All Politics Is Local

02 July 2008 |permalink | email article

House Republicans, facing unexpectedly deep GOP losses in special elections in Illinois, Louisiana and Mississippi, have been handed a new 2008 playbook aimed at minimizing November losses.

In a shocking turnabout candidates are being urged to run essentially as independents, shunning the “R’ brand, ignoring many traditional party campaign practices and emphasizing local issues, the Associated Press first reported.

It’s a rare recognition that empathy, never a key phrase in the Karl Rove lexicon, together with voter angst over the economy, the Iraq war and the capsize of President Bush era, force deemphasizing the Republican brand. 

The advice, contained in a 15-point PowerPoint presentation to House leaders last week, said “Nationalizing these elections as a choice between a traditional Republican and a traditional Democrat did not work in this political environment.”

“Democrats ran candidates that were reflective of their districts.”

On the House side Republican leaders fear a catastrophic lost of seats in what could be a huge Democratic year – zero help to John McCain.

Quotes of the Day

“I think that he’s got that credential. I think that what he has to do is demonstrate that he has a voice on the economy and healthcare.” – Former W43 strategist Matthew Doud, criticizing McCain’s need for more foreign trips, on ABC News.

“Neither has experience.” – Former Rep. Lee Hamilton (D-Ind.), Obama supporter and co-chairman of the Iraq Study Group on NBC News.

141