Congressional Republicans Face Crisis

Washington Post: After String Of Special Election Losses, Party Leaders Seek To "Re-Brand" Message

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Jonathan Weisman and Paul Kane.

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House Republicans turned on themselves yesterday after a third straight loss of a GOP-held House seat in special elections this year left both parties contemplating widespread Democratic gains in November.

In huddles, closed-door meetings and hastily arranged conference calls, some Republicans demanded the head of their political chief, while others decried their leadership as out of touch with the political catastrophe they face.

GOP leaders sought yesterday to "re-brand" the party with a new slogan and renewed pledges of fiscal rectitude and limited government. But the slogan -- "The Change You Deserve" -- came under mocking fire, because it parallels Democratic presidential front-runner Barack Obama's "Change We Can Believe In" motto and it mirrors the advertising slogan for the antidepressant Effexor.

"What we've got is a deficiency in our message and a loss of confidence in the American people that we will do what we say we're going to do," conceded Rep. Tom Cole (Okla.), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.

The losses of conservative House seats in Louisiana and Illinois this spring were explained away by many Republicans as setbacks in which they were hampered by bad candidates. But Tuesday's loss in northern Mississippi was devastating. The district had given President Bush 62 percent of its vote in 2004. To reverse its losing streak, the NRCC pumped $1.3 million from its depleted coffers into the race. Freedom's Watch, a conservative independent group, pitched in. Vice President Cheney appeared at a last-minute rally. Bush and Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, lent their voices to automated phone calls imploring Republicans to vote for Southaven Mayor Charles G. "Greg" Davis.

Davis lost the contest by eight percentage points, a wider margin than in either of the two previous special-election defeats.

As soon as the results came in Tuesday evening, Democrats were already gloating, some even talking publicly of a filibuster-proof 60-seat majority in the Senate. Charlie Cook, a nonpartisan political analyst, scoffed at 60, but he said he now could see gains of as many as seven Senate seats and 15 to 25 in the House. Democrats now hold a 236 to 199 majority in the House, up from 203 seats they controlled two years ago, and Republicans face a flood of retirements in the chamber. Retirement announcements from Senate Republicans in Colorado, New Mexico and Virginia have created prime pickup opportunities for Democrats, who will not be defending any open seats in November.

Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican senator in history, has been badly damaged by scandals besetting his family and his party in Alaska, creating an unexpected opportunity for Democrats. Sen. John E. Sununu (N.H.) is defending a seat in a state where Democratic fortunes are on the rise, and other Republican senators -- including Susan Collins (Maine), Norm Colema (Minn.) and Gordon Smith (Ore.) -- are seeking reelection in states leaning Democratic in a presidential election year. In total, 23 Republican-held Senate seats will be on the ballot this fall compared with 12 for Democrats.

Even Republican strategists were downcast about their prospects for the fall.

"These races were not in New Jersey or New England, where Republican erosion has taken place over the last decade. They were in the heart of the Bible Belt, the social conservative core of our coalition," Rep. Tom Davis (Va.) fretted in a 20-page memorandum given to House Republican leaders yesterday and provided to The Washington Post.

"Members and pundits, waiting for Democrats to fumble the ball so that soft Republicans and Independents will snap back to the GOP, fail to understand the deep seeded antipathy toward the President, the war, gas prices, the economy, foreclosures and, in some areas, the underlying cultural differences that continue to brand our party."

Republicans from across the ideological spectrum of their party said yesterday that they understand the need to change course. But they disagreed on what change is necessary.

Rep. Ric Keller (Fla.), routinely targeted by Democrats in his Orlando district, said that Republicans from swing districts need the latitude to seek more moderate solutions, to be "independent folks who are trying to solve problems."

Rep. Mike Pence (Ind.), however, said the GOP needs to be more true to its conservative grass roots.

"Until we convince our public we have renewed our commitment to limited government and fiscal discipline, we will continue to lose," he said.

Rep. Walter B. Jones (N.C.), who just crushed a primary opponent challenging him on his antiwar stance, said it is time to break with Bush and find a way out of Iraq.

"If this party does not look at options and figure out how to pursue those options, we're in real trouble," he said.

Several Republicans decried the NRCC's strategy in the Mississippi and Louisiana special elections of nationalizing the campaigns by linking the Democratic candidates to Obama. All that did, they said, was energize African Americans to vote, while taking the GOP's focus off the local issues the Democrats were riding to victory. "Cheap, partisan political points" are not going to work in this environment, Keller said.

At a tense closed-door meeting of the House Republican Conference, Cole took full responsibility for the string of losses. But in a hastily arranged conference call with reporters, he dismissed any call for his resignation or a staff shakeup, which some Republicans have suggested may be necessary.

"You have to get beyond campaign tactics and take a long, hard look if there's something wrong with your product," he said. "It would be a great mistake to think that this could be fixed by tweaking a few things or a staff thing."

And Cole rejected the notion of a dramatic break with Bush.

"I don't see it particularly as an advantage to be in a debate with our president," he said. "It's not for me to second-guess the president of the United States."

But the numbers point to some dramatic action. In recent days, two polls put Sen. Elizabeth Dole's Democratic challenger within striking distanc of her in North Carolina. Another poll showed Democrats gaining on Smith, a moderate who appeared to be escaping the heat of the election year. Even Sen. John Cornyn, one of Bush's closest allies and a fellow Texan, may be feeling some heat from state Rep. Rick Noriega, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan.

"We haven't hit bottom yet. I've never seen members so frustrated or demoralized," former House majority leader Tom DeLay (Tex.) said in an interview.

DeLay and former House speaker Newt Gingrich (Ga.) have been issuing calls to arms to their former troops. But even they disagree on the steps needed to reverse their fortunes, with Gingrich demanding an emergency meeting of all Republicans to craft a new agenda. Gingrich is offering unusual proposals such as reforming the Census Bureau and the Federal Aviation Administration.

But DeLay called those ideas "a yawn" and instead demanded a dramatic agenda that would energize the conservative base -- or else face major losses in the fall leading to wholesale changes in leadership next year.

"That sort of thing will happen over time if there are more losses. You can never gauge when members have had enough," he said.

"There is no simple, easy way out of this," said Glen Bolger, a GOP pollster who works closely with congressional Republicans. "This is extraordinarily problematic."

[randynason]

Awww... It couldn''t happen to a more insidious, greedy, corrupt and condescending Party. If the Repubs are looking for a new slogan, they should consider, "Change. It''s Not Just for Diapers, Anymore."

[briannorwood]

"Re-Branding?"

EXCUSE ME! After 8 disastrous years of this administration, fueled with the rubber-stamping, out-of-control GOP congress...now they want to re-brand themselves?

How about this for a brand..."Losers!"

[briannorwood]

"I don''t see it particularly as an advantage to be in a debate with our president," he said. "It''s not for me to second-guess the president of the United States." --


Hey dumb-dumb, not second-guessing Bush was your problem to begin with!

[sgtrds-e4]

The number one problem facing Congressional republicans is that they are republicans!

[edward1975-2009]

Can''t wait till November when the cycle begins again. Same party control of the White House and Congress. And nothing will change. The Democrats have had control of Congress for a year and a half, what has changed. Still mired in Iraq, which was what they claimed they would end. Haven''t you figured it out, other than superficial differences, they are both the same. Liars, corrupt, and not giving a hoot about the people they represent.

[jjp735i]

The Republican Party is two parties. The Fiscal Conservative and the Social Conservative. The party needs to split.

The Social Conservatives are the problem. These are people who demand everyone live the moral life they define. People are growing tired of hearing how they are expected to live while these very same people break the very rules are they pushing on everyone else. Drug use, hookers, male and female, gay *** and so on. Of course if one of their own is caught, they pray for them and move on. If anyone else is caught they scream for a prison term.

I will vote for a Fiacal Conservative, but will avoid the Nazi like Social Conservative. Split the party.

[jack3213]

Stereotypes have been the major problem along with Republicans who have changed the reputation of their party. This is not any differant than Democrats who have done the same. Republicans are under fire now, but they are the smarter of the two parties and will come up with the perfect solution even if it means overhauling the way they do things to improve their image. CHANGE YOU CAN COUNT ON- with samrt individuals.

[jack3213]

Stereotypes have been the major problem along with Republicans who have changed the reputation of their party. This is not any differant than Democrats who have done the same. Republicans are under fire now, but they are the smarter of the two parties and will come up with the perfect solution even if it means overhauling the way they do things to improve their image. CHANGE YOU CAN COUNT ON- with smart- experianced- individuals.

[Gary Kempf]

DeLay and former House speaker Newt Gingrich (Ga.) have been issuing calls to arms to their former troops. But even they disagree on the steps needed to reverse their fortunes, with Gingrich demanding an emergency meeting of all Republicans to craft a new agenda. Gingrich is offering unusual proposals such as reforming the Census Bureau and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Here you go, two of the dirtiest Republicans making suggestions to improve the Republican party image, some how even the thought of these two making suggestions is pure ludicrous.

[trillion1]

Like a contractor that built a shoddy house and thinks a new coat of paint will get the buyers back.

[jack3213]

Hey Trillion- It usually does. hehe

[stn_sage]

Republican politicians are so devoid of brainpower, they can''t even come up with a slogan without ''ripping it off'' the Dems! This is pathetic!

Many of them could save time and trouble and resign NOW, before they lose their election in November!

[jack3213]

Hey stn_sage : They don''t need a " SLOGAN" like Democrats do- this ain''t HIGH SCHOOL but it sure sounds like some of them never grew up/

[thatchmo62]

Don''t fool yourselves. BOTH parties are dirty, incompetent and devoid of any new ideas that wil advance our country. The problem is the best and brightest of our society don''t want to have anything to do with politics so we''re left with what we currently have. Two political parties that couldn''t manage to find there way out of a paper bag if both ends were open.

[bobbyduck1]

Edward1975 writes: "The Democrats have had control of Congress for a year and a half, what has changed. Still mired in Iraq, which was what they claimed they would end."

Gee, maybe the absolutely stupid Bushit vetoes and his GOP cronies refusing to over-ride them may have something to do with it? GOP causes the problems, then prevents the solutions, then blames the Dems! how utterly typical since Delay/Gingrich took out their ''Contract ON America" and began to kill all that made sense!

Enough of GOP! Avoid McSame! Vote in a veto-proof majority of Democrats in both houses of Congress so we can finally begin restoring American pride, values, and re-gain at least a few allies!

[sputnik571]

Does the responsibility for the use of the term "deep seeded" belong to the Washington Post or Rep. Tom Davis? One of them is contributing to the general illiteracy so prevalent in Internet reporting. These feelings are "deep-seated" in the heart, not seeds planted deep in the ground.

[jntlw-2009]

The Republican''s incipient crisis is just beginning to show momentum. They so deserve this and more. No one has been more corrupt and brazen about it in my lifetime. Christians, my **s! They deceived Americans for 24 years now, but America has taken her blindfolds off and now they see how flagrantly corrupt and misleading these Neocons have been. Good riddence. For those moderate and good Republicans like Hagel and others, time to move to another party!

[stopkidding]

If the Republicans had faced their crises of leadership and management several years ago they would not be dealing with the "crisis" of losing more seats in the upcoming election.

After losing two wars, the economy, and American city and the Constitution they are surprised that they are going to lose another election?

[moneymcbush]

We all owe george bush a big thank you, for destroying the republican party.
Mission Accomplished.

[culturechang]

As they should face crisis. All they have done is make messes and display hypocrisy....while attempting to tell us how to live.

[lovegetpeace]

Folks,
Now, I truely love president Bush for all his Idiot Policies. Yes, president Bush is the greatest president ever for Democrats.

If there is a NeoCons out there who is considering suicide, please seek professional help asap before it is too late.

[zerato-2009]

The republicans have not had any new ideas since teddy roosevelt. Whatever the "change" will be it will have the words "lower taxes", "liberal congress" and "tax and spend liberals". Many robots of the republican party has ran successfully with only these phrases. Why would they change now?

[lovegetpeace]

Dear Nov-4 Voters,
Ballot Instructions:

Enter your vote in all lines that have DEMOCRATIC PARTY on it all the way down the ballot. Do not worry about the name next to it.

[prairiefox1]

THEY CAN HAVE MORE SHAM HEARINGS WITH BIG OIL TO DECEIVE THE PUBLIC AND CONTINUE WITH THEIR OWN INTEREST INSTEAD OF THE PUBLICS WELFARE FOR WHAT THEY WERE HIRED FOR!

[ricknuber]

My Dad (R-IL) has been a lifelong republican. My Mom (D-IL) is a lifelong Democrat. Neither is remotely happy about their party''s current state or choices.

We need a full staff turnover in our government.

[clestes-2009]

The truth here is really very simple. When shrub went to the whitehouse in 2000, the republican party had both houses of congress and the whitehouse, and instead of devoting itself to implementing traditional republican ideas and values, it allowed itself to be taken over by a small, power hungry vocal minority, who cared NOTHING for the traditional republican values and had its own agenda. An agenda that consisted of 2 things, protecting Israel and stealing middle east oil.

With the unfortunate combination of an arrogant, easily manipulated president and a vice president who is a past master at manipulating, this minority, which consisted of rabid Zionists and militant pro-Americans who saw America''s place as one of global domination, through Cheney took the whole country down a path that had NOTHING to do with core republican values.

Add a bunch of crooks like Tom Delay, a few weirdo''s like Mark Foley and 7 years time and you end up with a party that has completely lost touch with itself and more importantly its voters.

When a traditional republican voter looks at what their party has done to this country with its fiscal irresponsibility, not to mention moral irresponsibility, and they only rep candidate promises more of the same irresponsibility, it is no mystery to me why the number of republican voters shrinks every month.

[clestes-2009]

to continue...

They are totally disgusted by their party and feel abandoned and betrayed. Result, they vote democratic or don''t vote at all.

All one has to do is look at the last 3 special elections in Louisiana, Illnois and just this week Mississippi to see the results. Democrats are winning in traditionally republican districts. Districts that have been republican strongholds for 50 years, no less!

What is a mystery to me is why the party leaders didn''t see this coming. What did they think 2006 was, a fluke?? Were they really so blinded by their egos and so out of touch with their voters that they did not realize that they were alienating the rank and file of their party with every passing month??

Why a blind man could have read the signals of discontent a mile away. Why didn''t they?

[hober_mallow]

"What we''ve got is a deficiency in our message..."

What, half-billion dollar deficits and phony wars the U.S. can neither win nor quit?

Or is the Republican message merely anti-abortion and anti-gay marriage?

What ever happened to 2004''s Republican ''Contract with America''?

[ricknuber]

Posted by clestes at 03:49 PM : May 15, 2008

Was that just off the top of your head? Dang...

-clap clap clap clap clap-

[zerato-2009]

Nuber At least cleste did not contact your parents to get an opinion as you did.

clap clap clap

[ricknuber]

"Nuber At least cleste did not contact your parents to get an opinion as you did."
Posted by zerato at 03:56 PM : May 15, 2008

ZING!

I know you "Family Values" Republicans abhor intellectual discourse with your family, (or anyone else) but do try to understand that some of us speak with our families a few times a week.

I was using it as an anecdotal leading indicator of the general political humor...dunce.

D+
See me after class.

[stn_sage]

Hey stn_sage : They don''''t need a " SLOGAN" like Democrats do- this ain''''t HIGH SCHOOL but it sure sounds like some of them never grew up/
Posted by jack3213 at 02:40 PM : May 15, 2008
------------------------------------------------
My response: Well, Jack---maybe you want to call them up and let THEM know that! THEY think they need one!

Obcourse, if they''d spent the last several years taking responsible action(s), instead of *** over America and other countries, too---they wouldn''t be in their current domestic political jam! Would they?! Getting kicked out of office is the least they deserve!

[zerato-2009]

Nuber you hit me with a low blow, calling me a republican. Those are fighting words. Since I am a pacifist I will shake it off.

I was not aware that I took a class called "anecdotal leading indicator of the general political humor" If I new I was attending I would have gotten a C+, if i could have figured out what it was about.

[r9119111]

Never Again!

[ricknuber]

"Nuber you hit me with a low blow, calling me a republican. Those are fighting words. Since I am a pacifist I will shake it off."
Posted by zerato at 04:11 PM : May 15, 2008

-sigh-
Ok, point conceded. I apologize for calling you a Republican. That was WAY over the line of me, and I retract the statement.

[foranc]

SCREW the Republicans, the American citizens are facing a crisis and it''s the Republicans'' fault for enthroning Bush and his crew of morons!

[cfin5]

Everyone''s eyes are on the "CONSTITUTION" guys. Just take us back to why we are proud to be Americans in the first place. It''s what us regular Americans expect from both parties.......BACK TO THE CONSTITUTION!

[krisd999-2009]

I am a card carrying Republican and I can see the deep division in the party bordering on hatred between the libertarian limited, small government pro liberty group (Ron Paul) and the big government pro war, pro subsidies and welfare group (McCain). I am glad to see the FASHIST faction lose. Ron Paul won his primary against a fasist challenger with 70% of the vote. The Republican voters elsewhere are still ignorant what is going on and can not distinguish between the two diametrically opposed factions. They just don''t know what kind of Republican they are voting for. Since most of what the public has been getting is the fasist- good riddance. To have a free republic, you have to get rid of the bread and cicuses and the empire.

[taddles-2009]

"GOP leaders sought yesterday to "re-brand" the party with a new slogan and renewed pledges of fiscal rectitude and limited government. But the slogan -- "We''re really not the a$$holes you thought we were" -- came under mocking fire."

[taddles-2009]

"I wonder what I should wear to Hillary''''s Inauguration ?!

Posted by FlangeSqueal at 04:47 PM : May 15, 2008"



I''d wear your footy jammies since you''re dreaming.

[jesterbelle]

Adios *************!

[leftyintexas]

SCREW the Republicans, the American citizens are facing a crisis and it''''s the Republicans'''' fault for enthroning Bush and his crew of morons!

Posted by foranc at 04:17 PM : May 15, 2008

Thank you for putting it in language that even THEY can understand. Ha!Ha!

[jesterbelle]

I wonder what I should wear to Hillary''''s Inauguration ?!




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by FlangeSqueal at 04:47 PM : May 15, 2008

How about just dressing up as a flower child now,since you''re obviously trippin''.

[observantx]

Posted by clestes at 03:49 PM

Clestes:

Your excellent post. Right on target. With a sledge hammer.

The repugnicans had total control of the governemnt and they let it go to their heads. They smeared and threatened anyone who objected to them enthoning little Georgie. They lockstepped through the halls of our Congress and bleated their fealty to Darth and George''s neocon oil fantasy. They betrayed our Constitution in myriad ways and continulally lied, made apologies for, covered up and sidestepped any questions about the massive abuse of power of this criminal administration. They gave birth to this abomination and now they want to wring their hands and get all teary eyed when it''s time to pay for their damage.

Good riddance to them all! Ride them out of town on a rail. Don''t forget the tar and feathers!

[antoniof123]

I was once a Republican a libertarian but the call came out that the Republicans were no longer interested in fiscal responisibility but in being the moral police. So I went to the Democrats the funny thing is my father did the same. He always said don''t give them too much power he lived in the days of MaCarthy.

I have been saying that there would be a blood bath for the Republicans this November and most neo cons still don''t get it well this should send the message home. Now watch how fast the neo cons turn on Bush and MaCain to save their hides. However, it is too late they had over a year to change and veto the village idiot and McSame is just another neo con.

[susanhelit]

Funniest thing I''ve seen in a long time - yes indeed, the problem with the Repubicans is that they haven''t reformed the Census beuru! How out of touch can you get! Although, I can just imagine if they reform it like they reformed the disaster response people - we''d have Katrina in every state as people run screaming from census workers carrying pens with toxic gasses.

[bm6005]

If there is a NeoCons out there who is considering suicide, please seek professional help asap before it is too late.
Posted by lovegetpeac

What, are you nuts? Jump!!!!

[susanhelit]

I love that after destroying so many things in this country, they think the problem is their slogan, their branding - nope - it''s your actions, stupid!

[antoniof123]

When a traditional republican voter looks at what their party has done to this country with its fiscal irresponsibility, not to mention moral irresponsibility, and they only rep candidate promises more of the same irresponsibility, it is no mystery to me why the number of republican voters shrinks every month.

Posted by clestes at 03:49 PM : May 15, 2008

True but now the Democrats are the fiscal party and responsible. They listened look at Bill Clinton and see his record then you will know why they could not change. They lied with a good line now they want to be forgiven and it is too late.

The storm is already over the area and it is moving fast towards them. The blood bath is here and they are out of touch and don''t beleive it. Too little too late.

[octoberxs]

This says it all -

GOP caught plagiarizing from Drug company
In today''s New York Times'' Caucus blog, Carl Hulse reports that House Republicans have got themselves a brand-new slogan:

"the change you deserve."


What the GOP doesn''t seem to realize, because they are idiots, is that "the change you deserve" is the registered advertising slogan of Effexor XR, a drug that many of you might have started taking as a result of all the...you know -- terrorism. (Hat tip to Bluestem for catching this gem.)

Effexor, is approved for the treatment "of depression, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder in adults." Its common side effects are very much in keeping with the world the House Republicans have striven to build: nausea, apathy, constipation, fatigue, vertigo, sexual dysfunction, sweating, memory loss, and - and I swear I am not making this up - "electric shock-like sensations also called ''brain zaps.''"

And when the Food And Drug Administration reviewed the ad copy that included the tagline, "The change you deserve," it took issue with Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, which manufactures Effexor, saying that the company made "unsubstantiated superiority claims." Sounds like the GOP have picked an ironically accurate tagline for their efforts!