Republicans See Big Chance but Worry They Could Waste It

[onehandle]

Source: New York Times

WASHINGTON — Republicans remain confident of making big gains in the fall elections, but as the midterm campaign begins in earnest, they face a series of challenges that could keep the party from fully capitalizing on an electorate clamoring for change in Washington.

There are growing concerns among Republicans about the party’s get-out-the-vote operation and whether it can translate their advantage over Democrats in grass-roots enthusiasm into turnout on Election Day. They are also still trying to get a fix on how to run against President Obama, who, polls suggest, remains relatively well-liked by voters, even as support for his agenda has waned.

Republicans are working to find a balance between simply running against Democrats and promoting a specific alternative agenda. And they are struggling with how to integrate the passions of the Tea Party movement — with its anti-government ideology, anti-incumbent bent and often-rough political edges — into the Republican Party apparatus.

This week, House Republicans are beginning a program they call “America Speaking Out.” Their message is that lawmakers will be listening to their supporters over the summer, not simply dictating an agenda. In the fall, Republican leaders said, they plan to turn the ideas into specific policy proposals for the next Congress.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/24/us/politics/24repubs.html

[RandomThoughts]

1. The problem is only the government

When it does not work as an advocate for most of society.

And even then the problem is not government but for what it advocates for when in that state.

[truthisfreedom]

2. I appreciate the Tea Party

Only for the fact that they've fractured and confused the republicans.

[Ramulux]

3. This is hilarious

We dont actually have any ideas or principles so can you just give us yours? - House Republicans

[opihimoimoi]

4. TOO FRIGGEN LATE...the R's have already wasted their op to lead the Nation

Under Bush they have squandered their chance to show off real leadership....

instead we got the NEED FOR GREED shoved in our faces,,,,arrogantly and without empathy...

[aquart]

5. They're going to have policy proposals IN THE FALL?

Note: they only plan to listen to "SUPPORTERS" who are the people who already agree with them.

Can't wait to see their ideas.

[DesertDiamond]

6. Breaking News: Titanic Passengers Confident Ship Really Won't Sink.

[BumRushDaShow]

7. Translation:

Our original Frankenstein teabagger astroturf creation has turned on us so we need to try again with Teabagger 2.0™.

[tcaudilllg]

8. Funny how the media types haven't figured out that the people have turned on them!

Yeah you can only make six figure salaries for so long while there are people just as qualified as you living in tent cities. In difficult times, being a celeb is hardly justifiable. ...Although, it's not like the celebs don't have a leg up to success that the rest of us never will, so maybe celebrity culture is itself under threat. Nonetheless, we can expect the talking heads and their masters to try to drill us one way or the other.