GOP hopes Chambliss will be part of firewall
By Savannah Morning News

ATLANTA - The chairman of the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee predicts U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss will be part of the firewall the party wants to build against Democratic control of the White House and both chambers of Congress.

U.S. Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., set a minimum on the number of seats the party must control, 41.

"The number that we get to is really, really important in the U.S. Senate," he said. "That's one of the reasons Saxby absolutely must hold his seat."

Democrats now have 49 seats, with two independents who vote with them.

Republicans hold 49 seats now, with 23 up for re-election this year, and five GOP senators retiring, giving away the incumbent advantage.

Democrats only have to defend 12 seats this year.

An eight-seat loss would be a very bad year for any party, even the party holding the White House at the end of a second term, when voters typically hunger for change. So, it's surprising for a party leader to speak in such frank terms about major losses.

Why would the number of seats matter if it's anything less than 51 and taking the majority, a circumstance Ensign describes as unlikely? By holding at least 41, the GOP would prevent the majority party from the 60 votes required to end filibusters and to push an unpopular bill to a vote on the floor through the cloture procedure.

"With 41 votes in the U.S. Senate, you can (1) block bad legislation, and (2) you can make the majority respect the minority's rights. And you can help craft good legislation," Ensign said. "If the Democrats were able to get to 60 votes - literally even if they get to 57-58 votes because they always seem to pick off a couple or three Republicans on a lot of votes - and if they win the White House ... they will be able to do pretty much whatever they want."

Ensign considers Chambliss a strong favorite to win re-election because of Georgia's Republican tilt - so strong, in fact, that the national party is counting on him to raise his own funds so the GOP can put its resources behind closer contests.


Battle looms

Betting against him are five Democrats - Dale Cardwell, Vernon Jones, Rand Knight, Josh Lanier and Jim Martin - all grappling for the nomination in the July 15 primary. They contend he's out of touch, a rubber stamp for the president and a pawn of special interests.

Chambliss said last week that he expects a tough contest no matter who the Democrats run against him. Plus, the impact of Barack Obama's candidacy will be hard to gauge.

"We don't have any idea what the Obama factor will be," Chambliss said.

Turnout will be high, Ensign said, but many of those added voters will show up to cast ballots against Obama. He said he's seen polls in various states where having Obama at the top of the ticket helps Democrats, while in other states it hurts.

Republicans, however, are struggling when no one's name - only a party label - is on the ballot. That's the so-called generic ballot. Ensign acknowledges the deficit but dodges a question about whether the GOP simply holds unpopular stances on pressing issues.

Instead, he blames rising gasoline and food prices, falling home prices, a war and mainly an extremely unpopular president, starting with the mishandling of the Hurricane Katrina recovery.

Recent good news in Iraq isn't getting through to the public, he said, so that isn't going to be a salvation for Republicans.


Funds can't help

Money won't be their salvation either this year.

Yet, being outspent by Democrats won't be fatal if Republicans have a good message and a sound strategy, Ensign said. He noted that he won his own Senate seat with less money than the incumbent he upset.

"It really matters more your message and how well you spend your money," he said, without elaborating on the contents of the message.

"The Democratic Senatorial (Campaign) Committee will be able to take more risks. They'll be able to take more shots in more places," he said. "So we'll have to target our money very carefully. What we won't do is we won't spend money in races that are going to win on their own, and we won't spend money on races that can't win."

That just leaves the races where the money could make a difference.


Unusual view

Ensign has an interesting perspective as a close friend with Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. He says Reid never expected Democrats to take the majority in the Senate during the last election.

Instead, in June of that year, Reid was predicting his party would lose a few seats, Ensign said.

So the chief strategist for Republican senators isn't pessimistic.

"It's kind of like a sporting event. You play the game because the outcome is not assured," he said.

Demoralized -

Democrats lose the presidency.

I really believe Republicans are coming around right now. Thanks to Hillary Clinton and some other conservative democrats, Americans are really questioning OBama and other liberals right now. The liberals aren't Cool (not that they ever were). Moderates and Conservatives are in these last few months. The numbers are going up across the board for Republicans, if you actually really look at them. Even President Bush is more popular right now than he has been in previous months. His European tour was a success, he got what he needed, his trip to Africa was a huge success, his trip to the Middle East is always a success.

So, Republicans have a lot to draw from.

Positives = Republicans
Negatives and Complaints = Democrats w/ no SOLUTIONS

__________________

Join Bush Country - PoliticalForum.com's Largest Member Community

"Because he's the hero America deserves,
but not the one it needs right now...
and so we'll hunt him, because he can take it.
Because he's not a hero. He's a silent guardian,
a watchful protector...A DARK KNIGHT."

no way. the republican brand just came off the worst run, putting up the weakest possible candidate vs. a money making machine in obama, and whether you accept it or not, you don't have to but its the truth, probably one of the most popular democratic nominee running in sometime if you count hype and votes.

It's ovahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

It is not a matter of being "demoralized." It's a matter of numbers. Republicans have 23 seats up for re-election this time and an additional 5 retiring. That makes 28 Republicans seats they have to defend. Democrats, however, this time have only 12 they need to defend. It's just simple mathematics and odds. Two years from this election year, it may be just the opposite, with lots more Dem seats up to defend. That's the way it goes.

So, because of the numbers Republicans WILL lose seats. There is NO WAY around it. So, it comes down to how many. Lessening the number they lose is their goal----so that they can at least keep the Dems from having a 60-vote veto proof Majority number. That would mean they, along with a Democrat President, could do anything they want to do. The ONLY thing to save us then from lots of very liberal politicies being enacted, would be the Blue-Dog Democrats----those conservative Democrats they ran and that won in conservative districts that gave them the Majority in the first place. IF those Blue Dogs don't vote for their what their conservative consitutents want, they will be ousted next time around. These are the simple FACTS of this election.

__________________
"This is a time for a national imperative not to fail in Iraq." Condoleeza Rice, January 11, 2007

The GOP brand has been destroyed by Bush...is the Republican strategy in congress any suprise?

Obama will win in November, and the Dems will expand their majority.

That's my prediction. We'll see on November 4th.

__________________

This assclown Obama doesn't have a freakin prayer of winning.

Any substance to back that up? Or just your propoganda opinion?

__________________

The Modern Republican Party: A Compendium of Catastrophe
by: James L.
Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 8:00 AM EDT
It's often been said that the Republican Party, from coast to coast, has run into some pretty bad luck this cycle. But I think it's very easy to forget just how much bad luck they've run into. To remedy that, the Swing State Project has put together the most comprehensive compendium of Republican hubris, (*)(*)(*)(*)ups and misfortunes you will find anywhere, ever. Call it the "Year of Living Catastrophically", if you will.
I hope you packed a snack, because this is gonna take a while.


2007
January 9: US Attorney Chris Christie declines to challenge Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ).
January 15: Colorado GOP Sen. Wayne Allard announces that he will retire at the end of his term, leaving his seat vulnerable to a takeover by Democrat Mark Udall.
January 15: The Wall Street Journal reports that Gov. Jim Gibbons (R-NV) is under federal investigation for bribery.
January 29: Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, considered a potential challenger to Sen. John Kerry, announces that he will play in 2008, denying the NRSC a star recruit.

February 23: GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann (MN-06) claims to know of a secret Iranian plan to partition Iraq and create a "a terrorist safe haven zone" called the "Iraq State of Islam" in order to launch attacks throughout the Middle East and on the United States. Bachmann is forced to recant her unsourced delusions days later.

March 6: On the same day that ex-US Attorney David Iglesias testifies before the House Judiciary Committee that he received intimidating phone calls from GOP Rep. Heather Wilson (NM-01) and Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM) prior to the 2006 mid-term elections about an investigation of a Democratic state senator, Wilson admits that she called Iglesias, but claims her intent was not to intimidate Iglesias.
March 6: One of the GOP's top choices to challenge freshman Democratic Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22), state Rep. Adam Hasner, declines to run. State Sen. Jeff A(*)(*)(*)(*)er also says "no".
March 15: GOP Rep. Jean Schmidt (OH-02) reportedly slips and falls in vomit in a Capitol Hill bathroom.
March 19: GOP Rep. Tim Walberg (MI-07) sticks his foot in his mouth by saying that most of Iraq is about as safe as Detroit or Chicago.
March 21: Ex-Rep. Scott McInnis, who was considered a credible candidate for statewide office, declines to seek the GOP nomination for the open Senate seat of retiring Colorado Sen. Wayne Allard.
March 31: The NRSC's dream candidate to challenge Dem Sen. Mark Pryor, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, says that he won't run for Senate.

April 10: Nevada GOP Gov. Jim Gibbons serves up a whopper to the local press when he says that he's "heard rumors" of Democrats paying the Wall Street Journal to write articles exposing his corruption.
April 18: The FBI raids the home of GOP Rep. John Doolittle (CA-04).
April 20: GOP Rep. Rick Renzi (AZ-01) steps down from the House Intelligence Committee after the FBI raids his family business.

May 5: Ex-Rep. Bob Schaffer bizarrely tries to un-announce his candidacy for the open Senate seat of retiring GOP Sen. Wayne Allard.
May 15: Boca Raton Mayor Steve Abrams, one of the NRCC's top choices to run against Democratic Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22), declines to run, joining a long list of local officeholders passing on the race.
May 29: The Anchorage Daily News reports that the FBI and a federal grand jury are investigating a remodeling project at the Girdwood home of Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) that was organized by the oil services company VECO.

July 1: The NRCC's much-hyped recruit against freshman Democrat Joe Courtney (CT-02), former Groton submarine base commander Sean Sullivan, discloses that he only raised "between $25,000 and $30,000" in his first three months of campaigning. After failing to pick up the pace significantly in the coming months, Sullivan becomes "persona non grata" to DC Republicans and the district quickly falls off the list of Republican targets.
July 5: Montana Rep. Denny Rehberg announces that he won't challenge Sen. Max Baucus in 2008, denying the NRSC their top choice in the state.
July 9: Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) admits to being a customer of the DC madam and enjoying the company of prostitutes in the past.
July 19: GOP Rep. Chris Shays (CT-04) loses his cool and "screams obscenities" at a Capitol police officer.
July 25: The Wall Street Journal reveals 18-term GOP Rep. Don Young (AK-AL) is under criminal investigation for his dealings with VECO, just like Ted Stevens.
July 26: GOP Rep. Ray LaHood (IL-1 announces his retirement, putting his R+5.5 district on the map for Democrats.
July 30: The FBI and the IRS raid the home of GOP Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK).

There's more - much, much more - below the fold.

August 15: GOP Rep. Deborah Pryce (OH-15) announces her retirement, putting her Dem-trending R+1.1 district at the top of the Democratic takeover list.
August 17: GOP Rep. Dennis Hastert (IL-14), the former Speaker of the House, announces his retirement at the end of his term. Hastert's decision puts his R+4.8 open seat on the DCCC's target map.
August 17: GOP state Sen. Steve Stivers and former Columbus Mayor Buck Rinehart both decline to run for the open seat of retiring Rep. Deborah Pryce (OH-15).
August 23: Embattled GOP Rep. Rick Renzi (AZ-01) announces his retirement, opening up his competitive district for a Democratic takeover.
August 23: GOP state Rep. Jim Hughes also declines to run for the open seat of retiring Rep. Deborah Pryce (OH-15).
August 27: It is revealed that GOP Sen. Larry Craig of Idaho was busted on charges of lewd behavior in a Minneapolis airport bathroom. Craig famously defends his conduct by saying that he tends to take a "wide stance" while using the toilet.
August 27: Two of the GOP's top choices to run for the open seat of retiring Rep. Deborah Pryce (OH-15), former state AG Jim Petro and former Columbus Mayor Greg Lashutka, both decline to run, leaving the GOP empty-handed in this tossup district for months.
August 31: Virginia GOP Sen. John Warner announces his retirement, putting his Senate seat in play for Democrats.
September 6: Former AZ state Senate President Ken Bennett, the GOP's top choice to replace retiring Rep. Rick Renzi (AZ-01), says that he won't run for Congress.
September 7: Nailed by the Chicago Tribune over various shady land deals, GOP Rep. Jerry Weller (IL-11) goes into hiding.
September 10: In an explosive closed-door meeting with House Minority Whip Roy Blunt and Rep. Eric Cantor, Minority Leader John Boehner sharply criticizes Tom Cole's performance and strategic decisions as NRCC chair. Word leaks out that Cole threatened to resign if Boehner forced any personnel changes at the NRCC.
September 13: DSCC Chair Chuck Schumer hits the mother lode when former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner announces that he'll run for the open seat of retiring GOP Sen. John Warner.
September 14: Former New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen announces that she will run against GOP Sen. John Sununu, giving the senator his stiffest possible challenge.
September 17: GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad (MN-03) decides that he's just not fit for life in the Minority and announces his retirement, putting his tossup R+0.5 seat into play.
September 21: GOP Rep. Jerry Weller (IL-11) announces his retirement, vaulting his R+1.1 suburban district to the top of the DCCC's targeted races list.
September 26: GOP Rep. Terry Everett (AL-02) announces his retirement, putting his conservative R+13.2 district on the target map for Democrats.
September 30: Retiring GOP Rep. Ray LaHood (IL-1 predicts the future: "The Democrats will continue to be the majority party in the House and Senate and Hillary Clinton will make history by being the first woman president."



to be continued

__________________
"I think the deregulation was probably helpful to the growth of our economy."
-Sen. John McCain 09/22/2008

continuation

October 3: The GOP's top choice to run for the seat of retiring Rep. Jerry Weller (IL-11), state Sen. Christine Radogno, declines to run.
October 4: Longtime New Mexico Sen. Pete Domenici announces his retirement, giving Democrats another excellent Senate pick-up opportunity.
October 5: GOP Rep. Heather Wilson (NM-01) jumps into the race to replace Domenici, opening up her Dem-leaning D+2.4 seat.
October 11: GOP Rep. Ralph Regula (OH-16) announces his retirement, putting his Dem-trending R+3.6 near the top of the DCCC's target list.
October 13: Garbage magnate James Galante is charged with violating Connecticut state campaign finance laws for suspicious donations to various PACs, including one controlled by GOP state Sen. David Cappiello, who is running for congress against freshman Democratic Rep. Chris Murphy (CT-05).
October 14: GOP Rep. Dave Hobson (OH-07) announces his retirement, putting his R+6 seat on the table for Democrats.
October 16: GOP Rep. Steve Pearce (NM-02) announces that he will run against Heather Wilson for the Senate nomination to succeed Pete Domenici, setting up the GOP for a bruising primary and putting his R+5.7 open seat into play.
October 19: After his contracting relationship with Blackwater and past run-ins with the law gained scrutiny in the press, IN-02 GOP candidate Chris Minor ends his campaign against frosh Dem Rep. Joe Donnelly, leaving the GOP empty-handed once again.
October 22: A spokesman for South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds says that he has no plans to challenge Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson, denying the NRSC their most coveted recruit in the state.
October 23: A sign of the times? The entire membership of the all-Republican governing body of the swing town of Lyndhurst, New Jersey switch from Republican to Democrat. In addition, nearly 60% of Lyndhurst's Republican County Committee defect to the Democratic Party.
October 25: The GOP's great "moderate" hope of retaining the seat of retiring Virginia Sen. John Warner, Rep. Tom Davis, drops out of the race after getting snubbed by the VA GOP. The news leaves Republicans hobbled with unpopular former Gov. Jim Gilmore as their leading candidate.

November 6: The Hill writes that "a recruiting surge anticipated by the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) in recent weeks has yet to take shape as promised."
November 7: Democrat Steve Beshear crushes incumbent Kentucky Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher in a landslide.
November 7: Democrats in Virginia and Mississippi capture control of their state Senates, and Virginia Dems gain more ground in the House of Delegates, as well.
November 8: 26 year-old GOP "wunderkind" Aaron Schock, who's running to succeed retiring Republican Ray LaHood (IL-1, announces a downright insane plan to sell nuclear weapons to Taiwan in order to coerce China to fall in line with American policy towards Iran.
November 9: GOP Rep. Jim Saxton (NJ-03) announces his retirement from the House, leaving Democratic state Sen. John Adler well-poised to capture this D+3 open seat.
November 10: Democrat Tom Udall announces that he's definitely running for the seat of retiring GOP Sen. Pete Domenici. Short of Gov. Bill Richardson, Udall is the strongest possible Democratic candidate and his entry immediately gives the Democrats the upper hand in this race.
November 19: GOP Rep. Mike Ferguson (NJ-07) makes a surprise retirement announcement, moving this competitive district into the tossup column.
November 20: The GOP's top three choices to run for the open seat left behind by retiring Rep. Mike Ferguson (NJ-07) -- Jon Bramnick, Bob Franks, and Tom Kean, Jr. -- all pass on the race.
November 20: Wealthy businessman Andrew Saul, who had been posting impressive fundraising numbers in his race against Democratic Rep. John Hall (NY-19), shocks the political world by abruptly dropping out of the race. The GOP is left without a viable candidate to challenge the freshman Hall.
November 20: Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood, a media-savvy police chief with loads of name recognition, declines to challenge freshman Democrat Joe Sestak (PA-07).
November 26: Mississippi GOP Sen. Trent Lott announces that he will resign from Congress by the end of the year, putting his Senate seat in play and triggering a series of downballot shuffles that eventually put a House district in play.
November 26: GOP Rep. Dennis Hastert (IL-14), the immediate past Speaker of the House, resigns from Congress, setting up a special election for early 2008. The vacancy puts this historically Republican R+4.8 district in play.
November 29: Well-liked GOP state Sen. Diane Allen declines to run for the open seat of retiring Rep. Jim Saxton (NJ-03) after not being able to secure financial assurances from the cash-strapped NRCC.
November 29: Former Assemblyman Howard Mills says that he won't challenge freshman Democratic Rep. John Hall (NY-19).

December 7: GOP Rep. Jim McCrery (LA-04) announces his retirement, putting this R+6.5 district into play.
December 8: Ex-GOP Rep. Charles Taylor finally makes up his mind and announces that he won't challenge freshman Rep. Heath Shuler (NC-11) in a rematch. Several other high-profile Republican candidates, kept out of the race by Taylor's indecision, ultimately decline to enter.
December 11: The NRCC gets successfully head-faked in two special elections in deeply red districts (OH-05 and VA-01) by the DCCC, and spends over $500,000 (20% of the committee's cash-on-hand) defending the two seats. NRCC Chair Tom Cole is later attacked for wasting scarce resources.
December 11: Iraq Vet and surgeon Wayne Mosley declines to challenge Democratic Rep. John Barrow (GA-12).
December 31: Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour taps Rep. Roger Wicker (MS-01) to fill the open seat left behind by retired Sen. Trent Lott, opening up his R+10 House district for a Democratic takeover.

to be continued

__________________
"I think the deregulation was probably helpful to the growth of our economy."
-Sen. John McCain 09/22/2008