An Optimal Climate For Republican Victory
During my interview on Uncommon Knowledge, Peter asked me to compare the political climate for Republicans today with that of 1994, when Republicans picked up 54 seats in the House of Representatives to recapture the House for the first time in four decades.
For over a year, I’ve observed that the political climate is better for Republicans today than it was in 1994, when I was chairman of the Republican National Committee. In the summer of 2009, the American people were concerned about jobs and the economy, but all they ever heard Congress and the Obama Administration talk about was healthcare. Understandably, the American people started getting mad. And the intensity of this anger and fear is greater and started much earlier than it did in 1994. People are scared for their country’s future, they’re scared for their children and grandchildren, and they’re scared for their businesses.
I’ve worried that the anti-Obama sentiment would crescendo too early, but it appears that hasn’t happened. In fact, you could make the case based on polling numbers, that the political environment has gotten even better for Republicans. But we cannot assume that means we’re home free. While I believe that it’s more likely than not that Republicans will recapture a majority in the House of Representatives and win a significant number of Senate and gubernatorial races, we’ve got to keep our foot on the accelerator and take nothing for granted.
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Jul '10
Re: An Optimal Climate For Republican Victory
You're quite right, Governor.
Now would you please take your esteemed colleague Mitch McConnell to the woodshed?
May '10
Re: An Optimal Climate For Republican Victory
I've been very impressed with the RGA's success at harnessing the groundswell so that it translates into tangible support for Republicans from state-to-state. Do you have any suggestions for replicating that feat on a national level so that Republican Party leadership can show the same success countrywide, and so that the most effective people end up as our standard-bearers in Congress and in the Republican Party? My deepest concern is that the Republican "leadership" in Washington may shred any conservative momentum in 2010 through pointless compromise and general spinelessness.
(Looking this over, I think all I've done is write a windy, high-falutin' version of Kenneth's post.)
May '10
Re: An Optimal Climate For Republican Victory
Right on, Governor!
Jul '10
Re: An Optimal Climate For Republican Victory
If this election is a '94 landslide, do you think we will hear Obama say,"The era of big government is over[?]"
May '10
Re: An Optimal Climate For Republican Victory
No. He'll blame George W. Bush for the loss of Democrat majorities.
Re: An Optimal Climate For Republican Victory
Matthew Gilley
No. He'll blame George W. Bush for the loss of Democrat majorities. · Sep 1 at 4:23pm
He'll say: "Now, there are those in Congress...who expect me...to apologize, for saving the American people...from eight years, of the worst government in history. They believe, we'd'a been better off, with no government, during the worst economic crisis, since the Great Depression, in American history. Make no mistake -- the forces of the status quo, want me to get up here...and say that the era of government is over. Well, let me be clear: no matter who controls Congress, so long as I'm in the White House, the era of bad government is over!"
Which is why Republicans had better be ready to govern.
May '10
Re: An Optimal Climate For Republican Victory
Governor, what's your assessment of Congressman Boehner's fortitude and willingness to make the tough decisions that will be necessary if next January he is Speaker? (By all means, feel free to disregard this question if I'm jinxing the lot of us by asking it!)
I'm bullish on Boehner but also thoroughly biased, having grown up in his district. Although he's very much a politician, he seems to have genuinely conservative principles.
Jun '10
Re: An Optimal Climate For Republican Victory
Hello Governor, thanks for the post! I totally agree that we need to keep our feet on the accelerator.
What do you think of the possibility of any "October surprises" the administration might throw out there as they are becoming exceedingly desperate?
Jun '10
Re: An Optimal Climate For Republican Victory
I am thinking that the RGA is a better bet for for my $$ this cycle than the RNC