong, then: Lest have a national day for the Burning of Economics books by leading american authors.

Posted by pinoylovesam at 12:12 AM : May 15, 2008

This one is amazing as well. Clinton certainly did not regulate those industries, but to blame him is ludicrous!! At least he knew how to balance a budget and get us out of the wonderful debt compiled by Reaganomic spending. The deregulation began under Reagan for 8 years and GBush 1 for 4 years. That was a 12 year head start before Clinton even enters office. Too bad for current George...he has to take that one on the head!! That''s how it works! To give Reagan credit for ending communism when mostly democrats fought against them is to other side of the coin. You can''t have it both ways.