GOP Engineers A Big Pushback Against An Anti-war Congress

Republican National Committee officials this week described a broad effort of volunteer surrogates, letters, and an online video campaign to back lawmakers who are trying to block Democratic steps to cut funding for the war or bring home troops.

"People are angry that the Democrats are trying to defund the troops, and we are answering that call," said an RNC official. In his first weeks on the job, new General Chairman Sen. Mel Martinez has moved to make his top job building a united GOP message on the war and other issues. So far, it's worked, and this week, with Senate Democrats again poised to take a shot at the war, the RNC is moving on three fronts to build support for the president:

-- The RNC, says one official, has teamed with hundreds of regional surrogate spokespeople to call in to radio and TV stations to back the war effort. That effort is focused especially in Democratic districts where the surrogates are suggesting that the Democratic lawmakers are shorting the troops.

-- A letter-writing campaign to newspapers and lawmakers has erupted, in part demanded by state and local Republican Party officials looking for ways to help.

-- The RNC is planning to release online videos of senior lawmakers appearing confused about what their withdrawal plan is. Separately, veterans groups have joined with the RNC to support the troops with their own campaigns.

"Veterans groups are asking to be involved, too," said the RNC official.

By Paul Bedard