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The GOP and the Midterm Elections
The American Thinker ^ | March 22, 2009 | Lee Cary

Posted on 03/21/2009 10:37:19 PM PDT by Scanian

Still reeling from their losses last November, the GOP shows no signs of being any closer to defining its midterm election themes than it was last November 5th.

Although it may be too soon for the party to evidence preparation for the '10 midterm elections, it isn't too soon to suggest what it will take for the GOP to regain seats in the House and Senate.

First, it will take new congressional leadership. It's said that generals tend to fight the next war the way they fought the last. If the GOP fights the midterms the way it fought the '08 general election, the outcome will be repeated in defeat.

The congressional leaders in '08 were Congressman John Boehner and Senator Mitch McConnell. They need to be replaced by younger, fresher faces that represent the GOP's future. And, the sooner that happens, the better for the party. They weren't responsible for defeat; they just happened to be in the command tent at the surrender.

They jury's still out on RNC Chairman Michael Steele's effectiveness. Today, he's zero for two, having foolishly picked a fight with Rush Limbaugh and then separated himself from the anti-abortion wing of the party with comments about his personal pro-abortion beliefs.

Perhaps we can chalk Steele's missteps up to his media inexperience, but he twice fell into the trap where he alienated those within his own party. He doesn't seem to realize that one of the lead items on the liberal media's agenda is to drive a wedge between the conservative and "moderate" wings of the GOP. Steele's best course is to concentrate on organizing the party and staying under the media radar. One more major mistake and he could be out of a job.

(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 111th; 2009polls; 2010midterm; bho44; conservatives; gop; republicans; steele
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1 posted on 03/21/2009 10:37:20 PM PDT by Scanian
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To: Scanian

I believe that a new theme ought to take over our party leadership “Out with the old politicians and in with non-politicians and economist and business leaders”...I am sick and tired of these political hacks on both sides of the aisle that are way too “savvy” in the ways of how to “spend the American public’s dime, rather than hiring people who’s job it is TO WORK FOR AMERICANS! Clean house and clean the senate from the “boys club” republicans and get in some new faces, fresh and HONEST and willing to CUT THE BUDGET that is so FULL OF +_*&^^%#!!!!


2 posted on 03/21/2009 10:43:48 PM PDT by princess leah
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To: Scanian
Way too early to make such statements.

Of course, if we want to light a fire under a few people to make them work harder at this? Well then I understand.

Watch Chicago and New York in the next few days.

Pullido in Chicago has a tough fight, in a heavy Dem district, but if she even gets close, it will say something.

Tedisco, in NY 20, is still ahead. Running against a Democrat investment banker who doesnt pay taxes should help a bit, right now.

Nationally, all we need is some smart, short, documented TV advertising putting the blame for the mortgage mess at the feet of the Democrats.

3 posted on 03/21/2009 10:44:57 PM PDT by Kansas58
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To: Scanian

I believe RINO hunting season is here.


4 posted on 03/21/2009 10:46:46 PM PDT by wjcsux (Germany, 1933. America, 2009. History repeats itself again.)
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To: Scanian

The Republican party is gone.
Unless they get rid of the party hacks that make them losers.

But the Conservative PARTY IS ALIVE AND WELL!


5 posted on 03/21/2009 10:47:04 PM PDT by o_zarkman44 (Obama is the ultimate LIE!)
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To: Scanian

I don’t see much happening in 2010. “Republicans” and “conservatives” at too busy throwing each other under the bus right now and I’m not seeing any letup in all the fighting going on. This whole thing reminds me of the scene in “Blazing Saddles” where the young Black Bart’s family “circled” their lone wagon against the attacking Indians.


6 posted on 03/21/2009 10:47:30 PM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (Just being a "U.S. citizen" does not make one an American.)
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To: Scanian
The GOP needs to stop looking for the "magic bullet" and learn JUDO...the art of using your opponent's weight against him.

The CommieBama/Biden team is a virtual gaffe machine, and the horrific results of their policies - especially on the budget and spending - will be a huge plus for the GOP, if they just chill out and be patient.

Democrats have very big mouths, in which their feet are usually firmly implanted.

"...and Br'er Rabbit, he lay low..."
7 posted on 03/21/2009 10:49:50 PM PDT by FrankR (We are only enslaved to the extent of charity (bailout) we receive...think about it.)
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To: Kansas58

I agree it is way to early. It is now the time to be planning where the Dims might be vulnerable and convincing the best candidate the GOP has to seek those seats.

The issues will in all likelihood be negative issues. The US electorate likes divided government. They will tend to turn GOP to rein in Obama and the Congressional Dims spending excesses. The GOP may be somewhat of a bystander to this.


8 posted on 03/21/2009 10:54:36 PM PDT by JLS
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To: JLS
Megatrends:

“A leader will be someone who can tell which way the parade is moving, and run fast enough to get in front of them!”

This is often true.

I would like some true leadership, as well, some with the guts to stick to Conservatism even when Conservatism is not popular -—

But next year? I want to kick out RINO’s in the primary, and then kick the crap out of D's in the General.

I think we can get rid of Pelosi, as Speaker, even if we don't take over the House. The Blue Dogs will be upset if Pelosi continues to destroy the Dem brand.

9 posted on 03/21/2009 10:57:51 PM PDT by Kansas58
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To: Kansas58

The problem is that to get a majority, you must win some moderate districts and so you end up with more not fewer moderate elected officials. I would settle with having conservatives from conservative districts and moderates from moderate districts.

For example, SC is a very conservative state. That makes it hard for me to understand them sending L. Graham to the Senate.


10 posted on 03/21/2009 11:12:43 PM PDT by JLS
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To: JLS

I agree


11 posted on 03/21/2009 11:17:48 PM PDT by Kansas58
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To: All
After almost two years of this we'll all be voting Republican. But it's impossible to see if ACORN will be able to rig enough elections or if honest elections will even be held.

We won't care if the GOP runs a rotting pig carcass, we will vote for it. That's what two years of the government is going to do. We are fighting for our lives and have to get rid of some of Pelosi and Reid's forces. If we fire enough pellets at the wall, some (rino’s) will richochet back on us, but a few are bound to land.

12 posted on 03/21/2009 11:26:01 PM PDT by Luke21
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To: Scanian

How do conservatives as well as all other non-leftists seriously and successfully get around illegal immigrants that leftists will seriously allow to vote in all future U.S. elections and all of the other finite number of things that the leftists and all of their buddy’s will seriously do to successfully maintain their political majorities for as long as humanly possible? Also, how are the worsening worldwide political correctness, the worsening worldwide political bias in the worldwide MSM, the worsening worldwide “political ignorance” of many of the general public, and the worsening worldwide “political stupidity” of many of the general public all successfully stopped for always?


13 posted on 03/21/2009 11:27:06 PM PDT by johnthebaptistmoore (Conservatives obey the rules. Leftists cheat. Who probably has the political advantage?)
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To: Scanian

The pubs might have a chance to gain ground if they would adopt and live to a platform of fiscal responsibilty. They have to hammer the demons on their efforts to over regulate the ecomomy, their outrageous spending policies and demomstrate policies of RIGHT regulation. We will soon be hit again by terrorists and Obama and co cannot be allowed to blame this on Bush being that under Bush we haven’t been attacked since 9/11. They also need to go after the media for their relentless bias. they had a great oppurtunity during th pubs convention to put the media in their place but they gave it up.


14 posted on 03/21/2009 11:32:19 PM PDT by Always Independent
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To: Scanian
Unless something changes, I foresee more GOP losses in 2010. The party will keep shrinking. Still too many moderates and time-servers in it instead of committed conservatives. I wonder if it even has a message.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

15 posted on 03/21/2009 11:43:51 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: o_zarkman44
Rumors of the GOP's demise have been greatly exaggerated.

Have you seen the latest fund raising numbers?
16 posted on 03/22/2009 12:21:22 AM PDT by gtsamson (Purists are the bane of the conservative movement and the Republican Party.)
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To: Scanian
They jury's still out on RNC Chairman Michael Steele's effectiveness.

Time to stop reading right there. Anyone still supporting Barack Steele is an avowed enemy of conservatism.

17 posted on 03/22/2009 12:44:33 AM PDT by iowamark (certified by Michael Steele as "ugly and incendiary")
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To: JLS
The problem is that to get a majority, you must win some moderate districts and so you end up with more not fewer moderate elected officials. I would settle with having conservatives from conservative districts and moderates from moderate districts.

That is the only way we will make any gains. I am sorry to say that WAY TWO FEW people realize this.

18 posted on 03/22/2009 1:59:27 AM PDT by Irish Eyes
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To: Scanian

Not mean to spam but.- Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, Michigan, Chairman of the Republican House Policy Committee talks about the state of the GOP and how to Restore the Republican Party.
This is in 4 parts.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=RepMcCotter&view=videos&start=80


19 posted on 03/22/2009 2:06:09 AM PDT by anglian
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To: anglian

I just saw McCotter on CNN together with Barney Frank re. AIG bonus flap. They had a regular mutual admiration society going. Not a good look for the pubbie. They need to take on the Dems every chance they get, if you ask me (of course, nobody asked me!).


20 posted on 03/22/2009 2:27:49 AM PDT by Scanian
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