02/01/2010
As buoyant Republicans devise their game plan for the 2010 campaign, party officials are counting on a boost from an unlikely source – President Obama.
A tactic that would have seemed far-fetched a year ago, when the new president was sworn in with a 67 percent job approval rating, is now emerging as a key component of the GOP strategy: Tie Democratic opponents to Obama and make them answer for some of the unpopular policies associated with the chief executive.
GOP strategists gathered here for the Republican National Committee’s winter meeting believe that now that he's fallen below 50 percent in the venerable Gallup poll, Obama will be an asset to GOP candidates, particularly in conservative or swing states.
The challenge will be to link Democrats with the administration on such issues as spending, bailouts, healthcare and cap-and-trade while not personally attacking Obama, who remains personally well-liked even as his standing erodes. So, at least in purple states or districts, don’t expect to see an ad where the faces of Democratic candidates are morphed into that of the president—a time-honored approach from past campaigns.
But Republicans are unmistakably enthusiastic – and downright giddy in some cases – about the prospect of Democrats stumping with the president in their states, a vivid reminder about how starkly different the political landscape seems now than when Obama took office.
It’s in conservative states, of course, where they’re especially pining for a presidential visit.
“We encourage him to come,” said Louisiana GOP Chairman Roger Villere. “We encourage him to come early and often!”
National Democrats believe scandal-tarred Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) is vulnerable, but Villere already has his message down when it comes to taking on Rep. Charles Melancon, the Democrat who is challenging the incumbent senator.
“He votes 83 percent of the time with [Obama],” the Republican chair said of Melancon, adding with a chuckle: “I believe in the Reagan rule – he’s with him.” (The former president famously deemed anybody who agreed with him 80 percent of the time a friend).
In Tennessee, where there are two House seats being vacated by long-serving Democrats, Republicans are already preparing for opponents who are expected to downplay their party label and ties to the administration.
“The Democrats can’t run away from the position of their party, they can’t run away from their president,” said Tennessee GOP Chairman Chris Devaney.
With a smile, Devaney said: “I’d welcome President Obama anytime.”
What’s especially striking, though, is that it’s not just in Southern states, the region where the president fared poorest in his 2008 election, where Republicans believe the president offers strategic opportunity.
Dick Wadhams, Republican chairman in Colorado and a veteran political strategist, said he’s already preparing to make a show out of Obama’s visit next month to a state he carried by nine percentage points.
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LloydUSA
Party: Independent
Reply #1
Jan. 31, 2010 - 6:56 AM EST
The voters (mainly independents) have already done this as evident by the historic recent elections. The majority merican voters are sick to death of the democratic congress and this Obummer administration. If they continue to turn a blind eye and continue on, the 2010 elections could also become historic.
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Wodheila
Party: Conservative
Reply #2
Jan. 31, 2010 - 6:58 AM EST
It's been clear for some time how the wording of the midterm ads will go. There should be some good ones!!!
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WILD BOAR
Party: Independent
Reply #3
Jan. 31, 2010 - 7:00 AM EST
The GOP with a plan????????
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dora_rice
Party: N/A
Reply #4
Jan. 31, 2010 - 7:12 AM EST
It's just the other way around. Obama was down in the poll, GOP was up. GOP should have kept on it's path and keep up the claim he is weak on defense and jobs. Which in my opinion he is. Instead they make him look good , after his in my opinion lousy union address. He is the one, who gained in the polls.
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Tom1948Brooklyn
Party: Independent
Reply #5
Jan. 31, 2010 - 7:17 AM EST
Obama is the worst President ever ! And he as three more years to build on his incompetence!
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susied
Party: Independent
Reply #6
Jan. 31, 2010 - 7:20 AM EST
As my grandmother used to say..."turn about is fair play." I wonder if the vulnerable democrats will use the tired old "we inherited a mess" mantra for the next year? Perhaps the Congress should enact an inheritance tax on THEM!
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CommieBlaster
Party: N/A
Reply #7
Jan. 31, 2010 - 7:20 AM EST
These days, Dems = Progressives = Socialists = Communists = Marxists
Don't believe me? Look at the facts: http://commieblaster.com
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LloydUSA
Party: Independent
Reply #8
Jan. 31, 2010 - 7:20 AM EST
dora_rice: Jan. 31, 2010 - 7:12 AM EST
It's just the other way around. Obama was down in the poll, GOP was up. GOP should have kept on it's path and keep up the claim he is weak on defense and jobs. Which in my opinion he is. Instead they make him look good , after his in my opinion lousy union address. He is the one, who gained in the polls.
This is called political camoflauge. There is still no worthy plan or path to any action. Just more Obummer, Pelosi, and DOA-Reid. The economy is trugglin to get back on track and I am sure they will find a way to stifle that also.
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burt2009
Party: Independent
Reply #9
Jan. 31, 2010 - 7:22 AM EST
And the inept progressive dems will counter with anti-Bush rhetoric like they did in the NJ, VA and Mass. elections. The dems hate for Bush over shadows reality.
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Tom1948Brooklyn
Party: Independent
Reply #10
Jan. 31, 2010 - 7:25 AM EST
Hey, did you see those "Tea baggers" mop the floor with that Socialist in Massachussets?--- and many more wipings to come !!!!
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luzazul
Party: Conservative
Reply #11
Jan. 31, 2010 - 7:26 AM EST
How ironic that Obama linked everyone to Bush and now it's coming back to bit him in the a*z. I wonder if he will object to that and how hilarious would it be if he gets mad. :)
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bornorange
Party: Conservative
Reply #12
Jan. 31, 2010 - 7:31 AM EST
I hope that some aide to one of these republicans reads this.
Tying Obama to candidates is so, how to say, POLITICAL. In case you missed it, congress (of which you are a part) has a 26% approval rating. The American people don't think you can tie your shoes, let alone tie Obama to a losing campaign.
Why not show the American people that you can be different... PRINCIPLED, HONEST, PRO-CONSTITUTION AND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.
If you want conservative and independent votes, you better be able to prove these traits.
Mark my words.
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burt2009
Party: Independent
Reply #13
Jan. 31, 2010 - 7:31 AM EST
Lucianne.com
Obama and the progressives are soft on terrorists, unless of course it is a returning member of our brave military.
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Tom1948Brooklyn
Party: Independent
Reply #14
Jan. 31, 2010 - 7:33 AM EST
LIBERALS ARE COWARDS .
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burt2009
Party: Independent
Reply #15
Jan. 31, 2010 - 7:34 AM EST
luzazul: Jan. 31, 2010 - 7:26 AM EST
How ironic that Obama linked everyone to Bush and now it's coming back to bit him in the a*z
Turn around is fair play. Repubs taking a page from the DNC play book. This is just too good.
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olodfatrobby
Party: Libertarian
Reply #16
Jan. 31, 2010 - 7:39 AM EST
ALL HAIL CAESAR OBAMAO NERO!!!!
Obama Says He's Not a Bolshevik, Communist Party Thinks Otherwise
January 29, 2010
RUSH: So Obama says he's not a Bolshevik but, folks, the Communist Party USA loves Obama. Here are just some sample headlines. "CPUSA and Obama Platforms are Identical." August 8th, 2008: "Forget for the moment about Bill Ayers and Obama's other Communist friends and mentors of the distant past," and they go on to cite how his agenda and theirs are platforms, Obama's and the CPUSA, are identical.
Look, we had some fun with this in the first hour but Osama has come out and started spouting every talking point on global warming from Algore and Nobel Peace Prize-winning United Nations to Barack Obama: Beating up on America, America is destroying the planet, America didn't sign Kyoto; Osama's signaling his desire to destroy USA, its economy, Western civilization, capitalism. It's just what the Communist Party USA wants, just what Obama is doing. Here's another: CPUSA: Obama Will change USA Forever," and they're happy about it! August 7th, 2008: "Communist Party CPUSA Endorses Obama."
"Communist Party USA Hails Obama Victory." "'From the understandably elated editors of the Communist Party USA's people's weekly, formerly the Daily Worker, July 1st, 2009: 'Communist Party USA Eelebrates Obama's First Six Months.'" "Communist Party USA to Take the Streets for Obama," August 10th, 2009. This is to oppose the tea parties and the town hall meetings that were going on. "Communist Party USA Honors SEIU and the AFSCME Union Leaders." "CPUSA Speech Lays Out Obama Agenda." I mean, it's right there for people to see; and these are not, you know, play communists. They're not all that powerful here. Well, they are actually with Obama in office. But he says that he's not a Bolshevik. "I'm not. I'm not an ideologue," but he most definitely is.
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chalons
Party: NA
Reply #17
Jan. 31, 2010 - 7:41 AM EST
Voters don't need the GOP to make the association.
Independents figured out Obama while the GOP sat on their hands, afraid to criticize 'The One' out of some irrational fear of uhninged, myopic, hypersensitive race agitators.
Independents also figured out the global warming scam while most GOP'ers (save Inhofe) either sat on their hands or tried to play 'Me Too!' like Newt Gingrich and Lindsey Graham.
All the voter has to do is look at California and Michigan and the 111th Congress' completely reckless spend-a-thon and deficit ceiling increases of the past year to see that the Democrat agenda means economic death.
The GOP is maddeningly lame, but at least they are not actively pursuing our destruction.
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chalons
Party: NA
Reply #18
Jan. 31, 2010 - 7:43 AM EST
Tom1948Brooklyn: Jan. 31, 2010 - 7:33 AM EST
LIBERALS ARE COWARDS .
No, they're self absorbed, reckless, and megalomaniacal control freaks.
It is the GOP leadership that are cowards for not standing up to them more effectively.
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burt2009
Party: Independent
Reply #19
Jan. 31, 2010 - 7:49 AM EST
Associated Press
CAN OBAMA GET ANY OTHER DEMOCRATS ELECTED?
Obama built a powerful campaign organization and got himself to the White House. Now, as head of the Democratic Party, he’s expected to get other Democrats into office, too. But, judging by his one-year track record, he’s not getting it done.
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jimbridger
Party: NA
Reply #20
Jan. 31, 2010 - 7:49 AM EST
dora rice, people are fed up with both sides. if it was not for glenn beck and the other talking heads there would be no eduction of the voters going on. these stupid repubs should take the time to do the reasearch beck has, then they'll know what they are talking about. as soon as these nit-wits bring up amnesty for illegals again, it will be the voters against the whole freaking congress again,like 06. send lawyers ,guns and money...the s**t has hit the fan.
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Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0110/32263.html
Republican party officials are counting on a boost from an unlikely source – President Obama.
