CQ TODAY PRINT EDITION
– POLITICS
Updated May 15, 2008 – 6:10 p.m.
Rocked by Recent Losses, House Republicans Struggle to Reframe Message
By Alan K. Ota and Edward Epstein, CQ Staff
House Minority Leader John A. Boehner and other Republican leaders worked to buck up their demoralized rank and file Thursday at the second party caucus in as many days.
Republicans were rocked this week by their third special-election loss this year, in a district long regarded as solidly Republican.
Those who attended the latest closed-door GOP Conference meeting said Boehner, R-Ohio, was frank in describing his caucus’ situation.
“We’re in a hole, no doubt about it. But I don’t believe in a no-win scenario,” he was quoted as telling his members.
In a move widely derided for its timing and labeling, GOP leaders on Wednesday unveiled the first part of a new “Change You Deserve” agenda, a package of proposals aimed at women and families. The effect was spoiled both by Democrat Travis W. Childers ’ victory a day earlier in Mississippi’s 1st District and by media reports that the new slogan has been used by Effexor, a prescription antidepressant drug.
‘Change America Deserves’
A news release the caucus issued Thursday tweaked that slogan ever so slightly with a headline about “the change America deserves.”
Boehner told Republicans on Thursday that his leadership team will roll out four additional parts of the new GOP agenda, starting with an energy package next week.
But it was clear the party might have trouble uniting behind that proposal. Republicans who attended the caucus said one of the key battles will be over whether to include a proposal for a gasoline tax holiday this summer — an idea that presumed GOP presidential nominee John McCain has been touting on the campaign trail.
John L. Mica of Florida, the ranking Republican on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said he would strongly oppose the gas tax holiday because it would drain needed revenue from the Highway Trust Fund.
“It’s an idea that is in play now. But I don’t agree with it,” Mica said. “If we have a gasoline tax holiday, we will have to send out rescission notices to states, and highway projects will be stopped.”
Boehner and other party leaders said details of the energy package have not yet been decided.
Tougher Tactics
Rocked by Recent Losses, House Republicans Struggle to Reframe Message
Other parts of the emerging agenda, addressing health care, the economy and security, will be unveiled in coming weeks.
Peter T. King of New York, ranking Republican on the Homeland Security Committee, said the security portion of the agenda would emphasize the need to clear the Senate version (
Senior House GOP aides said Boehner made no real concessions to party conservatives, who have been demanding that he take a tougher line to block Democratic initiatives.
Later in the day, the leaders gave their green light to an aggressive tactic that had been under discussion for weeks.
Knowing that Democrats were divided on the issue of war funding, 132 Republicans voted “present,” and a funding amendment failed on a vote of 141-149.
GOP aides said members of the conservative Republican Study Committee had talked about this type of maneuver before but had backed down. This time, they persisted.
“After Mississippi, it’s clear Republicans really have lost their minds,” said Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, one of the Democrats startled by the successful strategy.
It was not clear how enthusiastically the rank and file would embrace the new GOP message.
Jeb Hensarling of Texas, chairman of the Republican Study Committee, said he would wait to see the remaining parts of the agenda before evaluating it, but he has been among the lawmakers demanding more ambitious initiatives. “I’m not happy that we have lost three special elections. This is part of an action plan. It’s not the entire plan. ... We’ve got a lot of work to do, and a short time to do it,” Hensarling said.
He said he would push for adding a self-imposed GOP earmark moratorium to the economic agenda that Boehner’s leadership team is developing. Party leaders rejected a similar idea earlier this year. “We should take bolder action. I think it would absolutely be a good addition to any economic plan,” Hensarling said.
Boehner said he and Tom Cole of Oklahoma — the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, the House GOP’s campaign arm — are talking, as well.
“I’ve had conversations with Tom Cole about what’s going on at the NRCC,” Boehner said. “Those conversations will continue.”
Boehner said he couldn’t find much to disagree with in a blistering memo prepared by Rep. Thomas M. Davis III , R-Va. Davis, a former NRCC chairman, wrote that the party’s prospects this November were the bleakest since 1974, during the Watergate era.
Rocked by Recent Losses, House Republicans Struggle to Reframe Message
“I read Tom Davis’ memo. I thought it was well done and insightful,” Boehner said. “That’s why we’re developing issues Republicans can be for” as they campaign to take back the House, he added.
Campaign strategizing was under way on the other side of the Capitol, as well.
More than two dozen Senate Democrats were briefed Thursday by presidential campaign operatives and by pollster Mark Mellman. Each left the room with talking points on a pocket card with the slogan, “Making the American Dream Affordable Again.” The highlights: combating the rising price of gas, food, health care and college as well as stemming home foreclosures and promoting “better-paying jobs.”
“Once we have a presidential nominee, that person will be setting the tone for the election,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar , Da?`Minn. “Things have been going well, and we want to keep that going.”
Sen. Claire McCaskill , D-Mo., said the group also discussed the political benefits of tying McCain to President Bush.
For their part, Senate GOP leaders developed a draft memo outlining the “Democratic leadership’s mismanagement of Congress” that they plan to circulate among their members before the Memorial Day recess.
In addition to faulting Democrats for not approving judicial nominees and for stalling the Colombia trade agreement, Republicans also plan to blame them for rising gas prices and enacting higher taxes.
Kathleen Hunter contributed to this story.
First posted May 15, 2008 11:50 a.m.
Comments
If Republican's want to win back the trust of Americans then they better throw all the neoconservatives out with the trash and get back to the Constitutional principles that once guided the party. Republican presidentail candidate Ron Paul has been carrying that exact banner and the GOP constantly tries to reject and marginalize him yet he gets the money, support, passion and energy the GOP is so desperately looking for. Why? Because people are willing to support true conservative messages and agendas that are for the American people and they are NOT going to support neoconservative agendas that benefit only the wealthy and elite. The proof is in the pudding with Ron Paul's message and he has put the answer right in front of the GOP's face. The Constitution. Are they going to wake up and accept it or go down in flames with the neocons? I will say this if the GOP doesn't change its path and get out from under neocon control then America might remain dominated by two parties, but the GOP will not be one of them.
Question: what does the GOP stand for? Of late it seems to be fear and character.The character: e.g. moral values, and patriotism has been repeatedly contradicted. So if they don't want to have the tables turned i.e. be the party that doesn't stand for anything they're going to have to come up with a coherent platform and message.
I think its hardly nescessary for the GOP to come up with ideas to strengthen their position for the Fall Elections when for the past 7 years they have done what they wanted, and not what the people in their districts wanted. They think more of War, and making the rich, more wealthy, than helping the American people as a whole. They should all be voted out and get new blood in. These career Politicians are ruining America. Down with the GOP!!!
It's hysterical to hear the neocon leftovers talk about a "plan." Boehner and those before him rolled over and played dead for the President. They all but gave away the power of the congress, the people, and effectively installed a dictator who has us mired in a bogus war. They are the party of $4.00 a gallon gas. They are the party of abandonment having abandoned our brothers and sisters in New Orleans and they are the party of lawlessness. Our Constitution has been seriously damaged and it's in need of repair. Not to slight the Republicans, we need to elect democrats this fall who will have the courage to exercise the proper power of the congress.
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