So much for pushing moderateness in this Northeastern swing district.

"Vote conservative," says the announcer in a new 60-second, RNC-sponsored radio ad in New York's 23rd District. Now that GOP nominee Dede Scozzafava has left the race, the national Republican campaign committees are pushing Conservative candidate Doug Hoffman.

Scozzafava was lambasted by the GOP's conservative base for her relatively liberal positions on such issues as abortion, taxes and spending. The new RNC ad mentions the word "conservative" five times in the ad, which is airing today and tomorrow in New York's North Country media markets.

"Let's tell the liberals, enough is enough," the announcer continues. "No more bailouts, taxes and budget busting spending. It's time to create jobs, with proven conservative ideas like lower taxes. Let your voice be heard, join the movement to bring real conservative change."

You can hear the ad here.

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 11:30 AM | Email Author | Permalink

Republican House leaders John Boehner (Ohio) and Eric Cantor (Va.), and NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions (Texas), released a statement earlier today reacting to the news that Dede Scozzafava had suspended her campaign in New York's 23rd District special election three days before the election:

"As the House stands on the cusp of the forthcoming vote on a trillion-dollar healthcare reform measure, it is vital that we unify behind a candidate that will support reining in massive government spending and work with Republicans in Congress to restore fiscal sanity and propose thoughtful measures to get our nation's economy on the right track. "With Assemblywoman Scozzafava suspending her campaign, we urge voters to support Doug Hoffman's candidacy in New York's 23rd Congressional District. "He is the only active candidate in the race who supports lower taxes, fiscal responsibility and opposes Nancy Pelosi's agenda of government-run healthcare, more government and less jobs. "We look forward to welcoming Doug Hoffman into the House Republican Conference as we work together for the good of our nation."

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele released a statement as well reinforcing the RNC's support of Hoffman:

Continue reading "National GOP Reacts To Scozzafava Decision" »

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 12:58 PM | Email Author | Permalink

When it comes to health care reform, Republicans in Congress are trusted less than their colleagues across the aisle and President Obama, according to a new Gallup survey (Oct. 16-19, 1521 A).

Just more than one-third (37%) of American adults have a great deal or fair amount of trust in congressional Republicans on reforming the nation's health care system, while nearly half (48%) trust congressional Dems and more than half (55%) trust the president.

Only counting those who said they have a "great deal of trust," 4% said Republicans, 10% said Democrats and 23% said Obama.

Republicans not only lag in trustworthiness among the nation as a whole, but also among members of their own party. Just 61% of Republicans nationwide trust the Republicans in Congress on health care, while 81% of Democrats trust congressional Dems and 86% of Democrats trust Obama.

As for independents, 36% trust Republicans in Congress, 39% trust Democrats and 51% trust Obama.

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 02:45 PM | Email Author | Permalink

The National Republican Congressional Committee announced today that 41 candidates currently in its Young Guns recruitment program have reached the level of "Contender" or "On the Radar." The program sets certain benchmarks for Republican challengers in open and Democrat-held districts to reach -- including volunteer recruitment, fundraising, and a set number of door knocks -- which the NRCC believes will help the candidate have success.

"These candidates have become formidable contenders by meeting the rigorous goals laid out by the Young Guns program and putting in place the pieces for a winning campaign," said NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas). "The early progress of these candidates is not only a testament to the Young Guns program, it is a sign of the changing political environment that Democrats will have to face next year."

There are 32 candidates currently at the On the Radar level, the first of the three-step Young Guns program. Nine are currently identified as a "Contender." Click through to see the full list.

Continue reading "NRCC Identifies Its Most Potent Recruits" »

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 03:35 PM | Email Author | Permalink

RCP got its hands on an invitation to a Republican National Committee fundraiser scheduled for next week in Las Vegas, with embattled Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) listed as one of the "special guests."

The "Sun & Fun In The Desert" event was scheduled for October 16-18 at the Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino. Also listed as special guests were RNC co-chairman Jan Larimer, and Rep. Dean Heller (R). The invitation, which was received just last week, sought contributions from PACs of $5,000 to $15,000.

When asked about the event, a spokesperson for the RNC first said that Larimer may not attend, then later said the event itself may have been canceled. Sure enough, a Palazzo employee said the event was taken off their schedule just today. An Ensign spokesperson referred calls to the RNC. Further requests for comment from the RNC, as well as requests to the Nevada GOP and Heller's office have not been returned.

The cancellation of this event comes as leading Republicans have sought to distance themselves from Ensign, once rumored as a potential White House candidate but now facing calls to resign over alleged impropriety stemming from an affair with a former staffer.

Posted by Mike Memoli at 04:55 PM | Email Author | Permalink

RNC chair Michael Steele's statement on President Obama's Nobel win reflects the sense even among supporters of this White House that this was quite surprise.

"The real question Americans are asking is, 'What has President Obama actually accomplished?' It is unfortunate that the president's star power has outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights. One thing is certain - President Obama won't be receiving any awards from Americans for job creation, fiscal responsibility, or backing up rhetoric with concrete action."

Posted by Mike Memoli at 10:02 AM | Email Author | Permalink

The National Republican Congressional Committee is pushing supporters to sign a petition to "Fire Nancy Pelosi." A petition, of course, cannot actually remove the Speaker of the House from her position, but the NRCC hopes the accompanying request for campaign donations may help the GOP win back control of the House.

"As one of the most polarizing figures in American politics, Pelosi is once again putting party politics ahead of our national security," the e-mail states. "Her actions as Speaker of the House are putting our country's security on the line and it's up to us to stand up in opposition to her disastrous far-left agenda."

The e-mail, distributed today, refers to the Speaker as "General Pelosi," which is what the NRCC called her earlier this week when it stated that General McChrystal should "put her in her place."

Pelosi responded to that remark today, calling it "inappropriate" and language she hadn't heard "in decades."

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 02:50 PM | Email Author | Permalink

The decision facing President Obama will test his leadership as the nation's commander in chief, Sen. John McCain said today after a White House meeting on Afghanistan.

"Of course it is," he told reporters after the meeting. "I'm sure the president is very aware of that, and that's why he's going through the process that he's going through."

The former Republican presidential nominee urged his former rival to act "with deliberate haste" in making a determination on Afghanistan, saying that time "is not on our side." He said that while a number of options should be considered, the White House should give special weight to the recommendations coming from commanders in the field.

"They were correct in employing the strategy that succeeded in Iraq. That strategy, adjusted to the different conditions in Afghanistan, can work in Afghanistan as well," he said.

He also took issue with the notion believed to be coming from the White House that the Taliban should be targeted differently than al Qaida.

"We all know that if the Taliban come back, al Qaida will come back," he said. "I don't think it's a proper reading of both history and the situation to somehow think that al Qaida will not quickly emerge in Afghanistan if it falls to the Taliban."

Continue reading "McCain: Afghanistan Tests Obama As Commander In Chief" »

Posted by Mike Memoli at 05:15 PM | Email Author | Permalink

In what has become a monthly routine, Republicans took the opportunity once again to cite new unemployment numbers in criticizing Democrats for the economic stimulus package passed earlier this year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced this morning that unemployment had risen a tenth of a point to 9.8 percent, the highest since June 1983.

"Today's troubling report underscores the need for Democrats in Washington to scrap their job-killing agenda and act in a bipartisan way to put Americans back to work," said House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio).

The stimulus bill was signed into law by President Obama February 17. Since then Democrats have continued to tout the progress the economy has made since the beginning of the year, and Obama has maintained that things would be even worse had there been no stimulus. The president's Council of Economic Advisers reports that the package has created or retained 1 million jobs.

Just yesterday, Vice President Biden announced new targets for the stimulus package and touted "great progress in the first seven months" of its implementation in 2009.

Republicans, however, disagree and have utilized fresh unemployment data from the BLS to help prove their point.

"Continued job loss does not equal success despite claims to the contrary, and the American people deserve stronger economic leadership," said House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.).

Democrats, meanwhile, continue to push ownership of the recession on President Bush in an attempt to deflect the brunt of criticism off Obama. In a briefing with reporters in mid-September, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) noted that 650,000 jobs were lost on average in the last three months of Bush's term -- far less than 263,000 lost in September and 227,000 in August.

Hoyer also conceded that whether the GDP rises or not, "the American public is focused on jobs," which are a "lagging indicator."

"While the recession may be over, it is clear that we have not started to gain back jobs, which is absolutely essential," he said.

Obama and many Democrats in the House and Senate can most likely thank much of their electoral success on a down economy in 2008. Republicans hope to capitalize on it as well in 2010 by pronouncing a government-funded economic stimulus package a waste of taxpayers' money.

"As unemployment continues to climb, we are reminded again that wasteful government spending is not the solution to what ails this economy," said House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-Ind.). "The American people know that true economic recovery starts with fiscal discipline in Washington, D.C., and tax relief for working families, small businesses and family farms."

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 10:00 AM | Email Author | Permalink

Democratic party identification is at its lowest mark since the second quarter of 2005, while GOP ID is at its highest point since the first quarter of 2006, according to Gallup's quarterly party identification report.

At 48% Democrat or lean-Democrat and 42% Republican or lean-Republican, the six-point gap is the smallest since 2005. Although the number of people identifying themselves as Republican has remained stable, more independents now lean Republican (15%) than Democrat (13%) for the first time in at least four years.

The report is based on five polls conducted of 5,090 adults between July 1 and Sept. 30.

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 04:20 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Citing President Obama's trip to Copenhagen Thursday to sell Chicago's Olympic bid, RNC chairman Michael Steele accused the White House and Democrats in general of losing focus.

"Is the focus health care? Is the focus cap and trade? Is the focus energy? Is the focus job creation?" Steele asked. "I think the president needs to, along with the members in Congress ... tell the American people what their focus is going to be in the fall and into next year. Because I don't see tell-tale signs of economic strength but rather continued weakness in the job market; continued weakness in the Wall Streets and Main Streets of America that create the wealth we need to stimulate the economy."

Steele, speaking on a conference call with reporters this afternoon, said it was "noble" of President Obama to want to help his home town's bid, sending the first lady would have been enough in his eyes.

"I think that at a time of war, I think in a time of recession, at a time where American are expressing rather significantly their concerns and frustrations ... about health care, about the economy, about a host of domestic issues, and even international issues -- while nice, it is not necessary for the president," he said. "This administration has been pushing like hound dogs on getting a health care bill pronto. If it's that important to the president, then stay home and get it done."

Asked about Steele's criticism, White House press secretary Robert Gates jokingly asked who he was rooting for to host the 2016 games. "Is he hoping to hop a plane to Brazil and catch the Olympics in Rio?"

He also noted that Obama wouldn't be staying in Denmark long enough even to find out who the winning city would be so that he could keep working on health care and Afghanistan.

Who's he rooting for?

(LAUGHTER)

Is he hoping to hop a plane to Brazil and catch the Olympics in Rio?

(LAUGHTER)

I don't know. Maybe it's Madrid.

Posted by Mike Memoli at 02:28 PM | Email Author | Permalink

The Republican National Committee outraised its Democratic counterpart by $1 million in the month of August, according to reports filed last week with the Federal Election Commission. The RNC pulled in $7.87 million last month, compared with the Demoratic National Committee's $6.89 million.

"The RNC had another very strong fundraising month in August," said RNC Chairman Michael Steele. "We remain committed to broadening the appeal of our party by taking a strong principled message on health care directly to the people."

The RNC has close to $21 million cash on hand, while the DNC ended the month with a little more than $15 million. In July, the DNC far outraised its GOP counterpart, taking in $9.28 million to the RNC's $6.26 million.

In August, the Democrats' House campaign arm outraised the GOP's, while the National Republican Senatorial Committee outraised the Dems for the second month in a row.

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 01:30 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) has swiftly apologized for shouting out during President Obama's speech to Congress tonight (RCP Video has the clip).

"This evening I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the President's remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill. While I disagree with the President's statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the President for this lack of civility."

Reaction to the moment came quickly -- John McCain called on him to immediately apologize during an interview on CNN. South Carolina Democrats issued the following statement:

"Once again a South Carolina Republican has embarrassed our state. Never has any member of Congress shown such disrespect for the president during a speech.  One would think that as a member of the military, Joe Wilson would have more respect and patriotism than he displayed tonight. When Congressman Wilson insulted President Obama, he also insulted the American public. Joe Wilson is a poor example of a statesman and an American. He owes an apology to the president and the American people."

Wilson's so-called heckle was noted on many of the network telecasts, and is dominating conversation online. It's interesting to note that the last comment on Wilson's Twitter page reads: "Happy Labor Day! Wonderful parade at Chapin, many people called out to oppose Obamacare which I assured them would be relayed tomorrow to DC."

The question going forward is how much the moment will be seized on by Democrats in branding Republicans as obstructionist. Obama himself had criticized the "partisan spectacle that only hardens the disdain many Americans have towards their own government."

Posted by Mike Memoli at 10:35 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Republicans are choosing a rather low-profile member of Congress to deliver the party's response to President Obama's high-profile speech to lawmakers Wednesday night. Rep. Charles Boustany (R), a doctor who is serving his third term in the House, will be the second straight Louisianan to deliver a presidential response speech, following Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-La.).

"Dr. Boustany has been a tireless advocate for reform that lowers health care costs and expands access for the American people at a price our nation can afford," House Minority Leader John Boehner said in a statement announcing the choice.  "He understands why a Washington bureaucrat - as Democrats have proposed - should never get between a doctor and his patient."

"As a doctor, I know we must lower costs and improve care, which we can accomplish by focusing on strengthening the doctor-patient relationship and working in a bipartisan way," Boustany says in the same statement.

Posted by Mike Memoli at 11:54 AM | Email Author | Permalink

After the White House released President Obama's planned remarks to students tomorrow, some conservatives are signaling support for his message.

"Just read President Obamas speech to students. ... It is a good speech and will be good for students to hear," former House Speaker Newt Gingrich wrote on Twitter. "Remember that Presidents Reagan and Bush also talked to students nationwide. As long as it is non political and pro education it is good."

The National Review's Jim Geraghty called the speech, as prepared for delivery, "not only uncontroversial," but "the finest of his presidency so far. Kids need to hear there's no easy route to success."

During his AFL-CIO speech, the president himself drew some knowing laughter as he alluded to the speech he'd be giving tomorrow. Speaking on Air Force One, press secretary Robert Gibbs gave an unprompted assessment of some of the controversy leading up to the remarks, saying: "I think it's a sad, sad day that the political back and forth has intruded on anyone speaking to schoolchildren."

"If one kid in one school hears one message and goes from being a D student to a C student, then the speech is worth it," he said. "If one kid decides not to drop out of school, then the speech is worth it. ...
It's a sad state of affairs that many in this country politically would rather start an 'Animal House' food fight rather than inspire kids to stay in school, to work hard, to engage parents to stay involved, and to ensure that the millions of teachers that are making great sacrifices continue to be the best in the world."

Posted by Mike Memoli at 02:30 PM | Email Author | Permalink

You knew this was coming. Republican leaders are piling on the increased unemployment numbers released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which announced the rate jumped three-tenths of a point to 9.7 percent.

Yesterday the vice president touted the success of the stimulus, which provided fodder for Republicans today. The White House just announced that Biden will address the latest job numbers at a previously scheduled event on the Recovery Act at noon.

Here is a sampling of the press releases in our inbox:

RNC Chairman Michael Steele: "Yesterday Vice President Biden gave yet another speech to try to convince the American people that President Obama's stimulus bill is creating the jobs he promised ... Today's unemployment report proves that this Administration is ignoring reality ... The president's economic experiment simply isn't working, and Americans shouldn't expect his government-run health care experiment to work, either."

House Minority Whip Eric Cantor: "Since President Obama signed his stimulus bill into law, nearly 2.5 million people have lost their jobs. In the eyes of the American people, that is not success. Families across the country are struggling to cut costs and cope with a tough job market, and they see a massive disconnect between that reality and the President's agenda."

House GOP Study Committee Chairman Tom Price: "Despite all the evidence to the contrary, the White House continues to tout the alleged success of their so-called stimulus bill. The Democrats' unprecedented level of government borrowing and spending will not stimulate job creation, nor has it stopped the job losses being experienced by so many Americans."

Continue reading "Republicans Jump On Latest Job Numbers" »

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 09:00 AM | Email Author | Permalink

The Republican National Committee is launching a new television ad on health care that targets senior citizens. The ad, airing nationally on cable stations as well as on other channels in Florida, features Chairman Michael Steele advocating for a "Seniors Bill of Rights."

"Join us in supporting a new Seniors' Bill of Rights. Let's agree in both parties that Congress should only consider health reform proposals that protect senior citizens," Steele says in the ad. "Oh and President Obama, it's not too late to change your mind. Stand with us and stand with senior citizens. After all, they've earned it."

The Democratic National Committee responded to the ad this morning. "Michael Steele and the Republicans are unbelievable," said DNC spokesman Brad Woodhouse. "After failing to stop the President on the Recovery Act, the budget, equal pay for women and children's health care, Republicans have decided that they have no other choice when it comes to blocking health insurance reform than to lie to the American people and try to scare seniors."

Here is the ad:

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 11:00 AM | Email Author | Permalink

If freshman congressmen Bill Foster (D-Ill.) and Frank Kratovil (D-Md.) turn on their TVs at home this week, they may see their own faces alongside a headshot of Nancy Pelosi in a new ad from the National Republican Congressional Committee. The ad targets the Democrats on the issue of health care.

"Foster already votes with Pelosi 90% of the time, now what do you think he'll do?" the narrator states in the ad. "Call Foster, tell him to oppose Pelosi's cuts to Medicare."

Both Democrats succeeded Republicans in the 2008 elections. Foster took over Illinois's 14th District, formerly represented by Republican Speaker Dennis Hastert, in a March 2008 special election against Jim Oberweis. Foster won a full term in November.

Kratovil won Maryland's 1st District, whose moderate Republican incumbent, Wayne Gilchrest, was defeated by a more conservative challenger in the GOP primary. Kratovil defeated Andy Harris (R) by less than 1 point in the general election.

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 12:35 PM | Email Author | Permalink

The National Republican Congressional Committee is launching a 30-second TV ad in the districts of Reps. Michael Arcuri (D-N.Y.) and Zack Space (D-Ohio) that ties them to Nancy Pelosi and a health care reform plan that includes "higher costs, tax hikes, and, get this, massive cuts to Medicare."

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 09:30 AM | Email Author | Permalink

The Republican National Committee announced this morning that it raised $6 million last month, leaving it with nearly $22 million cash on hand and no debt. The take is down from it's $8 million haul in June, but in line with its April and May fundraising totals.

"The RNC continues to mount a very effective fundraising effort and we are extremely thankful to the Americans who have contributed to the financial success of our Party. The Republican Party will be successful in the coming elections this fall and in 2010 thanks to the generosity of our donors," RNC Chairman Michael Steele said in a released statement.

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 09:35 AM | Email Author | Permalink

If Bob McDonnell and Chris Christie win gubernatorial elections this fall, some Republicans will be eager to call it the first sign of a comeback for the party. One person who won't be, apparently, is Gov. Haley Barbour, chair of the Republican Governors Association.

Asked specifically about the contest in New Jersey on a conference call today, Barbour said: "Chris Christie is ahead in the polls in New Jersey because people in New Jersey don't like what Jon Corzine's done." It's the Democrats who are eager to nationalize the race, he added, while Republicans like him "think that race, and I hope that race, is decided very much on local and New Jersey issues."

It's not surprising in New Jersey, where Republicans have not won a statewide election since 1997. Christie is hardly calling attention to his partisan affiliation, something national party leaders praised. And even in a blue state, they don't think President Obama will make a difference.

"Barack Obama didn't get Jon Corzine's job approval down to 35 percent," Barbour said. "Christie's ahead in the polls in New Jersey because people in New Jersey look over the four years that Corzine has been governor, and they don't like the results."

This week, the RGA hosted 29 candidates who will be running in 2010 races around the country, as well as nine incumbents. These governors are being encouraged to, like Christie, shape their message not on any national message but based on what are the top concerns in their states.

"I think the Republicans are going to do surprisingly well in 2010 based on the caliber of the people we've been talking with," said Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle, herself a Republican governor in a deep blue state.

UPDATE: Check out DGA Executive Director Nate Daschle's response after the jump.

Continue reading "Would Gubernatorial Wins Signal GOP Comeback?" »

Posted by Mike Memoli at 03:55 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Leading Republican governors seemed to downplay the statements from Sarah Palin while embracing to an extent the passion of town hall participants who have been vocal in their opposition to health care reform.

Gov. Haley Barbour (R-Miss.), chair of the Republican Governors Association, told reporters this afternoon that one reason people are reacting so strongly around the country is because they think the White House is moving far too quickly on an issue of tremendous concern.

"The Obamas took six months to pick a dog. How come they [had] to pass a health care bill before the August recess?" he said. "Everything has been, 'We gotta do it right now.' The American people realize this is too much, too far, too fast, too many trillions of dollars."

Gov. Sonny Perdue (R-Ga.) took a swipe at Democratic leaders for diminishing the voice of ordinary Americans, saying the town hall meetings are "democracy in action."

"For some Democratic members of Congress to call that anti-democratic is just ludicrous," he said, no doubt referring to the op-ed today from Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. "They want to blame things on Astroturf, [but] these are citizens that are very concerned, very fearful for their jobs, and their family, and their future health needs."

Continue reading "Barbour Criticizes Obama's Health Care Haste" »

Posted by Mike Memoli at 03:30 PM | Email Author | Permalink

The ongoing debate over the tenor of the town hall meetings continues.

House Minority Leader John Boehner is now reacting to the USA Today op-ed this morning from Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. The Democratic leaders criticized the vocal opposition who are disrupting town hall meetings, saying their effort to drown out "opposing views is simply un-American."

In a statement, Boehner accuses the Democratic leaders themselves of working "to silence any opposing views." "Every poll taken in the last month shows that a majority of Americans are concerned about, if not outright opposed to, the Democrats' plan because of the cost and consequences it would mean for their own health care," the Ohioan says. "Each public forum should give every participant the opportunity to express their views, but to label Americans who are expressing vocal opposition to the Democrats' plan 'un-American' is outrageous and reprehensible."

The statement concludes that when Congress returns from recess, "Democrats should scrap their costly plan and finally work on bipartisan reforms that give Americans what they are seeking: better access to affordable care."

Posted by Mike Memoli at 01:13 PM | Email Author | Permalink

The Republican National Committee is launching radio ads in the districts of the four Blue Dog Democrats who helped the House Energy and Commerce Committee approve the health care reform bill.

The four targeted Democrats are Reps. Bart Gordon (TN-06), Zack Space (OH-18), Baron Hill (IN-09) and Mike Ross (AR-04). Click on the districts to hear the ads.

The district-specific ads say the Democrat "folded like a lawn chair" and say about the health care bill: "It's big government. It's big money. And it'll hit you where it hurts." Listeners are asked to call their Member of Congress and "tell him to stop voting with Nancy Pelosi."

Democrats are running ads in GOP districts blaming Republicans for doing just the opposite -- working to halt the health care reform bill. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is targeting more than two dozen House Republicans with radio ads, automated calls and other tactics.

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 12:00 PM | Email Author | Permalink

In a move that should give the Virginia gubernatorial nominee some more national exposure, Bob McDonnell was chosen to give the weekly Republican national address this Saturday. The speech will air nationally on TV and radio.

According to his campaign, McDonnell will discuss "the need for new jobs and more opportunities in Virginia and nationwide," as well as "proactive policy proposals that will help create the good-paying jobs of tomorrow" and "the importance of preventing the enactment of policies that would endanger the jobs of today and impede American competitiveness in the global economy."

McDonnell is currently up in the polls by more than 10 points against Democrat Creigh Deeds.

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 04:45 PM | Email Author | Permalink

The National Republican Congressional Committee sent out a memo to GOP candidates nationwide with issues and ideas to focus on during Congress's five-week recess.

"Vulnerable Democrats are limping into the August recess in their most-weakened condition since the inception of their majority," the memo reads. "This presents a prime opportunity for Republican candidates to spend the next five weeks on the offensive."

The NRCC wants its candidates to focus on a lack of job creation from the economic stimulus bill, health care as a "massive government takeover," and the climate change bill as "nothing more than a tax that will affect anyone who turns on a light switch."

"Democrats are leaving Washington on the defensive, and as a Republican challenger candidate, you must do everything you can to own the issues and frame the debate," the memo concludes. "Keeping these themes in mind, Republican candidates can effectively communicate and frame the debate. If your opponent wants to stand by their support for failed economic policies, then you might consider asking them: 'Where are the jobs?' "

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced this morning what it's calling a "major advertising and grassroots offensive" on health care in some two dozen GOP districts. The campaign will focus on Republicans siding with health insurance companies "at the expense of affordable health care."

"This August we are going district-by-district to hold Republicans accountable for trying to obstruct health insurance reform through their scare tactics and just-say-no protection of big insurance companies," said DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen.

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 12:00 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Sitting around a conference table in the GOP's Capitol Hill headquarters yesterday with a group of political reporters, Texas Republican Rep. Pete Sessions, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, broke down his organization's strategy for winning back control of Congress. After the loss of more than 50 House seats in two election cycles, the re-energized NRCC is pushing challengers and incumbents to earn its support.

The retooled "Young Guns" program for well-organized GOP challengers in Democratic districts is broken down to a three-part process where goals such as volunteer recruitment, fundraising, and a set number of door knocks must be met to enter the program and then advance.

"We want every single candidate to be in [the program], even when there's a competitive primary," Sessions said. "We believe that if you follow the three steps, you will find yourself maybe the winner of the primary -- though we don't guarantee that."

Thirteen challengers are already in the Young Guns program, including former Reps. Steve Pearce in New Mexico and Steve Chabot in Ohio, and two have already been endorsed -- Adam Kinzinger in Illinois's 11th District and Dennis Ross in Florida's 12th District. Democrats picked up the Illinois seat last year, and GOP Rep. Adam Putnam is retiring from the Florida district, which John McCain barely won in 2008.

Sessions said there would be at least twice as many challengers needed to defeat 40 Democratic incumbents for control of the House, though he refused to predict how many the GOP would pick up this year. The overarching theme will be "the effectiveness of the economy" and the way Democrats have conducted their aggressive agenda.

"We are going to work the angle that it is Democratic members who support Nancy Pelosi and empower her to do business the way she is," he said.

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 04:00 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Here is my piece today on fundraising in districts won by incumbents with 55% or less:

As Democrats gear up for 2010, they face a daunting historical fact: since Abraham Lincoln, only two newly-elected presidents have seen their party gain seats in Congress in their first midterm election.

Aside from the weight of history, there are other ominous signs for Democrats, who now have complete control of the government and are laboring to govern through an ongoing economic recession: Obama's approval ratings are slipping, unemployment remains high, Congress is taking up a string of big-ticket items in health care reform and climate change, and the gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia look favorable for the GOP.

A bright spot for Democrats, however, is the strength of their fundraising in congressional swing districts.

A RealClearPolitics analysis of fundraising by some of the most vulnerable incumbents shows Democrats in good shape. And the campaign finance reports released this month offer fresh data for the Democratic and Republican campaign committees as they refine their search for vulnerable incumbents in 2010.

Read the rest here.

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 03:15 PM | Email Author | Permalink

In a demonstration of how the battle over health care is won or lost in the Senate, the RNC launches a new TV ad today that will air in Arkansas, Nevada and North Dakota targeting key senators with the message that America can't afford health care reform of the kind President Obama is proposing.

NARRATOR: "They've loaned Barack Obama their future, without even knowing it. Trillions for rushed government bailouts and takeovers, banks, the auto industry. The biggest spending spree in our nation's history. And they'll have to pay. The next big ticket item? A risky experiment with our health care. Barack Obama's massive spending experiment hasn't healed our economy. His new experiment risks their future and our health. The Republican National Committee is responsible for the content of this advertising."

The health care fight, then, gives us the peculiar situation of both national committees targeting some of the same senators. Last week, Organizing for America also launched TV ads in Arkansas and North Dakota, as well as Indiana, Ohio and Florida. But while OFA aims to sway both Republicans and Democrats, the RNC ads target only Democrats, namely Arkansas' Lincoln and Pryor, Budget Committee chair Kent Conrad of North Dakota, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Reid and Lincoln are both targets for Republicans in Senate races in 2010.

The visuals of the RNC ad -- full of children -- are in line with the party's renewed focus on America's fiscal situation. The Washington Post/ABC poll found today that Obama's most vulnerable issues appear to be his handling of the deficit, as well as health care.

Posted by Mike Memoli at 11:46 AM | Email Author | Permalink

The Republican National Committee announced today it raised $8 million last month, leaving it with $23.7 million on hand and no debt as of the end of June. Last month's haul is a bump from previous months -- the RNC raised $5.7 million in May and $5.8 million in April.

"The RNC had another month of strong fundraising," said RNC Chairman Michael Steele. "We are thankful to the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have contributed to the financial success of our Party. We have important campaigns this year and are able to be fully engaged through the generosity of our donors."

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 11:11 AM | Email Author | Permalink

As job numbers continue to worsen, Republicans are debuting a new mascot in their campaign against the Democrats' stimulus plan: Ellie Mae, a job-seeking bloodhound. In a web video released this morning by the office of House Minority Leader John Boehner, Ellie Mae goes on "the money trail" in search of jobs: from AIG headquarters, to Wisconsin and North Carolina.

"I'm John Boehner; this is Ellie Mae," the congressman says in the ad. "She hasn't found any stimulus jobs yet, and neither have the American people. It's time to stop run away spending in Washington and help small businesses get the economy running again. Hang in there, honey, we'll find 'em."

The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced this morning that 467,000 jobs were lost last month -- higher than projected -- and the unemployment rate ticked up some to 9.5 percent.

"This is a lighthearted web video, but the underlying point is no laughing matter," Boehner states in a press release. "At a time when Americans are looking to Washington for leadership, the trillion-dollar 'stimulus' isn't working."

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 09:15 AM | Email Author | Permalink

Shortly after the House squeezed in a vote on the Waxman-Markey energy and climate change bill late Friday, Members hit the road for a week-long Fourth of July break. While back in their districts, though, some will be inundated by opposition efforts from the parties' House campaign arms.

The National Republican Congressional Committee is targeting Democrats in Ohio and Virginia that voted for the energy bill. Press releases went out to the formerly Republican districts of Ohio Dems John Boccieri, Steve Driehaus, Mary Jo Kilroy and Zack Space -- all of whom are in their first or second terms.

"Whatever favors Mary Jo Kilroy might have traded for her support for Nancy Pelosi's National Energy Tax, they hardly make up for the higher energy costs and lost jobs that will plague Ohio as a result of their Kilroy's Washington horse trading," NRCC spokesman Ken Spain said in one release. "Mary Jo Kilroy owes her constituents an explanation as to why she continues to back an agenda that is nothing short of destructive to Ohio families."

Releases also went out in the Virginia districts of Tom Perriello and Rick Boucher. John McCain won both of their districts in 2008. In separate statements, Spain said Boucher "sold out Southwest Virginia's middle class" because of the coal jobs some project will be lost, and Perriello showed an "utter lack of concern" for middle class families in his majority rural district.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is launching 60-second radio ads to run during drive-time in the districts of seven Republicans who voted against the supplemental appropriations bill, which among other things funds the wars through September. The House agreed to the conference report June 16 on a 226-202 roll call vote; the Senate approved it two days later.

Those targeted are: Ken Calvert (CA), Charlie Dent (PA), Jim Gerlach (PA), Dan Lungren (CA), Mike McCaul (TX), Lee Terry (NE) and Joe Wilson (SC).

"Republicans never hesitated to criticize those who voted against the previous supplemental bills that included funding for the troops, but now that they are trying to score political points, Republicans' votes have conveniently changed," DCCC executive director Jon Vogel said in a statement released Friday. "So this Independence Day, we are going district by district to hold these hypocritical Republicans accountable."

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 01:45 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) was elected chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee today. He replaces Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.), who recently stepped down after revealing an extramarital affair.

Thune, who had been serving as conference vice chair, was elected without opposition, according to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell at an afternoon press conference.

Thune said he looked forward to helping "shape an agenda that I think will move America forward and will serve as a counter to some of the agenda items...that are currently being proposed by the president and Democrats in Congress."

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who had held an unofficial seat at the leadership table, will replace Thune as conference vice chair.

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 05:30 PM | Email Author | Permalink

During a gripping press conference carried live on national cable, Gov. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.) acknowledged having been unfaithful to his wife for the past year, and also misleading his own staff and through them the state about his whereabouts in the past week.

"I've let down a lot of people, and that's the bottom line," an emotional Sanford told a horde of reporters in Columbia.

As he asked for forgiveness, he announced he would resign as the chairman of the Republican Governors Association. The chairman of his own state party, Katon Dawson, did not rule out that there may be further consequences for Sanford, a polarizing figure even in his own state party, telling Fox News that the "chips fall pretty quickly in South Carolina."

Sanford revealed to reporters that he developed a strong relationship with a woman in Argentina eight years ago, ironically as he counseled her to stay with her husband for the sake of her children. Sanford has four young sons.

"It began very innocently as I suspect many of these things do, in just a casual email back and forth," he said. He sought her out as refuge from the pressure-cooker life of politics, where he said he found it hard to ever let his guard down.

"There was this zone of protectedness. She lived thousands of miles away and I was up here and you could throw an idea out or vice versa," he said.

But in the past year, "it sparked into something more than that," and he said he traveled to see her three times. Five months ago, this relationship was "discovered" as he put it. "And at that point we went into serious overdrive, where do you go from here," he said.

What's significant about Sanford's account is that it means a family crisis was unfolding just as the governor was taking a high-profile role in fighting the Obama administration's efforts to pass, and then implement a stimulus program. The Recovery Act was passed in mid-February, and when Sanford came to Washington weeks later for the National Governors Association meeting, he made opposition to the spending program a rallying point for Republican governors.

"I think the nation's governors are going through ... and doing what should have been done in Congress," he told RCP this February about his efforts.

Continue reading "Sanford Family Learned Of Affair Amid Stimulus Battle" »

Posted by Mike Memoli at 03:45 PM | Email Author | Permalink

House Minority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) released the following statement in response to President Obama's press conference:

"The West Wing press conference is the latest public relations effort to combat the American people's growing discomfort with the actions of this Administration. The disconnect between the Administration's goals and those of Congressional Democrats only serve to make matters more cloudy at a time when we all should be focused on jobs, economic growth, and financial security.

"Plain and simple, the American people are concerned about the economy, job creation and the incredible debt obligations incurred in the last 6 months. Republicans have offered common-sense ideas and solutions that would have created real jobs, improved our economy and spent less tax dollars.

"The President continues to push for a government healthcare plan that will increase costs, reduce patient choice and flexibility, and lower the quality of care. Now we hear that Speaker Pelosi intends to pass the Cap & Tax plan this week which will impose a hard-hitting tax upon families and small businesses costing our struggling economy thousands of jobs.

"We stand ready to work together with the President to get America back to work, but we refuse to sit by idly as the Democrat majority tries to force this unfocused assortment of tax increases and job-killing policies upon the American people. Democrat-controlled Washington is completely disconnected with the reality faced by millions of Americans who are growing weary with the lack of focus, accountability and results."

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 01:50 PM | Email Author | Permalink

The RNC reports raising $5.7 million in May, leaving the committee with $21.5 million cash-on-hand "and zero debt."

"I am pleased that the Republican National Committee continues to show solid fundraising numbers, and we are grateful to the countless Americans who have contributed to our Party. We have important and competitive elections this fall and next year. With another month of strong fundraising numbers, we are confident and well positioned to win," said RNC Chairman Michael Steele.

The party had raised $5.8 million in April and ended the month with $24.4 million on hand.

Posted by Mike Memoli at 09:24 AM | Email Author | Permalink

The announcement yesterday by Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) that he had an extramarital affair and today's news that Senate leadership has removed him as head of the Republican Policy Committee (the No. 4 slot on the totem pole) means the Republican Party has lost a leading voice in its efforts to deride Democratic policies and promote its own.

Ensign led a credible, yet unsuccessful, effort as head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee during the 2008 election cycle, and in this Congress has been at the forefront of several policy debates. Perhaps his biggest victory of the year was the gun amendment Ensign added on to the D.C. Voting Rights bill, which ultimately led to its demise in the House of Representatives.

Now in his second term representing a state increasingly important to presidential elections, Ensign was twice elected with 55 percent of the vote -- in 2000 and 2006 -- and regularly carries far better approval ratings than his Nevada counterpart, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). A survey released last month found Ensign with a 53 percent approval rating compared to Reid's 38 percent.

Whether Ensign was preparing for a presidential bid or not, his fall from grace seems just as far.

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 03:45 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Here's a statement from Sen. John Ensign's office:

Las Vegas, NV -- Senator John Ensign made the following statement today regarding a personal matter:

"I came home to Nevada to come forward and explain to the citizens of our state something that I was involved in about a year ago. Last year I had an affair. I violated the vows of my marriage. It is the worst thing I have ever done in my life. If there was ever anything in my life that I could take back, this would be it.

"I take full responsibility for my actions.

"I know that I have deeply hurt and disappointed my wife Darlene, my children, my family, my friends, my staff and others who believed in me. To all of them, especially my wife, I am deeply sorry. I am truly blessed to have a wife who has forgiven me. We sought counseling last year and have built a stronger marriage -- stronger than ever.

"I will not mention any names but the woman who I was involved with and her husband were close friends and both of them worked for me. Our families were close. That closeness put me into situations which led to my inappropriate behavior. We caused deep pain to both families and for that I am sorry.

"I am committed to my service in the United States Senate and my work on behalf of the people of NV.

"Thank you."

Posted by Mike Memoli at 06:58 PM | Email Author | Permalink

So much for the Ensign 2012 bandwagon.

Rumors have floated in Washington about a sex scandal breaking today. Now AP is reporting that Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) had an affair with a campaign staffer.

Ensign told The Associated Press in a statement, "I deeply regret and am very sorry for my actions."

An aide in Ensign's office said the affair took place between December 2007 and August 2008, with a campaign staffer who was married to an employee in Ensign's Senate office. Neither have worked for the senator since May 2008. The aide spoke on condition of anonymity.

The aide declined to comment on Ensign's political future.

He'll reportedly speak publicly within the hour, from Las Vegas.

Ensign recently traveled to Iowa in a visit that immediately set off speculation he was considering a presidential bid in 2012.

This comes as Nevada's only other Republican statewide officials are also fending off scandal. Gov. Jim Gibbons is currently going through a divorce, with his estranged wife alleging he was unfaithful as well. In December 2008, Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki was indicted on four felony counts based on alleged wrongdoing in his previous role as the Silver State's treasurer.

Developing...

Posted by Mike Memoli at 06:03 PM | Email Author | Permalink

House Minority Leader John Boehner and Whip Eric Cantor released the following statements today in response to President Obama's speech at the American Medical Association's annual conference in Chicago. Obama said today "the road to prosperity remains long and difficult" and that "one essential step on our journey is to control the spiraling cost of health care in America."

Boehner:

"House Republicans want to work with President Obama on a plan to make health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans. We're pleased the President has expressed rhetorical support for medical liability reform, but fact is the effect of even the strongest medical liability reforms would be negated by a government takeover of health care that raises taxes, rations care, and drives health care costs even higher.

"Real medical liability reform must establish tough standards to reform the medical liability system, encourage the speedy resolution of claims, and deter junk lawsuits. If President Obama is serious about reducing the skyrocketing cost of health care, he'll press his own party to include real medical liability reform as part of a reform package that puts patients and doctors in charge of their health care rather than putting government in charge. House Republicans are offering such a plan, and we hope to work with the President and our Democratic colleagues to enact it."

Continue reading "House GOP Leaders React to Health Care Speech" »

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 02:30 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Democrats and MSNBC pundits delightedly flogged yesterday's Gallup Poll that found most voters have no idea who "speaks for" the Republican Party.

Of those Republicans most named by the Gallup participants, only John McCain (picked by 6%) even holds elective office. Topping the list were Rush Limbaugh (13%) and Dick Cheney (10%), with Newt Gingrich polling 6% and George W. Bush 3%. The "1% Club" included GOP House Minority Leader John Boehner, RNC Chairman Michael Steele and likely 2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

"While being associated with the party of the sitting president gives the Democrats a natural advantage over the Republicans in having a well-defined person representing them, these data clearly underscore the leadership vacuum that confronts the Republican Party today," Gallup's Frank Newport wrote.

The Gallup survey provides a fascinating snapshot in time, but things change quickly. Who would have said Barack Obama "speaks for" the Democrats in January 2008, before he won the Iowa caucuses? Three years away from the next presidential election, with Republicans the minority party in Congress and out of power in the White House, is it really surprising a single spokesman has not risen to the fore? And is it really a bad thing for the GOP?

With the economy in the tank and unpopular bailouts dominating the news, it might be politically convenient for Republicans right now that voters are clear only about who speaks for Democrats -- 60% say Barack Obama and 20% say Nancy Pelosi.

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 01:30 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Actor Jon Voight proved last night that there are conservative Republicans in Hollywood. Yes, it's true, though House and Senate Republicans could hardly believe it.

Some 2,000 people joined 33 GOP senators and about 150 House members at the annual fundraising dinner for the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee. The GOP campaign arms raised a combined $14.5 million from the affair, held at the Washington Convention Center.

While the buzz centered on the presence of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and the keynote address by former Speaker Newt Gingrich, Voight, who emceed the event, gave an opening speech that left many, well, speechless.

"Everything Obama has recommended has turned out to be disastrous," Voight said, before listing the economic stimulus package, government-owned car companies, rising unemployment, Israel and health care. Voight said Obama "turned out to be radically liberal," and said Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Obama adviser David Axelrod, among others, are to blame "for the downfall of this country."

"We and we alone are the only people who can free this nation from this Obama oppression," said Voight, who made several appearances last year at the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Upon stepping to the podium, elected officials were elated with the speech and joked that it may hurt Voight's future employment opportunities.

"One of the most courageous acts in our society today is to stand up in Hollywood and say you're a conservative Republican," said Rep. Paul Ryan (Wisc.), who introduced the Oscar-winning actor.

"Wasn't that a great speech?" asked Sen. Orrin Hatch (Utah).

"Isn't it a refreshing thing to hear a person from Hollywood give the kind of speech Jon did tonight," said NRSC Chairman John Cornyn. "Jon, we need more people like you in Hollywood to speak their conscience."

"I'm still just reveling in hearing someone from Hollywood give a speech like that," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Kent.). "I hope you're going to be able to find work after this."

Gingrich, opening what would be close to an hour-long speech, said Voight "has given you the battle cry for the next few years," referencing a quote Voight used from his characterization of President Franklin Roosevelt in the movie, "Pearl Harbor."

"I think the phrase, 'Don't tell me it can't be done,' is about as good a way to start thinking about 2010 and 2012 as you could imagine," Gingrich said. "I recognize that 2009 is not 1994. But I want to say to you Republicans -- we have been here before."

The theme of the night among the Senate and House leaders was party unity and winning back control of Congress. McConnell referred to Minority Leader John Boehner (Ohio) as "my buddy," and Boehner said he "could not have a greater partner."

Cornyn and NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions, both from Texas, expressed optimism for the midterm elections. "I'm excited about our opportunities in 2010," Cornyn said. Sessions stepped to the podium and held up the card denoting his table number: 218, which happens to be the number of House seats needed for a majority. "Our job on the House side is to retire Nancy Pelosi," he said.

Facing a 78-seat deficit in the House and down to just 40 seats in the Senate, winning back Congress next year will be a tall order. However, as Gingrich reiterated at the close of his speech, Republicans -- at least publicly -- think they have a chance.

"Do not tell me it can't be done. It was true for FDR. It's true for us."

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 01:00 PM | Email Author | Permalink

With the Bureau of Labor Statistics' announcement this morning that the unemployment rate had risen to 9.4 percent, Republican leaders have taken the opportunity to decry the economic policies pushed this year by a Democrat-controlled White House and Congress.

--"Today's unemployment rate is the highest in more than a quarter century, and it's another reminder of how Washington is hanging middle-class Americans out to dry," said House Minority Leader John Boehner (Ohio).

--"Today's unemployment numbers confirm that the Democrat economic stimulus bill is not creating the jobs President Obama promised," said RNC Chairman Michael Steele. "The President and Vice President may believe they are 'creating or saving' jobs but no one else is fooled. ... Americans need jobs, not presidential happy talk."

--"We must refocus on employment, yet Speaker Pelosi and the unchecked Democrat majorities continue to increase Washington's hand in the free market, taking away natural incentives to create jobs," said House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (Va.).

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 09:30 AM | Email Author | Permalink

Patience. That was the magic word invoked by the five conservatives participating in the 2009 Bradley Symposium, hosted yesterday by the Hudson Institute at the St. Regis Hotel in downtown Washington.

This edition of the annual panel discussion was entitled "Making Conservatism Credible Again," and brought together pundits and elected officials to discuss why conservatism is on the outs and what conservatives can do about it. The conclusion was that the movement is just lost at the moment and Americans will come around again, eventually.

"We'll have to practice another virtue, which is patience," said Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R). "We're going to have to spend some time in the penalty box. And our fellow citizens are going to eventually say, 'Alright, we'll listen. Did you learn anything? Did you hear us? Do you have any new, good ideas for us?'"

Later, Daniels said, "The system seems to find an equilibrium, and it will again."

Continue reading "A Return to Conservatism? Be Patient" »

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 11:45 AM | Email Author | Permalink

Republican leaders in Washington responded to the GM bankruptcy announcement and subsequent White House plan. Here are excerpts of statements by RNC Chair Michael Steele, House Minority Leader John Boehner (Ohio) and House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (Va.):

Steele: "No matter how much the President spins GM's bankruptcy as good for the economy, it is nothing more than another government grab of a private company and another handout to the union cronies who helped bankroll his presidential campaign. President Obama will now own 60 percent of GM, and his union buddies will own almost 20 percent. And what do the taxpayers get? They'll get stuck with up to a $50 billion tab for the taxpayer dollars Obama is using to pay for his takeover of GM."

Boehner: "This agreement may buy some time, but does nothing to ensure GM's success. The only thing it makes clear is that the government is firmly in the business of running companies using taxpayer dollars. Does anyone really believe that politicians and bureaucrats in Washington can successfully steer a multinational corporation to economic viability?"

Cantor: "The nature of this bankruptcy agreement raises serious questions about the ultimate cost to millions of Americans. While the government has now subsidized GM to the tune of $50 billion, the Administration has not demonstrated the ability to account for this enormous taxpayer expenditure. That must change - taxpayers deserve far better oversight and accountability."

The RNC also released a web video with clips of Obama stating he has no interest in running GM.

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 04:00 PM | Email Author | Permalink

The National Republican Congressional Committee is launching a radio and robocall offensive against Democrats for voting against an investigation into Speaker Nancy Pelosi's claim that the CIA misled Congress on interrogation techniques.

The radio ad will run in the districts of six Democratic members of Congress: Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24), Glenn Nye (VA-02), Tom Perriello (VA-05), Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD-AL), Vic Snyder (AR-02) and Harry Teague (NM-02).

The robocalls are going out in 10 districts: John Boccierri (OH-16), Bobby Bright (AL-02), John Hall (NY-19), Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-01), Harry Mitchell (AZ-05), Walt Minnick (ID-01), Mark Schauer (MI-07), Steve Kagen (WI-08) and Larry Kissell (NC-08).

The ads and robocalls, which can be heard here, give the Members' office telephone number and ask the listener to call and request that the congressman either "stop siding with" or "stop voting to protect" Pelosi.

The NRCC previously announced the launch of a TV ad in Maryland's 1st District, represented by freshman Rep. Frank Kratovil (D). The purpose and content of the ad is much the same as the radio ads and robocalls.

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 03:30 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele issued a statement of rebuke a mere 20 minutes after the White House released its "100 Days, 100 Projects" report on the 100th day since President Obama signed the economic stimulus package.

"In the Obama administration the word 'report' must be code for 'PR,' " Steele said. "One hundred days after spending $787 billion of the taxpayers' money, President Obama is touting a second progress 'report' on the stimulus bill to convince voters his reckless spending plan is working. Let's be clear: 100 projects, nearly $1 trillion spent, and 1 million jobs lost doesn't sound like progress to me. The Obama administration may believe its own spin, but American families want jobs and to keep more of what they earn, not another 'report.' "

According to the report, "In the first 100 days since President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law, we have obligated more than $112 billion, created more than 150,000 jobs."

Republicans, though, would like to keep the focus on the current job numbers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported at the beginning of the month that 539,000 jobs were lost in April, increasing the unemployment rate from 8.5 percent to 8.9 percent.

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 01:35 PM | Email Author | Permalink

The three top Republican leaders in the House issued statements responding to Speaker Nancy Pelosi's news conference today -- which was heavier on opening remarks than answering reporters' questions.

Minority Leader John Boehner:

"Today, the Speaker stood by her accusation against our intelligence professionals. She has had more than a week to produce evidence supporting her allegation that the CIA deliberately lied to Congress and does so 'all the time.' She still has not done so, and House Democrats are now stonewalling a bipartisan investigation to determine the facts. That is simply unacceptable. Claiming that the CIA engaged in a pattern of deception without either backing it up with evidence or retracting her statement and apologizing is an affront to the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our country. They deserve better than this type of stonewalling."

Continue reading "House GOP Leaders Respond To Pelosi Newser" »

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 03:50 PM | Email Author | Permalink

NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain issued the following statement in response to the Democratic leadership press conference:

"Speaker Pelosi stammered and filibustered around the elephant in the room because she knows full well that she has become a political liability to her fellow Democrats in Congress. Her obsession with the previous administration and her disdain for America's intelligence officials has reduced her to cheerleader status within the far left wing of her party and a distraction to the substantive debate over how to best move our economy forward."

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 11:45 AM | Email Author | Permalink

Former Vice President Dick Cheney, speaking just after President Obama's speech on terrorism, torture and Guantanamo Bay, defended the Bush administration's anti-terrorism tactics and said his perspective on his role as vice president changed drastically after September 11, 2001.

"There in the bunker came the reports and the images that so many Americans remember from that day," Cheney said, as he described some of the horrifying scenes he and the general public watched that day.

"In the years since, I've heard occassional speculation that I'm a different man after 9/11. I wouldn't say that. But I'll freely admit that watching a coordinated, devastating attack on our country from an underground bunker at the White House can affect how you view your responsibilities."

On the focus of interrogation techniques used under the Bush administration, and which Obama has put an end to, Cheney said it's far more important to look forward than to continue to investigate what happened in the past.

"It's hard to imagine a worst president filled with more possibilities for trouble and abuse than to have an incoming administration criminalize the policiy decisions of his predecessor," Cheney said. "The danger here is a loss of focus on national security and what it requires."

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 11:40 AM | Email Author | Permalink

The reaction to Dick Cheney's media blitz the last few weeks has been divided within the Republican Party.

National Journal's bi-weekly poll of political operatives, released Friday, found that 57 percent of Republican ops think Cheney has hurt the GOP since leaving office, while 33 percent say he's helped (5 percent said he's had no effect, 5 percent said "both").

Then you have Byron York's piece today, which quotes John Weaver, the Republican strategist who advised Jon Huntsman on a possible presidential run and was a longtime adviser to Sen. John McCain: "If it's 2012 and our party is defined by Palin and Limbaugh and Cheney, then we're headed for a blowout. That's just the truth."

However, on the Sunday talk shows, Republican leaders John Boehner and Michael Steele defended the former vice president's actions. Calling Cheney "a big member in our party," Boehner said "having these voices out there doesn't hurt us, it helps us."

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 11:20 AM | Email Author | Permalink

Expanding the party base to include more minorities was a leading topic at the Republican National Committee meeting in January, when members gathered in Washington to elect a new party chairman. It's also one of the calling cards of Michael Steele, the party's controversial new chief.

Well, population estimates released today by the U.S. Census Bureau prove GOP leaders were on the right track in identifying a key to electoral success in the future. Minority voters are quickly becoming a dominant force in politics.

With two stinging national losses fresh in mind, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in January discussed at length the party's need to reach out to Latino voters. One committeeman told RealClearPolitics that the GOP could "soon lose Texas" if something isn't done. (Texas has voted Republican in the last eight presidential elections.)

Sure enough, today's Census release shows increasing minority populations in vital electoral states. In 2008, Florida's Orange County -- the 35th largest county in America -- became a majority-minority county, meaning more than half of its residents are non-white. In 2008, two of the three House Republican incumbents in Orange County's three congressional districts were defeated.

Two counties in Texas were also among the six nationally to become majority-minority last year. Since 2000, 56 counties have become majority-minority, bringing the total to 309, or 10% of the nation's counties.

Census estimates show that minorities now account for 34% of the U.S. population, as well as 47% of children under the age of five. If the last election wasn't a loud enough wake-up call for the GOP, perhaps these numbers will be.

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 01:30 PM | Email Author | Permalink

National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn, speaking at a rushed Senate GOP leadership press conference shortly after 2 p.m. today:

"While we were disappointed by Senator Specter's decision to switch parties, he's very candid to acknowledge that this is nothing more, nothing less than political self-preservation. As Leader McConnell indicated, his own pollster told him he could not win the Republican primary in Pennsylvania. So his only options were to leave the Senate or to switch parties, because he was convinced he could not win as an independent.

"I can tell you that in 2010 we are working very hard to make sure that we have the kind of candidates across the country on a national scale that will allow the Republican Party to regain our status as a national party, and run competitive races in blue states, and purple states and in red states. And we will be running competitive races in all the states currently held by our Democratic colleagues. We're going to be running hard to support our Republican incumbents who are running again. And in those states where there have been retirements, we'll be supporting our nominees in those states.

"I believe that we will be able to regain our status as a national party by being competitive nationally. And I do believe this decision by Senator Specter was a personal decision limited to his Republican primary prospects in Pennsylvania. Nothing more and nothing less."

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 02:15 PM | Email Author | Permalink

RCP's Greg Bobrinskoy provides the following analysis of Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter's switch to the Democratic Party:

There is only one reason moderate Republican Arlen Specter is changing party affiliations to become a Democrat. An April poll showed him losing in the Pennsylvania Republican Primary to the strongly conservative Pat Toomey by 21 points. Unlike in Connecticut, Specter wouldn't be able to run as an independent after losing the GOP primary, as Joe Lieberman successfully did in 2006 after Democrats chose a different nominee. Thus, the only way Specter stands a chance for a sixth term is to become a Democrat. Every other reason is secondary.

Specter wrote in his statement today, "Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans."

These are two different, and mostly unrelated sentences. While Specter and others have and will claim that his switch is due to the party's exceeding move to the right, everyone knows Specter would have stayed a Republican if he could have won the Pennsylvania primary and thus been the heavy favorite in the general election.

Continue reading "Analysis: Specter's Switch All Politics" »

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 02:10 PM | Email Author | Permalink

As Congress opens hearings on new energy policies, John McCain said President Obama is pursuing a strategy that is a "revenue generator for the federal government," not a solution to the threat of climate change.

In addition, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee argued that the Obama administration is at risk of making a weak economy worse by pursuing what he called "a tax, borrow and spend policy of historic proportions," which he said the administration's plan derails undermines "bipartisan legislation" he has worked to address climate change.

"At this time of economic hardship, it is beyond irresponsible to further raise costs of operation for our country's businesses," he said at an energy forum hosted by the Reform Institute in Washington today. "I still believe that it is the time to address this critical domestic and international issue. But my vision for a cap and trade system is mechanism to lower greenhouse gases in our hemisphere, not as a revenue generator for the federal government."

He said the administration plan would create "a federal slush fund to pay for health care reform or other social programs."

"We must design a program that balances the needs of our environment with the needs of our economy, carefully balancing incentives with informed restrictions," he said. "It will take a combination of auctioning and allocating carbon credits, giving enough credits away to accommodate the transition costs and allow businesses to stay open, and prevent drastic increases in utility rates for customers."

The cap and trade before Congress now is actually authored by Reps. Henry Waxman and Ed Markey, though the White House made their legislation more urgent when the EPA issued a new finding on Friday "that greenhouse gases contribute to air pollution that may endanger public health or welfare."

Taking a larger view of energy policy, McCain also argued as he did throughout the presidential campaign that America should include nuclear power in any long-term strategy.

"We need to start making decisions in Washington based on facts, not pure partisan politics," he said. "We need to make choices based on sound science, national security, and a clear vision of our economic future. That's why I continue to be baffled by the rhetoric coming out of this administration in relation to our nuclear power industry."

He said that "pursuing only a limited number of green technologies, while refusing to recognize the important role of nuclear power, clean coal and other forms of green energy will be to limit our own economic and environmental progress."

McCain's comments came as fellow Republicans urged the Democratic-run committee to hold off on hearings, arguing that legislation is not ready yet. In addition, it was reported that McCain will face a primary challenge in his bid for re-election next year in the person of Chris Simcox, former head of the Minuteman anti-illegal immigration group.

Posted by Mike Memoli at 03:05 PM | Email Author | Permalink

The DNC just announced its first-quarter fundraising numbers, reporting $11.9 million raised and $9.8 million cash on hand. The DNC took in another $5 million during the quarter from the Obama Victory Fund and Obama for America, and also reported more than $6.6 million in debts.

The RNC announced Friday that it had raised $25.3 million in the first quarter, including $7,351,000 transferred from the McCain-Palin campaign in January.

Here's a quick breakdown:

              Dems              GOP

Raised 3/09   $ 5,573,000       $ 6,700,000

Raised 1stQ   $11,857,000       $25,300,000

CoH           $ 9,766,000       $23,900,000

Posted by Mike Memoli at 03:22 PM | Email Author | Permalink

The Republican Governors Association argued today that the Tea Party demonstrations across the country yesterday signal a growing backlash against the excessive spending policies of the Obama administration so far.

"There's something going on out there in this period of economic angst," Gov. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.), the chairman of the RGA, told reporters on a conference call this morning. "If you look at the budget issues, the size of the government budget, the projected deficits over the next 10 years, you look at health care and the cost of going to a single-payer system ... there's some huge pocket book issues that I think are going to give Republican governors in the 2010 election cycle a real leg up."

Gov. Haley Barbour (R-Miss.), RGA vice chair, said the energy in the conservative grassroots is going to be a key factor not just in 2010, but in the gubernatorial contests in New Jersey and Virginia this year. Sanford also said there are real parallels between the environment this year and 1993, when he said Christie Todd Whitman and George Allen won races "after Clinton had overplayed his hand."

"It was sort of a bellwether of what was a gut reaction to what had happened administratively," he said.

The governors were asked if they thought Republicans should embrace the Tea Party movement.

"I think it's always in the best interest of Republicans, whether they're governors, whether they're in the House or the Senate, to talk about the themes that are important to the people they represent," Sanford said. "And what seems to be emerging is a growing consensus that says that the Obama administration is out of bounds with regard to the spending that it is proposing. ... I don't know if it's a question of embracing one individual or one group, but it's embracing themes that we all happen to agree upon."

Barbour put it more bluntly.

"If we're not the low-tax party, what are we?" he asked.

The RGA this morning also issued a statement, arguing that the debate over the Employee Free Choice Act will play out in the states as well as Congress. The statement is after the jump.

Continue reading "GOP Governors Reading The Tea Leaves" »

Posted by Mike Memoli at 02:24 PM | Email Author | Permalink

The National Republican Congressional Committee has launched a mulit-platform ad campaign in the districts of 43 House Democrats for going on what the committee calls a "reckless spending spree" in the 111th Congress. The TV ads, radio ads and robocalls begin this week, as Congress begins its second week of a two-week hiatus.

"Democrats have failed to be honest about their willingness to support a pork-filled stimulus package and a budget that taxes, spends and borrows in excess at the expense of their constituents," NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain said in announcing the ad campaign. "We will continue to hold these Democrats accountable for rubber-stamping Nancy Pelosi's agenda that will burden middle-class families and inflict further damage on an already fragile economy for years to come."

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 12:25 PM | Email Author | Permalink

The anti-tax Club for Growth announced today that former Rep. Chris Chocola (R-Ind.) is taking over as president, as Pat Toomey steps down from his post to "pursue other opportunities."

A Club for Growth press release described Chocola as "a staunch defender of the American taxpayer, fighting for the limited-government, free-market principles that are the foundation for economic growth in this country."

In 2006, Chocola was defeated for re-election to Congress by Joe Donnelly, whom Chocola had beaten in 2004. Chocola had a conservative voting record in the House, where he represented the northern-Indiana 2nd District for two terms.

Toomey is expected to challenge Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) for a second straight election. After coming up just short of knocking Specter out in the 2004 GOP primary, poor polling numbers for Specter indicate he is again vulnerable.

"I wish Pat the best of luck on his new path and am confident that he will be successful in whatever he does," Chocola said.

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 10:30 AM | Email Author | Permalink

Strong: having or marked by great physical power; having great resources.

Sound: solid; firm; stable.

That's how Merriam-Webster defines the two words that the White House says is the difference between what John McCain said on the campaign trail last year and what President Obama and his economic adviser Christina Romer said in the last few days when describing the fundamentals of the U.S. economy.

At the daily press briefing, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs noted a difference between the two. "Do I think there's a definitional difference between sound and strong? Absolutely," Gibbs said. "I think the fundamentals, as Ms. Romer said, are sound. That the President is taking steps each and every day to strengthen those fundamentals to ensure that the pillars that we need to turn our economy around to create the jobs the President talked about, to give the middle class finally a fair shake, and to put ourselves on a path toward sustained economic growth is exactly what the President is focused on each and every day."

However, the NRCC sees little difference and has issued a press release in 50 Democratic House districts questioning the potentially conflicting statements.

"Are the fundamentals of our economy strong or is the President of the United States just fundamentally wrong? That is the question Mary Jo Kilroy needs to answer," NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain is quoted saying in a press release to one of 50 House districts. "Does Kilroy stand by her Democrat colleagues who claimed that it was 'absurd' to say the fundamentals of the U.S. economy are sound or will she stand up to President Obama and tell him that he is sadly mistaken when it comes to the economic problems middle-class Americans are facing?"

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 04:00 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Proving that Sarah Palin remains a popular character in the Republican Party, the Alaska governor will keynote the annual fundraiser for the GOP's Senate and House campaign committees. The Senate-House dinner will be held June 8 at the Washington Convention Center.

NRSC Chairman John Cornyn and NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions, both from Texas, made the announcement today:

"Governor Palin has quickly emerged as one of the most popular and recognizable faces in the Republican Party, and we are honored to have her deliver the keynote address at the Senate-House dinner. As a proven leader in her home-state of Alaska, Governor Palin represents a breath of fresh air from the business-as-usual crowd in Washington, and is one of our Party's up-and-coming young governors who will play a critical role in our re-building efforts in the years to come. Last fall, she electrified and energized crowds across the country, and we expect she will generate a similar amount of enthusiasm at this spring's dinner," said Cornyn.

"On behalf of Congressional Republicans, it is a pleasure to announce one of the brightest rising stars in the Republican Party, Sarah Palin, will deliver the keynote address at this year's Senate-House dinner. Governor Palin's conservative values, commendable achievements in Alaska and the sheer energy she personifies make her one of the most compelling visionaries of our Party. With respect, admiration and enthusiasm, I look forward to welcoming her to Washington and await the inspirational address our Party needs, as it rebuilds and prepares for a victorious election cycle," said Sessions.

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 01:50 PM | Email Author | Permalink

NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas) released the following statement today thanking RNC Chairman Michael Steele for his contribution to the special election race in New York's vacant 20th District. Steele has come under fire lately for his performance as the newly-minted leader of the Republican National Committee.

Sessions:

"Each of us in House Republican leadership appreciate Chairman Steele's early contribution to our effort to fight our way back to the majority. But even more than this generous donation, we appreciate his total commitment to winning the special election in New York's 20th Congressional District. He is deeply committed to rebuilding the Party in blue states, and he's putting action behind his words. Not only has Chairman Steele personally been on the ground in New York twice, his staff is fully engaged and helping to make sure we have a superior grassroots turnout operation. Having worked with Michael before, I look forward to partnering with him again as we work to expand our party."

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 12:35 PM | Email Author | Permalink

The National Republican Congressional Committee is apparently not letting up its attacks against Democratic House members that voted for the economic stimulus bill President Obama signed into law yesterday. The GOP committee went on the air yesterday in Virginia with a TV ad hitting freshman Rep. Tom Perriello (D-Va.) for his vote, and claiming he misled his constituents in his explanation of the bill.

"It's hard to figure out what's more insulting: that Tom Perriello voted to spend over a trillion dollars of taxpayers' hard-earned money on wasteful spending, or that he went back to his district and stretched the truth about what Pelosi's pork-laden package really does," NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain said in a press release.

Perriello knocked off six-term Rep. Virgil Goode (R) -- a one-time Democrat who switched to the Republican Party in 2002 -- by less than 1,000 votes in November. The Charlottesville- and South Side-based 5th Congressional District gave George W. Bush double-digit margins in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections, however John McCain carried the district by just 2 points.

The NRCC ad tells voters to call Perriello's congressional office and "tell him to quit stretching the truth and wasting our money." Here is the ad:

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 12:30 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said this afternoon that he's confident the final stimulus bill will see more support from House Republicans than it did in the initial round of voting.

"They know the importance of this," said LaHood, a former Republican congressman and one of three Republicans in Obama's Cabinet. "They're concerned about the process, the way the bill was put together. But I've not heard one criticism from my friends on the Republican side that this piece of it - they all like it."

He was referring to funding for infrastructure projects, which he said both Democrats and Republicans see as guaranteed job-creators. The secretary was joined by several state directors of transportation who are very eager to see an influx of cash to help jumpstart various projects, many of which have been shelved in tough economic times.

"We are very anxious and very thankful for those kinds of dollars," said Allen Biehler, Pennsylvania's transportation secretary. He expects a billion dollars in federal funds, which he said represents a 75 percent increase in the department's yearly budget.

LaHood and the state officials said they were confident the funds would be spent wisely; a national association of state transportation officials will work with the White House to ensure transparency, they said.

As for the final vote, LaHood doesn't see himself lobbying his former colleagues.

"If I was selected by the president to help them get votes, my job will probably not last very long. I haven't been too successful so far," he said.

Posted by Mike Memoli at 04:19 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) will give the Republican address to the nation following President Obama's speech to a joint session of Congress on February 24. Republican congressional leaders Mitch McConnell and John Boehner announced the decision today.

"Gov. Jindal's leadership during a time of recovery in Louisiana, his commitment to real government reform, and his protection of hardworking American families make him an excellent choice to offer Republican solutions for the challenges which lay ahead," McConnell said in a press release.

Jindal is a former member of Congress who was elected governor in 2007. There was speculation that John McCain considered him as a running mate last year, and many believe Jindal could run for president in 2012.

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 12:35 PM | Email Author | Permalink

An interesting announcement from the White House: Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, a Republican who was considered a top candidate to be John McCain's running mate last year, will join President Obama for a town hall meeting in Fort Myers tomorrow. Crist remains very popular in the Sunshine State despite the poor economy, with a recent survey pegging his approval rating at 73 percent.

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, also a Republican, is not with the president today in Elkhart, and Republican Sen. Lugar declined in invitation to fly on Air Force One to the event. Crist is reportedly considering a bid for the U.S. Senate in 2010, though it's considered more likely he'll seek a second term instead (and perhaps keep his options open for 2012). Here's Crist's statement from the White House release:

Florida has taken prudent steps to cut taxes for our people and balance our budget in these increasingly difficult times. Any attempts at federal stimulus must prioritize job creation and targeted tax relief for small business owners. I am eager to welcome President Obama to the Sunshine State as he continues to work hard to reignite the US economy.

Posted by Mike Memoli at 01:25 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Sen. John McCain is urging his supporters to sign a petition opposing the economic stimulus bill, saying in an e-mail from his "Country First" PAC that the plan "is big on giveaways for the special interests and corporate high rollers, yet short on help for ordinary working Americans."

"I cannot and do not support the package on the table from the Democrats and the Obama Administration," McCain writes. "Our country does not need just another spending bill, particularly not one that will load future generations with the burden of massive debt."

He says that every spending proposal in the bill should be evaluated to determine whether it would actually create jobs. "If the answer is no, it does not belong in a so-called stimulus package." The Arizona Republican says he appreciates Obama's outreach to the GOP, but that "the time for talking has come to an end and we must now begin some serious negotiation."

You can see his online petition here. The full text of McCain's e-mail is after the jump.

Continue reading "McCain Rallies Online Backers Against Stimulus" »

Posted by Mike Memoli at 12:07 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Five Republicans are vying today to be the next chairman of the Republican Party. With Democrats in power in the White House and both chambers of Congress, the party's new leader will be tasked with getting the GOP back on track. Check out our story today on the state of the Republican Party and its path forward.

We're at the RNC Winter Meeting in downtown Washington, and will provide live updates from what will most likely be a multi-ballot election:

4:08: "As a little boy growing up in this town, this is awesome," Steele said. "It's time for something completely different, and we're going to bring it to them."

4:03: Steele wins with 91 votes, becoming the new leader of the GOP.

3:44: The 6th ballots are now being distributed, but it appears as though the race is already over. Look for Steele to come out on top. He needs just six more votes (85 out of 168) to win, and it's likely Anuzis will give him well more than that.

3:30: Anuzis withdraws. "We've got two great people still running." And then there were two...

3:28: 5th ballot tally: Steele, 79; Dawson, 69; Anuzis, 20.

3:04: Blackwell withdraws, endorses Steele. "We're back on path to become the majority party again." The 5th ballots are now being distributed, with just three candidates remaining.

2:42: Dawson takes the lead. 4th ballot tally: Dawson, 62; Steele, 60; Anuzis, 31; Blackwell, 15.

2:24: Overheard: As ballots are being dropped in the box at the front of the room, in the back of the room one Duncan staffer says to a Steele staffer: "I know which way we're sending our people. We'll see if they listen."

2:20: Following Duncan's exit speech, one member asked for a second 15-minute recess before the fourth ballot. However, the restless voting members rejected the idea, as well as a follow-up five minute option. Ballots are now being distributed.

2:14: Duncan withdraws. "Obviously the winds of change are blowing at the RNC," Duncan said, as he withdrew his candidacy. He received a standing ovation.

1:42: The end for Duncan? Surging Dawson? One thing's for sure, there will almost certainly be five ballots.

1:38: 3rd ballot tally: Steele, 51; Duncan, 44; Dawson, 34; Anuzis, 24; Blackwell, 15.

12:56: 2nd ballot tally: Duncan, 48; Steele, 48; Dawson, 29; Anuzis, 24; Blackwell, 19.

12:30: Second ballots are now being passed out, as are boxed lunches. What takes the longest in the voting process is that all 168 members, called on by state, must walk up to the front of the room -- graduation style -- and drop their ballot in the box.

12:12: One RNC staffer to me: "If I'm Duncan, I would've held back some of my supporters on the first ballot, then had them switch their vote to me over the next few ballots to build momentum." Perhaps that's what he's doing?

12:08: First ballot tally: Duncan, 52 ; Steele, 46 ; Dawson, 28 ; Anuzis, 22; Blackwell, 20. 85 are needed to win.

12:02: Overheard: Steele supporters are organizing a mass cheer when Steele's vote total is announced. "Whether its 40 votes or 3 votes," one Steele aide said. Votes are currently being tabulated and candidates are schmoozing.

11:24: Candidates spotted by this reporter so far: Steele, sitting off to the side with legs crossed and chewing gum; Saul Anuzis, standing with arms crossed; Katon Dawson, sitting and typing on his BlackBerry. As state party chairs, Dawson and Anuzis will vote.

11:18: The first ballots are now being passed out to the 168 voting RNC members, as time expired for endorsement statements. Michael Steele's endorsers spoke last.

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 03:30 PM | Email Author | Permalink

It's turning out to be quite a week for the future of the GOP. The party's Congressional delegation is feeling good after a unanimous "no" vote on President Obama's stimulus package. Votes are still being cast in the RNC chairman race. Gov. Sarah Palin is coming to town for the Alfalfa Club Dinner. And not to be overlooked, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney spoke this morning at the GOP Conference Retreat about 200 miles west of here in Hot Springs, Va.

According to remarks prepared for delivery, the former and likely future presidential candidate was to say that he was optimistic about the future of the party: "Our ideas are good, our agenda will make America stronger, and your action this week showed that we have the kind of leaders who will stand up for what they believe in." As for how the party recovers, Romney said: "My first concern isn't about our party--it's about our country."

He said he believes that stimulus is needed, but criticized the current legislation for the "huge increase in the amount of government borrowing." "We're on an economic tightrope. That's why it is so important to exercise extreme care and good judgment," he was to say. True stimulus would boost the economy, not government, he adds.

As for Obama, Romney said he wants him "to adopt correct principles and then to succeed." But he also dug at the new president, saying he "can't vote 'present.' He can't let others run the show. He has to say yes to some things and no to a lot of others."

You can read the full prepared draft here.

Posted by Mike Memoli at 03:26 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke this afternoon at the Republican National Committee winter meeting, taking place this week in downtown Washington.

"The Republican Party seems to be slipping into a position of being more of a regional party than a national one," McConnell said. "In politics, there's a name for a regional party: it's called a minority party."

Much of McConnell's speech -- and the business of the day -- dealt with the state of the party and its path moving forward. The answer will be partially revealed here tomorrow, when the 168 RNC members will vote for a chairman to lead them.

-- Kyle Trygstad

Posted by Mike Memoli at 03:40 PM | Email Author | Permalink

House Republican Steering Committee members today voted Rep. Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) into the ranking member slot on the Natural Resources Committee for the 111th Congress. The incumbent ranking member, Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), was ousted yesterday as ethics questions surround him.

The ranking members for the other committees were chosen yesterday:

Standing Committee.....Ranking Member
Agriculture.....Frank Lucas (OK)
Appropriations.....Jerry Lewis (CA)
Armed Services.....John McHugh (NY)
Budget.....Paul Ryan (WI)
Education & Labor.....Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (CA)
Energy & Commerce.....Joe Barton (TX)
Financial Services.....Spencer Bachus (AL)
Foreign Affairs.....Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL)
Homeland Security.....Peter T. King (NY)
Select Committee on Intelligence.....Pete Hoekstra (MI)
Judiciary.....Lamar S. Smith (TX)
Oversight & Government Reform.....Darrel Issa (CA)
Rules.....David Dreier (CA)
Science & Technology.....Ralph M. Hall (TX)
Small Business.....Sam Graves (MO)
Transportation & Infrastructure.....John L. Mica (FL)
Veterans' Affairs.....Steve Buyer (IN)
Ways & Means.....Dave Camp (MI)

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 03:30 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Senate Republicans put the rubber stamp on Texas Senator John Cornyn's bid to head the National Republican Senatorial Committee this cycle, rounding out the party's uncontested leadership elections for the 111th Congress.

Republicans kept Mitch McConnell, Jon Kyl and Lamar Alexander in their positions as top party leaders, while John Ensign moved from the NRSC to serve as Policy Committee chair. South Dakota Senator John Thune moves to fifth on the leadership ladder as vice chairman.

Cornyn was expected to face Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman, but Coleman dropped his expected bid as he continues to face a statewide recount in his race for re-election. Cornyn will lead the NRSC in recruiting and assisting campaigns in at least 35 states in which voters will cast Senate ballots.

The Texan, who has been angling for the job most of the year, tapped top aide Rob Jesmer to serve as executive director of the Republican campaign arm. Jesmer has been a regional political director for the RNC, the National Field Director for the NRCC and as Cornyn's campaign manager.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 12:55 PM | Email Author | Permalink

The Republican National Committee waited scarcely a week after the presidential contest ended to lauch a lawsuit striking at the heart of one of their former nominee's signature achievements. The committee filed two lawsuits today challenging aspects of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, more commonly known as McCain-Feingold after its two lead sponsors.

The committee is challenging the constitutionality of the Act's prohibition against unlimited corporate donations, known as "soft money," and the ban on close coordination with candidates in separate suits filed in Washington and Louisiana district courts.

The Act "is an infringement on my constitutional right, I think, both on freedom of association and free speech," RNC chairman Mike Duncan said on a conference call earlier today. Duncan said the elimination of soft money contributions cost the RNC about 40% of its resources, money the committee frequently passed to states to assist with electing candidates to statewide and state legislative offices.

That money would be especially important when it comes to redistricting after the 2010 elections. Most states give legislatures at least some power to draw new legislative and congressional district lines. The RNC has historically used soft money to influence legislative races, but BCRA prohibits that use. "We will be at a severe disadvantage if the Republican National Committee is not allowed to do what we have done in past elections," Duncan said. "The money that we have is not sufficient to help us [assist GOP redistricting efforts] the way we have in the past."

After the 2008 elections, Democrats hold majorities in at least 60 of the nation's 98 partisan legislative chambers (Nebraska has a unicameral, non-partisan legislature). Several others are tied, putting Republicans at a distinct disadvantage when redistricting comes around in two years. Perhaps most significantly, Democrats won a majority in the New York Senate, meaning the party will have complete control to draw new districts when the Empire State loses two seats following the 2010 Census, assuming they keep the governor's mansion.

The RNC is also challenging the $84,000 limit for coordinated expenditures the party is allowed to make in conjunction with candidates. Currently, any expenditure above that limit must come out of the party's independent expenditure wing, which must be separate from the main body of the organization and cannot coordinate messages or themes. "These [independent expenditure] units are very difficult to work with. You give them the money and you're not sure what the message is going to be," Duncan said.

During his presidential run, John McCain tried to make an issue of his adherence to the $84 million spending limit in the general election and Barack Obama's decision to forgo public financing. Many have pointed to the amount of money Obama raised and spent as heralding the end of the public financing system, which is also regulated in part under BCRA. With the RNC so publicly repudiating McCain's stands and positions he took during the campaign, renewed questions about McCain's relationship with the party are bound to crop up.

The Democratic National Committee, which is likely to oppose the lawsuits, has yet to issue a statement. Phone calls and emails to McCain's Senate office went unreturned.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 03:05 PM | Email Author | Permalink

After months of speculation surrounding his intentions, Michigan GOP chair Saul Anuzis has become the first big-name candidate to jump into the RNC chair's race, according to MSNBC's First Read.

"The comeback starts now!" screams a website, AnuzisForChair.com, that trumpets his candidacy. Anuzis "is running for Chairman of the Republican National Committee to bring back the party of ideas, bring it to every neighborhood in America and harness every tool of the digital age to lead an historic comeback for the GOP in 2010 and beyond."

Anuzis had been coy about his intentions in multiple conversations with Politics Nation, but most RNC watchers expected the Michigander to make a race. His formal decision comes just in time for him to take advantage of a gathering of RNC members in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina this weekend.

The meeting is hosted by Katon Dawson, the Palmetto State GOP chief who is also widely expected to make a run for chair. Dawson is expected to make his own announcement next week. Having so many RNC members in the same place will provide a target-rich environment for anyone thinking of making a run.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 03:15 PM | Email Author | Permalink

The buzz around a potential Fred Thompson candidacy for Republican National Committee chair is growing, thanks to The Tennessean's Jennifer Brooks, who speculates today on Thompson's thirst for the position.

Meanwhile, a source close to former Michigan national committeeman Chuck Yob tells Politics Nation that Yob is floating the possibility of Thompson serving as general chair and as the public face of the party while Yob manages the day-to-day operations of the committee. Both candidates would gain advantages, Yob by attracting some star power and Thompson by associating with someone well-known among RNC members.

One side game RNC members and observers are watching is which potential 2012 presidential candidate the RNC chair hopefuls are most closely aligned with. But politics makes strange bedfellows: Take Chip Saltsman, Mike Huckabee's former campaign manager. He's hired Stephen Smith, Mitt Romney's former online communications guru, to help him out.

A Romney guy working to elect a Huckabee guy? It gets more complicated: Saltsman and Smith both worked with former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, who is also seen as a potential White House candidate at some point down the line.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 12:30 PM | Email Author | Permalink

The race for RNC chair is starting to feel like the run-up to the Iowa caucuses. Some notes on the latest developments:

-- The Washington Times' Ralph Z. Hallow, plugged in to the RNC as he is, floats Newt Gingrich as holding a passive interest in the gig while ex-Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele, now chair of GOPAC, sports a much more active interest.

-- Steele has some sort of organization backing him already, as a DC-based communications firm passes along the new DraftMichaelSteele.com website. The site looks grass-roots, and the folks at Marsh Copsey & Associates, the Republican consulting firm who shot it around to reporters, say they're not behind it. Steele is making calls to RNC members to gauge support but he hasn't made a final decision yet, says one friend of the GOPAC chairman.

-- One source who follows the race closely tells Politics Nation that Gingrich may not want to actually run for the position, but that if it is offered, he'd take it. Hallow reports Gingrich is letting others make the calls for him. Gingrich, yet again, declined a request for an interview with RCP.

-- Michigan Republican Party chairman Saul Anuzis has started making phone calls to gauge support, Hallow writes and multiple sources confirm to Politics Nation. Anuzis has been coy about his hopes for the chairmanship, but observers have said all along not to count him out.

-- South Carolina party chair Katon Dawson's big gathering in Myrtle Beach this weekend will be the lowest-profile of three prominent GOP get-togethers -- the other two being the Republican Governors Association meeting in Miami that kicks off tomorrow and House leadership elections slated for next week. But it'll be a coming-out party for Dawson and other RNC insiders who want to run for chair (Remember, there are only 168 votes that matter, and neither Gingrich nor Steele has one). Anuzis, Florida GOP chair Jim Greer and others will be there.

-- Mike Huckabee is injecting himself into the race, making phone calls on behalf of ex-manager Chip Saltsman, who told Politics Nation a few weeks back that he's taking a hard look at the contest.

-- And while some Republicans complain they're falling far behind Democrats on the technological front, at least they know something about Facebook. Gingrich, Steele, Huckabee, Saltsman, Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson, ex-Rep. Jim Nussle, Sarah Palin and John Sununu each have Facebook groups dedicated to their candidacies, real or imagined.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 01:00 PM | Email Author | Permalink

A former top Republican National Committee official is the latest to throw his hat in the ring for his party's top job. Chuck Yob, a Grand Rapids businessman who served as Michigan's national committeeman for nearly two decades, has begun making phone calls to gauge support for the position, multiple GOP sources tell Politics Nation.

A call to Yob's home was not immediately returned.

Yob was first elected to the RNC in 1989 and served as state chair or co-chair for most recent Republican presidential nominees in Michigan, including President Bush and John McCain. On the RNC, Yob served as vice chairman for the Midwest. He decided not to run for national committeeman again last year as he faced a spirited challenge from 2006 Senate candidate Keith Butler, who now represents the state to the national body.

A close ally of McCain's -- son John Yob served as one of the Arizona senator's deputy political directors -- Yob was widely rumored as one of the front-runners for the RNC job if McCain had won the White House. Now, though, Yob will run against what could be a crowded field that may include as many as five state party chairmen and a host of outside candidates, rumored to include GOPAC chairman Michael Steele, former Mike Huckabee campaign manager Chip Saltsman and others.

Along with the crowded field, Yob faces the prospect of having to start his campaign without the full support of his home-state delegation, either. Michigan GOP chairman Saul Anuzis is considered a top contender for the RNC post, though Anuzis has tamped down speculation that he will seek the post. Still, RNC watchers are not counting Anuzis out as a candidate.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 06:00 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Republican Study Committee chairman Jeb Hensarling has dropped out of the race to chair the House Republican Conference and has thrown his support behind Indiana Rep. Mike Pence, a fellow member of the conservative RSC who once chaired the body.

"Mike Pence was always my first choice for this position," Hensarling said, according to a released statement. "I asked him to run several times, and pending his final decision I was prepared to run for Conference Chair should he have chosen not to. If we are to begin the process of rebuilding a bigger, better, and stronger Republican Conference, we must make decisions based upon the good of the team rather than ourselves."

Hensarling managed Pence's long-shot run for minority leader following the 2006 mid-term elections. Minority Leader John Boehner, who defeated Pence by a wide margin to keep his leadership slot two years ago, has also announced his support for the Indiana Republican. The Conference chairmanship became vacant when Florida Rep. Adam Putnam announced he would be stepping down.

"I've encouraged Mike to run for the job of Conference Chairman because there is no one in our ranks who does a better job of articulating the GOP message of freedom and smaller government, and he's also proven himself to be a team player with the ability to bring our members together," Boehner said.

--Kyle Trygstad

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 03:50 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Just a day after Republicans suffered major losses for a second day in a row, South Carolina GOP chair Katon Dawson is making his most overt moves toward a campaign for the top slot at the national committee. Dawson yesterday mailed an eight-page survey to all 168 members of the Republican National Committee in which he asks for feedback about how the committee can better operate.

The survey covers everything from the effectiveness of the national committee's vaunted 72-hour program to the new and emerging technologies the party might use. Under Dawson's slogan, "Renew, Reform, Restore," RNC members are also asked to rate the relationship between the national party and its staff and state parties.

"Let's be honest and say it together: last night was a rough night for Republicans. Democrats now have the White House and a commanding majority in the House and the Senate," Dawson wrote in a letter to fellow RNC members.

"After every election, it is important that we learn from the results and make necessary changes. And sometimes that requires that we look in the mirror and ask some tough questions," Dawson's letter reads. "[M]ay I humbly propose that to find the answers, we should not look toward Washington pundits and poll-driven analyses, but rather, we need to hear from activists like you who were on the ground and saw what happened."

Fed-Exed to national committee members, Dawson writes the survey's results will be shared with attendees at his "Reform Renew Restore Conference," which will be held in Myrtle Beach next weekend. An invite to the conference was also included in the packet.

Dawson is considered one of the front-runners for the RNC chair position, along with several other state party chairs and assorted Republican activists, including current chairman Mike Duncan, who is seeking another term.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 02:30 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Just hours after the party suffered unprecedented back-to-back losses in the House, two Republicans launched challenges to incumbent party leaders, intent, they say, on turning around a flailing party.

Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor began making phone calls today seeking to line up support for minority whip, the post currently held by Missouri Rep. Roy Blunt. Cantor, who serves as chief deputy whip, quickly secured several public endorsements and is seen by some conference watchers as the future face of the House GOP.

Blunt has yet to announce whether he will run for re-election as his party's number two in the House, and his spokesperson could not immediately be reached.

After the GOP lost more than twenty seats, Texas Rep. Pete Sessions has told colleagues he will run to chair the National Republican Congressional Committee for the 2010 cycle. Sessions lost a three-way battle to head the committee this year to Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole.

Many had assumed Sessions would skate to election two years after Cole took over what ended up to be a disastrous cycle. But in a surprising move, Cole has told colleagues he will seek re-election to head the committee, as reported by Politico and confirmed by Real Clear Politics.

Cole, whose resume includes tenures as a top staffer at both the NRCC and RNC as well as a career as a successful political consultant, nonetheless has come under intense criticism for poor candidate recruitment and lackluster fundraising.

Cole may point out his party only lost 22 seats this year, arguing that the number could have been much worse given the unprecedented amount by which Democrats outspent Republicans in key races. Whether colleagues will buy his argument that he beat expectations remains to be seen. Top Republican watchers say Sessions is the early favorite. "I can't come up with a scenario where Cole could get re-elected," one well-connected Republican tells RCP.

The two competitive races come as another race for conference chairman is beginning. Late on Election Night, Florida Rep. Adam Putnam announced he would not seek another term as chair, and early speculation is centering on Texas Rep. Jeb Hensarling as an early front-runner for the post.

So far, Minority Leader John Boehner appears as the only top Republican leader without a challenger. Boehner sent a letter to House Republicans this morning outlining his plans for the future and asking for their continued support for another term. Though other Republicans are anxious for a shot at the top slot, strategists agree a serious candidate to challenge Boehner is unlikely to emerge.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 03:45 PM | Email Author | Permalink

The National Republican Congressional Committee has plopped down the first two rounds of reservations for television time in advance of November's general election, and though they trail their Democratic counterparts, Republicans are remaining optimistic the money will roll in.

Republicans have reserved a total of $17.8 million in television time targeting 26 districts, far short of the more than 50 Democrats are targeting with upwards of $50 million. Too, the list of targeted districts looks remarkably similar to Democrats' list, meaning the party is likely to be outspent in most places where they advertise.

Democratic claims that the majority of districts in play remain in GOP districts ring true, given some of the names on the list, including entrenched incumbents like Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart, both of Florida, Joe Knollenberg of Michigan, Steve Chabot of Ohio and, perhaps most surprisingly, Phil English in Pennsylvania.

In all, fourteen of the 26 districts feature Republican incumbents, while seven targets are open seat races being vacated by Republicans. Just five Democrats are targets of Republican ad dollars, though they are the five most promising names on the GOP headhunting list.

Republicans have their eyes on Florida Rep. Tim Mahoney, Kansas Rep. Nancy Boyda, Don Cazayoux of Louisiana, Nick Lampson of Texas and Wisconsin Rep. Steve Kagen. All except Lampson were first elected in 2006, though Lampson returned to Congress that year after losing a previous bid for re-election.

Remember, television reservations are no indication that Republicans will actually spend the money on advertising, and they can cancel those reservations any time (The DCCC canceled millions of dollars slated to defend Boyda this year after the Kansas Democrat publicly asked the party to stay out of her race). But the early Republican moves are an ambitious statement that their party won't be outspent too dramatically, if they can help it.

A full list of targeted districts, the amount of time Republicans have reserved and the number of points that means is after the jump. Two thousand points is considered saturation level for a week, meaning the average television viewer would see an ad twenty times in a week-long period.

Continue reading "GOPers Reserve Ad Time" »

Posted by Reid Wilson at 02:15 PM | Email Author | Permalink

The Republican National Convention issued a press release announcing the speakers and themes for the September 1-4 event in St. Paul. Jonathan Martin notes three VP prospects not on this list. Another one we noticed...South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham.

Monday, Sept. 1
Service
"Love of country, my friends, is another way of saying love of your fellow countryman." --Sen. John McCain

John McCain's commitment to his fellow Americans, a commitment forged in service to his country, is one of the defining hallmarks of his life. Monday's events will highlight John McCain's record of service and sacrifice and reflect his commitment to serving a cause greater than one's own self-interest.

Speakers will include:
-U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Conn.)
-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (Calif.)
-Vice President Richard B. Cheney
-First Lady Laura Bush
-President George W. Bush

Tuesday, Sept. 2
Reform
"If you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you are disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and correct them."
--Sen. John McCain

John McCain's life is a testament to the fundamental truth that every American can be a force for change. A restless reformer who has dedicated his career to taking on special interests and the status quo, John McCain will deliver the right kind of change and reform to meet the great challenges of our time. On Tuesday, the convention program will underscore his vision of a government that is transparent, principled and worthy of the American people it serves.
Speakers will include:

-Former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani
-Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (Ark.)
-Former Gov. Tom Ridge (Pa.)
-Gov. Sarah Palin (Alaska)
-Gov. Jon Huntsman (Utah)
-Rosario Marin, California Secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency and former Treasurer of the United States
-Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson (Tenn.)
-Gov. Linda Lingle (Hawaii)
-Former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (Md.)

Wednesday, Sept. 3
Prosperity
"America's best days are still to come."
--Sen. John McCain

The American story is one of perseverance. Even in the face of tough times, the ingenuity and spirit of the American people has ushered in a new era of prosperity. Wednesday's program will focus on John McCain's plans to get our economy back on track and continue our long tradition of meeting the challenges we face and using our prosperity to help others. The day will conclude with an address by the vice presidential nominee.

Speakers will include:
-U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (Minn.)
-Meg Whitman, National Co-Chair for McCain 2008 and former President and CEO of eBay
-Carly Fiorina, Victory '08 Chairman for the Republican National Committee and former Chairman and CEO of Hewlett-Packard Co.
-Former Gov. Mitt Romney (Mass.)
-Mrs. Cindy McCain
-Gov. Bobby Jindal (La.)
-Republican Party's Vice Presidential Nominee

Thursday, Sept. 4
Peace
"Our next president will have a mandate to build an enduring global peace on the foundations of freedom, security, opportunity, prosperity, and hope."
--Sen. John McCain

John McCain understands the challenges that America faces in the world and the sacrifice necessary to defend our freedom in a way that few others can fathom. Thursday's events will reflect his vision of an America in pursuit of peace and seen as a beacon of goodwill and hope throughout the world. The evening will close with John McCain accepting the Republican Party's nomination for the Presidency of the United States.

Speakers will include:
-Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Minn.)
-Gov. Charlie Crist (Fla.)
-U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback (Kan.)
-U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez (Fla.)
-John McCain

In the coming days, the 2008 Republican National Convention will announce additional speakers and program details.

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 01:45 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Once a power player on the national Republican scene, the mighty Ralph Reed, formerly of the Christian Coalition, has seen his stature plummet. Reed, who lost a primary for Lieutenant Governor in 2006, is even seeing his name displayed in a new context by the Associated Press.

"Figure in Abramoff scandal raises money for McCain," the AP's Charles Babington heads today.

Emails between Reed and disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff shed light on some of Abramoff's shady dealings with several organizations.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 04:30 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Sensing an increasingly favorable political issue, House Minority Leader John Boehner and ten Republican freshmen will travel to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge late next week to highlight the need for new energy exploration. The trip follows a group of five Republican challengers who will visit the Arctic Circle earlier in the week to highlight their own support for drilling in the region.

Boehner's group will stop first at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, before heading to Alaska, as part of what Republicans are calling their "all of the above" energy plan aimed at reducing gas prices.

Republicans have found new political life in what had been a losing political issue as gas prices continue to climb past the $4 a gallon mark. Democrats have long hammered the GOP for voting in favor of big oil companies, but recent polls show concern over gas prices and support for new energy exploration growing among voters. "Policies not widely embraced when gasoline was $2 per gallon -- such as oil exploration on a tiny patch of Alaska's vast North Slope -- now enjoy the American people's overwhelming support in the face of $4 per gallon gas," Boehner said in a statement announcing the trip.

He will be joined by Reps. Michele Bachmann, of Minnesota, Gus Bilirakis, of Florida, Mary Fallin, of Oklahoma, Dean Heller, of Nevada, Ohio's Jim Jordan and Bob Latta, Colorado's Doug Lamborn, California's Kevin McCarthy, Nebraska's Adrian Smith and newly-elected Steve Scalise, of Louisiana. Of the ten freshmen, only Bachmann is expected to face a close race, though national Democrats are excited about Heller's opponent. Lamborn faces what could be a difficult primary fight.

Still, at a time when Republicans are struggling to find a winning political issue, gas prices and new exploration could be key to salvaging at least a few seats in Congress. Democrats have used the energy crisis effectively so far, but if Republicans can find a toehold, spending a weekend in Alaska might be the first step towards claiming newly favorable terrain.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 10:00 AM | Email Author | Permalink

For any other politician, a stop in New Hampshire might be construed as evidence of a lack of faith in their party's nominee and his chance of winning this November. But for Mitt Romney, showing up at a Fourth of July parade in the Granite State could be as simple as stepping outside his vacation home near Lake Winnipesaukee.

Romney slapped on stickers bearing the names of local Republican candidates, including Senator John Sununu and former Rep. Jeb Bradley, as he led his campaign bus -- complete with John McCain signs -- through Wolfeboro city streets on Friday, the Concord Monitor reported. But instead of wondering whether the former Massachusetts governor would be a candidate again, spectators said Romney might make a good vice presidential nominee.

One of the few veep hopefuls who headed to McCain's Sedona, Arizona ranch a month ago, Romney has gone out of his way to demonstrate his usefulness to the ticket, including holding major fundraisers for McCain in Utah, Michigan and Boston. Romney, predictably, shot down questions about whether he would be interested in the gig: "No speculation on that front," he told the paper.

Romney isn't the only former candidate to return to New Hampshire this year. Mike Huckabee was back a few weeks ago to stump for a former supporter, state Senator Bob Clegg, who is running against freshman Democrat Paul Hodes in the Second District (Bradley is seeking a return to his old seat in the First District). Both House candidates face contentious primaries, and Bradley is seen as one of Republicans' best chances to take back a seat.

Still, keep an eye on once-and-future candidates throughout the rest of the year. If McCain loses in November, those surrogates who head to Iowa and New Hampshire after their bids end will be the first ones on the phone seeking to consolidate their base for a 2012 run. Doing so now, though, is dangerous, especially if someone harbors vice presidential ambitions. Don't read too much into Romney's trip, though. Romney's vacation home is near the Wolfeboro parade route.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 12:00 PM | Email Author | Permalink

House Minority Leader John Boehner is spending his holiday recess on the West Coast, stumping for two safe incumbents and one top Democratic target, as well as for an open seat candidate in a heavily Republican area.

Boehner made stops in Washington State earlier this week, holding fundraisers for Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Doc Hastings and Dave Reichert, and he will hold an event later in the week for Duncan Hunter Jr., son of the retiring congressman who is running to succeed his father.

McMorris Rodgers and Hastings, who represent districts east of the Cascade Mountains, are seen as safe incumbents. Democrats have not held either seat since 1994, and even with solid recruits in McMorris' Fifth District, Democrats still lost by twelve points in 2006 (Hastings won re-election that year by twenty points).

Reichert, though, is in trouble. His suburban Eighth District, just east of Seattle, has increasingly voted Democratic for Senate and President, but Reichert has managed to cling to the seat since 2004, when he won by just five points. In 2006, Reichert beat former Microsoft employee Darcy Burner by just two points, and this year he will face Burner again.

Those close to Reichert's campaign brag that he made more voter contacts in 2006 than any other campaign in the country, but in a presidential year he will have to do so again just to hold off Burner.

Boehner, Cole and Democratic Rep. Rahm Emanuel are all on the trail this week (For Cole's and Emanuel's itineraries through the Midwest, click here) while others are taking the Fourth of July recess as their last break before November.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 11:30 AM | Email Author | Permalink

Following yesterday's Supreme Court ruling, in which the individual right to bear arms was explicitly upheld in the first ruling on the Second Amendment in 69 years and in a more broad manner than ever before, national Republicans are seeking to make guns an issue again, after finding success against Democrats the last time gun control came up, in 1994.

The National Republican Congressional Committee has far fewer targets to work with this time, though, given both parties' hesitancy to touch what has become yet another third rail in politics. Still, there are some Democrats who Republicans hope can be made vulnerable on the issue.

Pennsylvania Rep. Patrick "Murphy's opposition to the Second Amendment puts himself at odds with not only members of his own party, but the overwhelming majority his Pennsylvania constituents," NRCC spokesman Ken Spain said of the freshman Congressman, pointing out that Murphy and others had not signed an amicus brief backing repeal of the gun ban. The brief, spearheaded by Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison, of Texas, and Montana's Jon Tester, a Democrat, garnered signatures from dozens of members from both parties.

Other Democrats who did not sign the brief and were singled out by Republicans include Kansas Rep. Dennis Moore, Iowa Reps. Dave Loebsack and Bruce Braley, Colorado Rep. Ed Perlmutter and New Hampshire Rep. Carol Shea-Porter.

But the low number of targets speaks to a larger issue: Thanks to just one piece of gun legislation passing in the last dozen years, a measure passed in response to shootings at Virginia Tech and backed by the National Rifle Association, guns are simply not as potent an issue as they once were, as this author argues at Politicker.com. Without a call to arms (pardon the pun), gun rights advocates have nothing to fight against at the moment.

Perhaps, though, the issue could have a rebirth, thanks to controversial comments Barack Obama made at a private fundraiser in San Francisco several weeks ago. An NRA lobbyist mentioned Obama's comments that some rural voters are "bitter" and cling to their guns and religion. That quote, which Obama has had to explain for months on end, does not seem to be going away.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 11:00 AM | Email Author | Permalink

Reports filed with the Federal Election Commission late Friday show Republicans picking up serious ground on the financial front, but only thanks to Mike Duncan's efforts at the Republican National Committee. As GOP campaign committees in both the House and the Senate continue to lag far behind their Democratic counterparts, RNC fundraising, thanks perhaps to a nomination battle that wrapped up far earlier than the Democrats' did, continues to outpace the Democratic National Committee by leaps and bounds.

The RNC raised $24.3 million in May, FEC reports show, while spending $11.5 million. The DNC raised just $4.8 million and spent $5.2 million. After John McCain clinched the GOP nomination, the party began raising funds through the Victory program, a joint fundraising effort with their presidential nominee. Republicans ended the month with a whopping $53.5 million in the bank, compared with just $3.9 million on hand for the DNC.

Barack Obama's clinching the nomination in early June should boost Democrats' fundraising numbers this month, though the South Capitol Street gang has a long way to go to catch up to their rivals at the Capitol Hill Club.

House Democrats continued to put distance between themselves and the National Republican Congressional Committee in May, raising $6.1 million and spending $4.2 million to end the month with $47.1 million in the bank. Republicans raised $5 million and spent $5.1 million, to finish with $6.65 million on hand. Much of both parties' spending went to early May special elections in Louisiana and Mississippi, both Republican seats which Democrats won.

Perhaps most telling, Democratic members of Congress are investing in their own conference. Last month, members gave $1.9 million to their own cause, building the party's cash-on-hand edge to a more than seven-to-one ratio. Republican members of an NRCC oversight committee, meanwhile, have complained about a lack of contributions from their own members, many of whom have apparently decided to stockpile their own cash in the event they, too, have more competitive races than expected.

On the Senate side, Democrats outraised Republicans as well, though Republicans earned enough to close their own yawning disparity. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee raised $5.9 million and spent $4.9 million, to end the month with $38.5 million on hand. Much of the money went to building field organizations in key battleground states, a process which began last month. The National Republican Senatorial Committee raised $4.9 million and spent $2.7 million, bringing their total in the bank to $21.5 million.

Both Senate committees have something to brag about this month. Republicans point out that they are in better position than they were in 2006, with nearly $3 million more in the bank and having raised more than they did two years ago last month. Democrats, though, have also raised more, and their cash on hand advantage is up slightly from two years ago.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 10:00 AM | Email Author | Permalink

President Bush may have an approval rating that dips perilously below 30%, but at least Washington Republicans can still find some use for him. The National Republican Senatorial Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee are holding a major fundraiser this evening that is expected to bring in $19 million to the two beleaguered campaign arms.

Chaired by Texas Rep. Jeb Hensarling and Utah Senator Orrin Hatch, the dinner is expected to exceed its fundraising goals of $7 million for the NRCC and $12 million for the Senate, sources on both sides of the Hill said. Still, that doesn't mean all the money will come in tonight; a similar event featuring President Bush in March was said to have raised $8.6 million, though that money was spread between multiple FEC reports. Records show the party raised $7.1 million through March.

Democrats, who have outpaced their Republican rivals in fundraising success in both chambers, are also planning a new fundraising push for individual downballot candidates, Politico reports this morning, though the effort is not being run through either committee. Instead, a group of Hollywood women are planning a major fundraiser for September 27 that would directly benefit half a dozen key Senate candidates to the tune of at least $100,000 each.

Leaders of the group of organizers have signed agreements with Reps. Tom Allen, Tom Udall and Mark Udall, running for Senate seats in Maine, New Mexico and Colorado, respectively; Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, challenging Alaska Senator Ted Stevens; ex-Governor Jeanne Shaheen, running again in New Hampshire; and comedian Al Franken, in Minnesota.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 11:00 AM | Email Author | Permalink

Attorneys and accountants retained by the National Republican Congressional Committee have finished an audit aimed at identifying the extent and breadth of alleged fraud perpetrated on the committee by its former treasurer, identifying at least $750,000 in misappropriated money they say was stolen over seven years.

The former treasurer, Chris Ward, is under investigation by the FBI for allegedly wiring the money from NRCC and affiliated accounts to his personal account and to those of businesses he controlled. The unauthorized wire transfers, which began in 2001, continued until October of 2007, when Ward served as a consultant to the committee. He was fired when he failed to present an audit in late January.

Rob Kelner, the attorney who conducted the forensic investigation into the committee's finances, said Ward moved at least $725,000 in money that should have gone to the NRCC into his own accounts. Some of the money came from the NRCC's accounts, routed through an account set up for major fundraising dinners and into Ward's accounts. Other money was transfered from the NRCC through other committees Ward controlled, likely including candidates and incumbent members of Congress who were unaware of the transactions. And more was diverted directly from the dinner committees before ever getting to the NRCC's accounts.

Some of that third pool of money, Kelner said, had been destined for the National Senatorial Republican Committee; he estimated Ward stole an additional $28,000 from Senate Republicans. Kelner would not break down how much money came from which accounts, saying doing so could jeopardize the ongoing federal investigation.

Ward was able to divert the money because he was allowed to authorize wire transfers without another signature, Kelner said, suggesting that he acted alone. "We don't believe anybody other than Chris Ward, you know, conspired with him," Kelner said.

The forensic investigation lays the groundwork for a future audit, which is still to come. The audit will be necessary if the committee seeks a line of credit, which is common in advance of November's elections. The committee has been facing serious financial hardships already this year, reporting just $6.7 million in the bank through April, while their Democratic counterparts held over $53 million in reserve. In addition to the audit, Kelner said the NRCC has already begun implementing new safeguards, including creating a chief financial officer position, diverting more resources to accounting staff and by building a new written compliance plan that closes loopholes Ward was able to exploit.

More money heading to the accounting department is only the beginning of the financial toll the scandal has taken on the NRCC. According to Kelner, the committee has paid about $530,000 in fees to PriceWaterhouseCoopers, the accounting firm retained to conduct the investigation, as well as banks, a public relations firm and his law office, Covington & Burling, which has long served as the NRCC's legal counsel. The firm has aided the NRCC through the investigation in communications with the FBI, the Federal Election Commission and the U.S. Attorney's office.

Once detected, the fraud was easy to uncover, Kelner said. "He doesn't appear to have undertaken a particularly clever fraud," Kelner said of Ward. Ward started at the NRCC as assistant treasurer in 1995, before being elevated to the committee's top financial slot in 2003. He left the committee in July, 2007, though he continued to serve as a consultant in an advisory role until January, 2008.

After seeking a full audit of the committee's 2006 activity throughout 2007, two top Republican officials, NRCC executive director Pete Kirkham and Jeff Burton, chief of staff to Rep. Mike Conaway, the head of the organization's audit committee, confronted Ward in January in a series of what Kelner described as "heated and more pointed" interactions, leading to the confrontation, and Ward's firing, on January 28. Kelner said without their efforts, the fraud would have continued undetected, calling Kirkham and Burton the "unsung heroes" of the story.

The two discovered that Ward had forged audit reports throughout the decade, and that the last time an audit of the committee's finances had been conducted was in 2001. A partial audit was conducted in 2002, and no audits were conducted in the following five years.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 04:15 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, said to occupy a prominent place on whatever version of vice presidential short list John McCain has in his head, is keeping busy over a two-day stretch in Washington. While McCain is out of town, his one-time rival is certainly making his presence in Republican circles known.

Despite thunder and lightening, and more than a few tornado warnings, Romney attended a fundraiser held by the Susan B. Anthony List, which promotes pro-life Republicans, last night in Washington. Money from the event went to Rep. Steve Pearce, who on Tuesday claimed the GOP nomination to replace outgoing Senator Pete Domenici in New Mexico.

This morning Romney hit three morning shows -- on MSNBC, CNN and Fox News -- live from McCain's Arlington, Virginia headquarters.

Later, Romney will hold a media availability at a swank hotel just up the road from McCain Central, with former Governor Jim Gilmore, the GOP nominee for retiring Senator John Warner's seat, and businessman Keith Fimian, who is running for Tom Davis's Eleventh District. Romney is also slated to attend a fundraiser for Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, who will run for re-election in 2009.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 10:00 AM | Email Author | Permalink

Concerned with the lack of positive message their party is offering, the conservative Republican Study Committee will offer a new platform today they hope will bolster their image with voters, and that may boost the RSC's profile in the House Republican conference. After three straight special election losses, some Republicans are worried that calling Democrats liberal tax-and-spenders simply won't work.

Last night, RSC chairman Jeb Hensarling sent a memo to committee members urging them to attend today's conference meeting in order to make their voices heard. "Collectively, the Republican Conference needs to unify behind a handful of policy proposals that are bold, simple, and are truly part of our core identity," Hensarling wrote. Hensarling and the RSC will urge fellow Republicans to adopt an "action plan" around easy-to-swallow bullet points that can serve as the framework for the party's larger message heading into November.

The plan calls for Republicans to accept an immediate, unilateral earmark moratorium; holding the line on spending and cutting taxes; reforming health care; dropping gas prices by increasing domestic production; prohibiting interstate abortion; and reforming certain welfare work requirements.

Fiscal policy comes first on the list, Hensarling told the New York Times, because that's where the party is hurt the most. After bridges to nowhere and record numbers of earmarks when they ruled Congress, the GOP image has suffered significantly. Fortunately, the Times writes, that dovetails nicely with John McCain's hardline stand on spending policy.

Hensarling's proposals come as House Republican leaders have started crafting their own message for November, under the slogan "The Change You Deserve." Other groups, too, plan to offer their own slogans and themes, but Republicans in Congress have figured one thing out: Running against the incumbent party rarely works, as it requires the incumbents to make a big mistake. The last time that happened, it hurt Republicans, leading into one of those rare occurrences, in 2006.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 12:00 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Despite calls in some Republican corners for a leadership shakeup, House Minority Leader John Boehner told ABC's George Stephanopoulos yesterday that he and National Republican Congressional Committee chairman Tom Cole were safe, for now.

"I know what needs to be done to deliver real reform here in Washington. I'm staying. My job is to help bring our members together and lead them," Boehner said. "Tom and I had a very good meeting on Friday. We had several conversations last week. Frank and constructive and positive. And I expect we're going to have more conversations next week. He's staying."

Boehner's declaration comes on the heels of three consecutive Republican losses in special elections, losses that have sounded serious alarm bells within the beleaguered party. "When my members want to moan and groan, I understand it," Boehner said. "Things haven't been real happy for them, losing three special elections. But we all have to look in the mirror. We all have to decide, 'Alright what are we going to do today in order to show the American people that we're serious about doing the kind of things they want done?'"

Some Republicans last week suggested that Cole, whose leadership of the NRCC has been second-guessed for months, might be replaced by Virginia Rep. Tom Davis, who increased the party's majorities during his tenure at the helm. Davis, who is not running for re-election himself, issued a memo to fellow Republicans last week in which he called for his party to distance itself from President Bush, and has repeatedly spoken frankly about the GOP's injuries to various media outlets.

One knock on Cole has been his refusal to get involved in primaries to ensure the eventual nominee is the strongest possible candidate. Washington Republicans lay significant blame for the three lost special elections at the feet of the losing candidates, including Jim Oberweis in Illinois, Woody Jenkins in Louisiana and Greg Davis in Mississippi. But Cole told Roll Call's David Drucker he would not change his policy of staying out of competitive primaries. "At this point the last thing a candidate would want is to be the hand-picked candidate of Washington, D.C.," Cole said Friday.

That's not an approach Boehner follows himself. The House Minority Leader, Drucker writes, has endorsed Republican candidates in competitive primaries in Kansas, New Hampshire and New Jersey. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee uses the practice of getting involved in primaries, and Tom Davis and other previous NRCC chairs have done so as well.

With most analysts expecting double-digit losses for national Republicans come November, Cole's and Boehner's jobs could be in jeopardy. NRCC chairs have recently headed the committee for two cycles, though Cole has made clear his indecision about whether to run for another term at the helm. And both parties have made a practice of retiring their leaders after big losses, potentially putting Boehner's position in play as well.

-- Reid Wilson and Kyle Trygstad

Posted by Reid Wilson at 01:00 PM | Email Author | Permalink

As John McCain lets a number of rising Republican stars take their turns in the vice presidential speculation spotlight, two front-runners are getting more involved in other states, a sure sign the media will descend upon them next as speculation runs rampant.

Florida Governor Charlie Crist will host two invitation-only events in Tampa and Fort Lauderdale in early June, inviting national Republicans to discuss ways to vault the wounded GOP back to the top of the pile, the Associated Press reports. Crist's top adviser and former chief of staff, George LeMieux, will be heavily involved, and to add party weight Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour is co-hosting.

Barbour took himself out of the running for the number two slot earlier this month in an interview with the Washington Times. But Crist's name has long been floated, despite his denials and demurrals, as someone with a future in the national GOP. Bringing Republican leaders together for a summit on the future of the party is a sure way to keep the vice presidential buzz going.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, one of McCain's earliest backers, will give the keynote speech at a huge gathering of Wisconsin Republicans, the Wausau Daily Herald reports. The state hasn't voted Republican since 1984, but with McCain on the ballot, Badger Republicans are optimistic about their chances. (The latest RCP Wisconsin Average shows Barack Obama running just 1.6 points ahead of McCain there.)

State and local parties around the country now have a plethora of choices for fundraising dinners large and small. Whether it's Crist, Pawlenty or any of the dozen or so serious contenders interested in the number two slot, no local party should have trouble lining up talent, especially if they're a swing state. Pawlenty, too, has serious appeal in the upper Midwest, a place McCain could make inroads in the search for new electoral votes, and heading to Wisconsin could be the beginning of his time in the sun.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 01:00 PM | Email Author | Permalink

National Republican Congressional Committee chairman Tom Cole held a rare conference call with reporters and conservative bloggers today, just hours after a Republican-held Congressional seat fell into Democratic hands, the third such instance in three months and the second in under two weeks. In that election, Democrat Travis Childers defeated Republican Greg Davis to capture the seat once held by Senator Roger Wicker, a seat that has not been in Democratic hands since 1994.

As in his statement after the defeat last night, Cole was honest about his party's struggles. "When you lose 3 of these in a row, obviously you have to get beyond campaign tactics and you have to take a long hard look. Is there something wrong with your product?" he asked.

Still, in the wake of some GOP calls for a staff shakeup at the NRCC, Cole said he would resist the pressure. "I think it would be a great mistake to think that this is a question of tweaking a few things here or there or staff changes," he said. "What we've got right now is a deficiency in our message and a loss of confidence from the American people."

"That's something we need to be honest with ourselves about, look in the mirror about," he said. But, he pledged, "We continue to have offensive opportunities based on both individual issues that involve candidates and their voting records" and what he described as a do-nothing Democratic Congress.

Cole repeatedly maintained that the two Democrats who have won seats this month -- Don Cazayoux in Louisiana and Childers in Mississippi -- won by following a fundamentally Republican playbook. Nationalizing the elections, though, and associating Cazayoux and Childers with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and likely Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama can still work, he said.

The NRCC spent more than $1.7 million trying to tie Cazayoux and Childers to national and more liberal Democrats, though unsuccessfully. "I think that's still, you know, a useful tool. Do I think that's a substitute for a substantive agenda? No," he admitted. But nationalizing the election seems to be the path to which Cole is committed, raising the specter of repairing the Republican brand by November. "What we have to do is look in the mirror a little bit and say, 'How have we lost our way?'"

Posted by Reid Wilson at 01:45 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Is MSNBC your choice for election night coverage this evening? If so, you'll see a familiar face on the air as Mike Huckabee co-anchors the coverage. Huckabee will join Chris Matthews, Keith Olbermann and a host of network commentators on what should be a relatively easy and early night of coverage.

It has long been rumored that Huckabee might be in line, or at least interested in, a television gig, though after his surprisingly strong performance in the GOP primary he's now said to be in line for a spot on the GOP ticket. John McCain might be watching tonight as Huckabee does battle with fellow guest-host Harold Ford, a smart politician likely akin to someone McCain's vice presidential nominee would have to debate.

A report from US News yesterday, citing a top McCain fundraiser close to the campaign's inner circle, suggests Huckabee is at the top of the vice presidential selection list.

The appearance comes after a Bob Novak article yesterday suggesting Huckabee may benefit from evangelical conservatives who hold back from supporting McCain in hopes of a Huckabee re-run in 2012. Huckabee smacked down that notion in a post on his website, as Jonathan Martin reports, calling the concept that he would do anything less than campaign at full tilt for McCain "absurd."

But Huckabee also pointed out that he will be speaking to graduates of a college for home-schooled students in Virginia. The head of that school, Mike Farris, is said by Novak to be Huckabee's chief cheerleader and has yet to endorse McCain's candidacy.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 11:00 AM | Email Author | Permalink

Today, we wrote about the troubling scene inside the House Republican Conference just days before a special election in Mississippi to replace now-Senator Roger Wicker. After special election losses in Illinois and Louisiana in recent weeks, tension between House Minority Leader John Boehner and NRCC chairman Tom Cole are said to be running at an all-time high.

But even though generic congressional ballot questions show Democrats running more than a dozen points ahead of Republicans -- the latest survey, from CBS and the New York Times, had it at 18 points, the same gap as before the 2006 elections -- the NRCC has been reluctant to admit a national problem.

GOP strategists have excused their party's poor performance in previous special elections by blaming flawed candidates. After the loss in Illinois, Boehner reportedly told members at a closed conference meeting that Jim Oberweis, the Republican candidate, lost his home precinct by a four-to-one margin. That statistic was repeated religiously by Republican members and staff in subsequent conversations with the media. The problem, though, is that Oberweis won his home precinct by an approximately three-to-two margin.

After Republican candidate Woody Jenkins lost his special election, the NRCC pointed to the fact that previous polls had shown Democrat Don Cazayoux leading by ten points, and he won by just three after advertising sought to link him to Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi. Nationalizing the race, they said, had closed the gap. Still, Republicans on Capitol Hill said Jenkins, who has a long history in Louisiana politics, had too much baggage.

Even the GOP candidate in neighboring Mississippi is getting in on the act. "Greg Davis [the mayor of Southaven, Mississippi and the party's candidate in that special election] and Woody Jenkins are two completely different candidates," Davis manager Ted Prill told Politics Nation.

But Davis is also being touted as a less than perfect candidate, and sources throughout Washington already have the talking point down: Davis is the mayor of a town in the Memphis suburbs, far away from the district's population center, in Tupelo. Childers' home county is just north of Tupelo, and in the South, several top Republicans pointed out, georaphy matters. If the GOP loses again, they will point to the fact that Davis was simply a candidate from the wrong part of the district.

Fair or not, that's how Republican leaders in Washington are casting their losing candidates, instead of taking blame themselves. It's probably a wise solution, given that a devastating loss in November could lead to both Cole and Boehner's ouster from their leadership posts. "The two offices are positioning themselves to avoid blame or to lay blame," one top Republican leadership aide outside of Cole's and Boehner's office told Politics Nation. "The rest of leadership is just trying to avoid a family fight."

Posted by Reid Wilson at 10:00 AM | Email Author | Permalink

Reprinted from today's Wall Street Journal Political Diary:

The fast-growing Hispanic population in America has also proved a growing political problem for the Republican Party. The GOP's share of the Hispanic vote plummeted after the last Republican Congress's angry debate on immigration reform. That episode, which quickly focused on fence-building and deportations, created a portion of the electorate that now holds the Republican Party in increasing contempt.

Exit polls from the 2004 election show Hispanic voters favored Democratic candidates in Congressional elections by 55%-44% margin. Two years later, that margin more than doubled, with Hispanics favoring Democratic candidates by 62%-37%. In some states, several enforcement-only hardliners lost what had been Republican districts to more moderate Democratic challengers. In Arizona alone, Rep. J.D. Hayworth lost his seat to Democrat Harry Mitchell, while State Senator Gabrielle Giffords, also a Democrat, won an open seat previously held by a senior Republican when she beat an anti-illegal immigration activist.

This year, GOP strategists have warned that their party is in danger of categorically ruling out competing among Hispanic voters for perhaps a generation to come.

At least one state Republican Party is trying to engage Hispanic voters before it's too late. This weekend, the Florida GOP will host a Hispanic Leadership Council Conference featuring keynote addresses from Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, Rep. Luis Fortuno of Puerto Rico, and home-state Senator Mel Martinez -- three of the leading Hispanic voices in the party today.

"The Hispanic vote and the African American vote is the future of the Republican Party," Florida party chair Jim Greer says (Mr. Greer held a similar event aimed at African American voters late last year). To get the groups involved, he adds: "We ensure that they have a seat at the table, and wherever [the Republican Party has] failed in the past, we correct that."

It is a help to the GOP that John McCain is the party's standard-bearer in this year's presidential contest. Mr. McCain is far more moderate on immigration issues than most of his primary rivals were, several of whom proposed steps just short of outright deportation of undocumented aliens. And while Mr. McCain has recently backed off his support for a comprehensive approach that would include a guest-worker program, telling conservative voters in his own base that he understands their concerns about rewarding illegal behavior, his legislative and political record could prove more appealing to Hispanic voters, or at least less damaging to the party's chances with those voters, than anything his erstwhile rivals could have offered.

If Mr. Greer's efforts to woo Hispanic voters works (and he says the Hispanic constituency is "critically important" to a successful GOP presidential campaign in Florida), the idea could be exported to other states in time for Congressional elections in 2010. But if others choose the route of ex-Rep. Hayworth and the immigration hardliners, the damage to party's reputation with Hispanic voters could be severe and long lasting.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 05:20 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Buffeted by recent losses in special elections in Republican-held seats in Louisiana and Illinois, House Minority Leader John Boehner has formed a new advisory committee to assist and monitor the National Republican Congressional Committee. The new body, which includes NRCC chair Tom Cole, will keep an eye on political and financial progress at the GOP's House campaign arm.

The twelve-person group is largely made up of Republican members already involved in the NRCC. Along with Boehner and Cole, the other nine members all sit on the NRCC's executive committee, and several have served as lead organizers on major fundraising dinners benefiting the NRCC.

Committee members include Reps. Devin Nunes, Kevin McCarthy and Darrell Issa, of California; Michigan Reps. Thad McCotter, who chairs the Republican Policy Committee, and Candice Miller, who is in charge of candidate recruitment on the executive committee; Virginia Reps. Eric Cantor, the chief deputy whip, and Tom Davis, a former NRCC chair himself; and Reps. Jeb Hensarling, of Texas, John Kline, of Minnesota, and Pat Tiberi, of Ohio.

NRCC chair Cole has come under increasing criticism in recent weeks following his party's special election losses and as the committee continues to face a serious financial shortfall against their Democratic rivals. In a meeting earlier this week, Cole blamed some fellow Republicans who have yet to contribute to the committee and who have not donated to Greg Davis, the mayor of Southaven, Mississippi who is carrying the party's banner in next week's special election to fill Senator Roger Wicker's House seat, according to The Hill.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 12:30 PM | Email Author | Permalink

After flipping through hundreds of Federal Election Commission reports detailing the daily lives of every candidate under the sun, we've come to a close. Check back on the posts we've had up over the last week, inspecting the hot House races of the cycle:

The Northeast, the Mid-Atlantic, Pennsylvania, The South, Florida, the Ohio Valley, the Dust Bowl, the Rocky Mountains, the Desert West, the West Coast, the Northern Mississippi, and the Great Lakes, both Western and Eastern, along with the House campaign committees.

Taking a gander at all those House races means there are bound to be a few massive glaring errors, and for those Politics Nation apologizes. Thanks to everyone who pointed out, for example:

-- That Lou Barletta, running against Rep. Paul Kanjorski in Pennsylvania, is the mayor of Hazelton, not Scranton.

-- That some of the numbers in New Jersey reflected the cash on hand statistics for the end of 2007, not for the end of the First Quarter in 2008. In New Jersey's Third District, State Senator John Adler finished March with $1 million in the bank after raising $1.17 million, $500,000 more than we'd reported. In the Seventh District, 2006 candidate and Assemblywoman Linda Stender has $845,000 remaining after raising nearly $1.05 million. Our numbers for two Republicans in each of those districts were accurate.

-- That Indiana's primary is on May 6, not May 13 (You'd think, with all the presidential hoopla, that we would have remembered that.).

-- That Ashwin Madia, the Democratic nominee for Congress in Minnesota's Third District, could use a better descriptor than "Democratic activist." Madia is a lawyer, an Iraq war veteran and not exactly the biggest Democrat in the history of the world, either. Roll Call's Shira Toeplitz pointed us to this interview, with Minnesota Public Radio, in which Madia admits that he voted for President Bush in 2000 after telling the same station that he voted for Al Gore that year.

-- That Bob Onder, the candidate for Congress in Missouri's 9th District who has raised the most money to date, is in fact a Republican, not a Democrat.

-- That Wayne Parker, a Republican, is running for Congress in Alabama's Fifth District. Parker filed his organizational paperwork with the FEC on April 4, and we just plain missed it. He raised $177,000 in the first few days of his candidacy.

Other mistakes we made? Candidates we missed? Feel free to email us your comments and complaints.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 02:00 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Despite just eleven governor's mansions being on the ballot this year, Washington-based committees that will help their parties defend and contest those seats are raising record amounts of money. Beyond this year, when just four contests are expected to be competitive, both parties are already looking ahead to 2010 when three dozen seats will be up for election.

The Democratic Governors' Association will report raising $5.7 million when they file first quarter reports next week. That leaves the committee with $10.5 million in the bank, more than they have ever held after the initial three months of the year. In a statement, DGA finance chairman Martin O'Malley, governor of Maryland, predicted the committee would raise more this year than it ever has. "We are off to a great start, and we're not slowing down," O'Malley said.

But officials at the Republican Governors' Association are also confident in their fundraising abilities, and the committee will report receipts of about $1.3 million more than their Democratic rivals. The RGA raised just over $7 million in the first quarter, and will show $14.6 million in the bank when they file their reports with the FEC. "It says a lot about the RGA that we're outraising the Democrats when they have the strong upper hand," Mississippi Governor and RGA finance chair Haley Barbour said in a statement.

The two committees will likely spend their money battling over open seats in North Carolina, where Democrat Mike Easley is term-limited, and Missouri, where Republican Matt Blunt surprised observers by dropping his bid for re-election earlier this year. Two incumbents -- Washington State Democrat Christine Gregoire and Indiana Republican Mitch Daniels -- will also face tough fights to keep their jobs.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 01:30 PM | Email Author | Permalink

While the National Republican Congressional Committee hasn't seen much good news lately, chairman Tom Cole finally has something to brag about: Nearly a year and a half after the 2006 elections, the committee has finally paid off its debt, Cole told members in a letter yesterday, Politico's Patrick O'Connor reports.

The party still faces a mountain to climb, especially given Democrats' huge head start in the fundraising department, but getting into the black for good after incurring a $19 million debt is a first step.

Cole used the letter to again solicit members for donations from their campaign accounts, another area of fundraising where Republicans have lagged behind their Democratic counterparts. This month, the NRCC will likely outraise the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee thanks to a benefit dinner hosted by President Bush that raised somewhere around $8.6 million.

At the end of last month, the NRCC reported $1.9 million in remaining debt, with about $5.1 million cash on hand. That trailed far behind the DCCC, which reported $38 million in the bank with just $762,000 owed to outside vendors. Even assuming the party did not spend a penny beyond paying off the debt, Republicans will still trail Democrats by at least a three-to-one margin after this month, though the gap is likely to be wider when the committees report their March fundraising totals on April 20.

Republicans on Capitol Hill have been grousing that Cole's fundraising abilities were insufficient, and public spats with Minority Leader John Boehner nearly led to Cole's exit earlier this cycle. Cole has said he is unsure if he will seek a second term as NRCC chair, as has been custom in recent years. Democratic strategist Paul Begala, meanwhile, sent out a fundraising email (apparently from his BlackBerry) before last night's midnight deadline suggesting the DCCC will report about $5 million raised this month.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 10:00 AM | Email Author | Permalink

The concept of a Democratic super majority, in which the party achieves 60 seats in the Senate after the 2008 election, has increasingly cropped up in recent weeks, thanks to a New York Times story that first raised the prospect. Today, American Spectator associate editor James Antle tackles the same subject, wondering whether the party can actually run the table and reach a majority large enough to effectively shut Republicans out of the process.

But is such a large gap actually achievable? Probably not, as veteran analyst Stu Rothenberg wrote soon after the Times story appeared.

For Democrats to reach such a milestone, they would essentially have to run the table. The party is likely to pick up seats in Virginia, New Hampshire and New Mexico, and Republican-held seats in Minnesota, Alaska and Colorado remain strong opportunities for them. Assuming they pick up all five -- not a safe bet in the latter three, to be sure, especially if Alaska's Ted Stevens decides against another bid or loses his primary -- they will still fall three seats short of the magic number.

The party has made little secret of the fact that Senators Susan Collins, of Maine, and Gordon Smith, of Oregon, are top targets. That leaves Democrats one short of a super majority, and as they cast about for new targets, the terrain becomes decidedly more difficult.

To reach 60, Democrats will need to pick up one of the following states: North Carolina, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Kentucky.

In North Carolina, first-term Senator Elizabeth Dole has faced a tough six years. But the state is likely to go Republican in the presidential contest, and Dole's likely challenger, State Senator Kay Hagan, is little-known around the Tar Heel State. Dole had $2.6 million in the bank at the end of the year, and though Hagan raised an impressive $515,000, running as a Democrat against such a well-known incumbent in a Republican state will be exceedingly difficult.

Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe has never topped 57% in a state that votes even more heavily Republican than North Carolina, but he's faced some tough opponents: In 1994, he beat an incumbent Congressman for a partial term after Democrat David Boren stepped down. In 1996, he won a full term against Boren's cousin James, who, though underfunded, carried a well-known name. In 2002, he beat former Governor David Walters. This year, Inhofe will likely face State Senator Andrew Rice, a candidate without the footprint of any of Inhofe's three previous challengers.

Roger Wicker, appointed senator after the departure of Trent Lott, will likely face his toughest election this year, against former Governor Ronnie Musgrove. But Musgrove lost his 2003 bid for re-election to now-Governor Haley Barbour, and recent legal proceedings that might involve a previous run for office don't look good for the Democrat. Wicker will also benefit from two sets of coattails: Those of John McCain, who will be strong in the state, and of senior Senator Thad Cochran, who is running for re-election this year. Musgrove's bid remains a long shot.

Finally, a good way to beat an incumbent is to catch them off guard, as happened to several incumbents in 2006. But if any candidate is not going to be caught off guard, it will be Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Though MoveOn.org and other interest groups will target McConnell as national Republicans targeted then-Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle in South Dakota, McConnell has a $9 million bank account and is aware of the threat he faces. His likely Democratic opponent, two-time gubernatorial candidate Bruce Lunsford, will be well-funded too, but McConnell's name is likely too big to overcome.

In short, Democrats will be lucky to get to 57 or 58 seats in the Senate. Every year, close Senate races tend to break all in the same direction, as Antle points out -- Republicans won all the close races in 2002, except South Dakota, and Democrats did the same in 2006, with the exception of Tennessee. This year, though, it is hard to see how any of the four third-tier races will be close to begin with.

For Democrats, the idea of a super majority after 2008 is like buying a lottery ticket: The investment pays off in pleasant dreams, if not in reality.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 12:30 PM | Email Author | Permalink

From today's Wall Street Journal Political Diary:

The news just keeps getting worse for Republicans in Congress: After losing a Congressional seat that once belonged to former Speaker Dennis Hastert in Illinois, the party lost what may have been a winnable seat in Indiana. Adding insult to injury, the National Republican Congressional Committee spent more than $1.2 million losing the Illinois race and yet didn't spend a penny in Indiana despite its candidate getting slammed by the NRCC's heavy-spending Democratic counterpart.

But members of the House Republican Caucus aren't ready to pack it in and go home just yet. The party raised $8.6 million at an annual dinner in Washington last night, headlined by President Bush, exceeding even the $7.5 million goal set for the shindig. And members of Congress let it be known they consider the loss of the former Hastert seat an aberration that can be blamed on the candidate.

While the loss was a blow, GOP leaders blamed dairy owner and wealthy businessman Jim Oberweis for being a flawed candidate. "Jim Oberweis went from being perceived [as] the tenacious guy to just being a wealthy individual looking for a gig," one Republican Member of Congress said. "There's nothing the NRCC is going to do about that. To lay [the loss] on the doorstep of the NRCC, it would be inaccurate."

In turn, a strategist familiar with the Illinois campaign suggested Mr. Oberweis lost because Democrats effectively tied him to President Bush, even casting the special election as an opportunity to vote against the current administration. That has to be troubling to national Republican leaders, who have long maintained that Mr. Bush will not be on the ballot, and thus not a factor, in 2008.

Shrugging off the Bush albatross would be difficult enough if the party were on an equal financial footing with Democrats. But that's hardly the case. Even after last night's dinner (and assuming they spent nothing on the dinner), the NRCC still trails House Democrats by more than $20 million in cash on hand. The job of defending a stunning number of vulnerable open seats will be even more difficult if the GOP has an empty checking account.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 03:45 PM | Email Author | Permalink

A new report from the Federal Election Commission shows House Democrats were more generous with their own campaign cash than House Republicans in the first thirteen months of the cycle. The transfers, from candidates' campaign committees to the DCCC and the NRCC, are just a part of the large cash disadvantage Republicans face.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which had nearly $35.1 million in the bank through January 31, accumulated the money with the assistance of about $18.4 million from their caucus members. Top donors included House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who kicked in $785,000; Whip Jim Clyburn, with $770,000; Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, who donated $685,000; committee chairs Charlie Rangel and Barney Frank, with $685,000 and $550,000, respectively; caucus chairman Rahm Emanuel, who gave $475,000; and current DCCC chairman Chris Van Hollen, who donated $435,000 to his own cause.

Those numbers do not include Democratic members' pledges to raise additional funds for the DCCC. Depending on their position in the House, members have to raise additional funds for the committee, ranging from less than $100,000 to tens of millions of dollars. How much each member has to raise, though, is a closely-guarded secret.

Republicans lagged far behind Democratic contributions, with just $10.6 million in donations to the beleaguered NRCC. Minority Leader John Boehner dropped $845,000 from his own campaign account, while Reps. Dave Camp ($480,000), Wally Herger ($300,000), Kay Granger ($265,000) and Cliff Sterns ($262,500) wrote big checks. All four are said to be seeking prime committee slots. Retiring Reps. Jim McCrery and Jim Saxton helped out, donating $490,000 and $275,000 from their soon-to-be-shuttered campaign accounts.

While Republicans have a smaller caucus than Democrats, their average member is still giving far less than the average Democrat. Democrats are ponying up just shy of $80,000 per member, while Republicans are giving about $53,500 each. What is more impressive is that most Democratic freshmen, especially those facing tough re-election battles, are forgiven dues for at least their first term.

Boehner, who has worked hard to keep his caucus together, has grown increasingly frustrated with some members. At a GOP caucus meeting last week, Boehner told members to get off their "dead asses," as Politico's Patrick O'Connor reported, to help the NRCC raise money. NRCC chair Tom Cole and minority whip Roy Blunt also urged members to help the committee raise money for the party's March 12 fundraising dinner, O'Connor wrote.

Even if the NRCC makes its $7.5 million goal, and even if members begin handing over more sizable checks to the national party, Republicans have a long way to go to catch up. The NRCC reported just $6.4 million in the bank after January 31, nearly $29 million behind Democrats.

Democrats are raising more money than Republicans virtually across the board, and compared with 2005, the last pre-election year, and 2003, the last pre-presidential year, Democrats are performing better than they were and showing increases that outpace the GOP. In 2007, the DCCC's cash receipts grew 57%, while the committee's receipts grew 136% over 2003. Republicans, meanwhile, saw their fundraising shrink by 22% from 2005 and 31% over 2003.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 10:00 AM | Email Author | Permalink

The Republican Governors' Association raised a record $10.6 million at an annual gala last night in Washington, giving the only GOP campaign committee with a leg up on its Democratic rival a bigger boost. The event is also certain to boost the vice presidential prospects of -- or at least buzz around -- the lead organizer, someone who has already been proposed as John McCain's potential running mate.

Though Republicans own just 22 governorships, down from a peak of more than 30 during the 1990s, the haul is impressive, and much more than other recent Republican single events in Washington have raised. The RGA already had a cash lead over Democrats, hauling in more than $21.5 million last year and banking $9.2 million. The Democratic Governors' Association reported raising more than $12 million in 2007, with $7.2 million remaining on hand.

Any politician who can raise in one night almost half what the committee raised in an entire year is going to be noticed. But dinner chairman Mark Sanford, South Carolina's governor, might bring something more to his party than just money: Sanford, who endorsed McCain in 2000 as a congressman but stayed neutral in this year's contests, has been rumored as a potential number two on the McCain-led ticket.

Choosing Sanford could be a very popular move for McCain among his own base. Popular among Washington conservative groups around whom McCain has been a pariah, Sanford would bring a record on domestic issues, matters that are frequently seen as a McCain weakness. Both Sanford and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, rumored to be another top McCain choice, appeared this weekend on Fox News Sunday to show off their television skills.

President Bush headlined the gala, offering the 1,400 people crammed into the National Building Museum an upbeat assessment of his party's chances next year, including that Republicans would hold the White House. The event came at the end of a weekend of meetings among the nation's governors, eleven of whom face voters this year.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 01:30 PM | Email Author | Permalink

The campaign wing of the House Republican caucus narrowly outraised its Democratic counterpart in January, though the NRCC remains well behind the DCCC in total cash in the bank. FEC reports released yesterday show a minor victory for NRCC chair Tom Cole, but DCCC chief Chris Van Hollen retains bragging rights.

In January, the NRCC raised almost $3.8 million and has a bank account of $6.4 million. They retain a debt of slightly over $2.3 million. The DCCC raised just over $3.7 million and spent much more than Republicans. Democrats have $35.5 million in the bank and $1.7 million in debts and obligations.

Senate Republicans are in relatively better position with regard to their Democratic opponents. The NRSC raised $3.5 million in January, banking $1.2 million of that for a total bank account of $13.2 million. But the DSCC raised $3.9 million last month, a faster clip than the NRSC, and ended with $30.5 million cash on hand.

While Senate Republicans enjoy a smaller disadvantage than their House counterparts, their fundraising pace has been slower than each of the other three committees in recent months. They banked more than Democrats last month by spending $600,000 less than the DSCC.

While both Democratic campaign wings are easily outpacing their GOP counterparts in money in the bank, Howard Dean's Democratic National Committee fell farther behind Mike Duncan's Republican National Committee last month. The DNC raised $5.76 million in January and banked just $60,000, ending the month with $3 million in the bank and a $250,000 debt. The RNC, meanwhile, pulled in $11.8 million and kept more than $21.7 million in the bank.

In total, Democrats have a big fundraising advantage. Together, the three committees have $69 million in the bank, while Republican committees have $41.3 million lying around.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 11:00 AM | Email Author | Permalink

A former employee acting as an outside vendor is suspected of fraud by the National Republican Congressional Committee, chairman Tom Cole said in a statement released this afternoon. Without going into details, Cole said the NRCC has notified authorities of its suspicions.

"We learned earlier this week of irregularities in our financial audit process," Cole said in the statement. "We are aggressively and thoroughly investigating the matter and, while we determine the details, have terminated our relationship" with the ex-employee.

A Republican with knowledge of the investigation told Politico, and Politics Nation has confirmed, the FBI has been contacted about the possible fraud.

Update: A Republican source tells Politics Nation that the investigation is focused on Chris Ward, who served last cycle as comptroller at the NRCC. This cycle, the committee had been using Ward as a vendor who handled their reports with the Federal Election Commission, paying him at least $37,500 during 2007.

Ward has also served as treasurer for campaign committees and leadership PACs including those of Reps. Jim Walsh, Jim Saxton, Peter Roskam, Lamar Smith and Denny Rehberg as well as Senator John Ensign's leadership PAC.

The NRCC would not comment on the investigation, though the source, who is outside the committee, characterized the fraud as severe. Details of exactly what is being investigated is unclear. A call to Ward's home, which matched the address listed in the NRCC's FEC reports, went unanswered and the message unreturned.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 03:25 PM | Email Author | Permalink

NBC Political Director Chuck Todd on Sunday put into words what every political junkie has thought for months. "We've all got what we want for Christmas," he said on Meet The Press. "It's this race."

A year in to the widest open, most covered and most fascinating presidential race in a generation, and just a week before the first votes are cast, eight candidates have at least some legitimate chance at winning their party's nominations. None are in their positions by accident.

In the fight for the Republican nomination, there have arguably been four front-running candidates. The strategies that have worked -- and those that haven't -- have made for a fluid race in which, even at this late date, many have concluded there is no front-runner at all. Recently, we examined the top moments in the Democratic race. Today we take a look at the five moments in 2005 that most changed the GOP race:

Continue reading "5 Moments That Changed The GOP Race" »

Posted by Reid Wilson at 02:00 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Top Republicans are expected to announce soon that the National Republican Congressional Committee is finally out of debt, Politico's Patrick O'Connor reports. After almost a year of paying off a massive debt incurred during the 2006 cycle, Republicans in the House helped the struggling committee with transfers of about $3 million this week.

The committee has reported a re-energized fundraising base after two strong wins in special elections in Virginia and Ohio. Much of that new money has come from members of the GOP caucus, including $500,000 donations from both House Minority Leader John Boehner and former Appropriations Committee chairman David Dreier. Retiring Rep. Jim Saxton looks likely to donate some of his remaining war chest to the committee, while others seeking prominent committee slots are likely to pony up big sums as well.

Now out of debt, House Republicans turn their attention to shrinking the huge fundraising edge their Democratic counterparts enjoy. Through October 31, the DCCC maintained $29.2 million cash on hand, with about $2.1 million in debt. Republicans held just $2.5 million with a $3.6 million debt. After spending more than $500,000 to win the two special elections, and after paying down the debt, Republicans still face a long road ahead if they are to take a run at reclaiming seats.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 12:00 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Republican National Committee deputy communications director Dan Ronayne is leaving his post next week to take over as a top manager at the Washington lobbying firm Chlopak, Leonard, Schecter and Associates.

Ronayne, who served as communications director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee during the 2006 cycle, will be replaced by Brian Walton, who served as his deputy last cycle.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 08:30 PM | Email Author | Permalink

Barack Obama was right about one thing: Republicans are just licking their chops waiting for a shot at Hillary Clinton. Not only do GOP strategists see her as ripe for targeting during a general election, but other Republicans will try to tie down-ballot Democrats to their top-of-the-ticket leader.

The flap over Clinton's back-and-forth answer on driver's licenses for illegal immigrants offered an opportunity, for example, for the NRCC to take after a potentially vulnerable freshman Democrat on the same topic. "Just like Hillary, Chris Murphy is unsure about driver's licenses for illegal immigrants," a new NRCC press release heads.

The release cites a quote from Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat who knocked off long-time Rep. Nancy Johnson last year, saying he didn't know where he stood on the issue: "I haven't had time to look at it before so I probably should come down one way or the other," Murphy told Cybercast News Service.

Accusing Murphy of "Clintonesque doublespeak," the committee is offering up just one of what are likely to be many attempts to tie freshmen Democrats to Clinton. The possibility of Clinton as a galvanizing force for the GOP is an argument Obama and John Edwards will continue to make as they try and convince the Democratic electorate that only they are electable.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 11:00 AM | Email Author | Permalink

Though Bob Novak broke news a few weeks ago that Republican National Committee chairman Mel Martinez would step down once a presidential nominee was evident, likely in January, Politico reports he will actually step down today, in order to spend more time on his duties as a senator.

The resignation comes just two days after the RNC's Presidential Trust Dinner raked in $5 million from about 700 attendees. Still, some in the GOP were displeased with Martinez's election as RNC chief. Cuban by birth, Martinez and immigration hard-liners do not see eye-to-eye, which caused friction during recent debates over the issue.

During his time as RNC chair, Martinez saw his disapproval rating in his home state rise to 41% in a September Strategic Vision poll, up from 35% in March. 44% approved of Martinez's performance in both polls.

RNC co-chair Mike Duncan will stay on at the committee.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 01:20 PM | Email Author | Permalink