Politicians As Political Strategists

The latest politician to attempt to double as a political strategist is Lindsey Graham, according to this Robert Novak column. Sen. Graham's quotes tell us why we've got such weenies in the Senate.

His fellow Republicans remind him of a tournament golfer who ignores the leader board and thinks he is ahead going into the 17th and 18th holes, when he really is trailing. "It's like we think we'll get by with pars on the last two holes when we really need birdies," Graham told me. He referred to the 2006 midterm election, where he sees a real danger of Republicans losing control of both houses in Congress for the first time since the 1992 elections. Such foreboding reflects Graham's fear that demographic changes in America will extend beyond this year's elections and return the Republican Party to minority status.

That's such utter nonsense that it sounds more like a liberal political strategist's propaganda. Unlike Sen. Graham, I don't fear a Democratic takeover of either the House or Senate because GOP voters won't let them win. Sen. Graham's thinking is typical inside-the-Beltway thinking. That's a fatal flaw to start with. Here's why:

GOP activists like me don't like the fiscal insanity of the Republican Congress but I hate the thought of Democrats controlling the purse strings even more. I also hate the thought of a Chairman Leahy of the Senate Judiciary Committee, a Chairman John Conyers of the House Judiciary Committee and a House Majority Leader Murtha and Speaker Pelosi.

GOP activists like me know what's at stake and we're working hard to keep Republican majorities in the House and Senate. What's at stake is the difference between confirming a Chief Justice Roberts and a Justice O'Connor. Another potential difference is whether a Republican congress will keep funding the war in Iraq or whether a Democratic majority would cut off funding that war. Yet another difference is whether a Republican majority would keep taxes low or whether a Democratic majority would let some of the tax cuts lapse, sending the economy into a slowdown or recession.

Sen. Graham would be better off realizing that conservatism is the dominant force in American politics today. It isn't an accident that he's part of the majority party. It isn't because we believe in whatever the latest opinion polls say is popular. It's because we believe in the greatness of America's people when government gets out of our way. It's because we're steadfast and vigilant in defending our homeland from terrorists. It's because we believe that the Constitution means what the Constitution says, not what 5 liberal idiots want it to say.

Six months ago, GOP activists were dispirited. No more. John Murtha's 'conviction' of the Haditha Marines was a clarion call, a call to arms if you will. At that moment, the people who were upset with the immigration bill and the lack of fiscal sanity by Republicans took a back seat. Those issues didn't disappear but they shrunk in priority.

Talking with fellow activists this weekend, I've heard them talking with renewed vigor and even excitement for winning every race. More importantly, (a) they want to win for all the right reasons and (b) they're willing to work hard day and night to get that goal accomplished. The Agenda Media's mantra of a "dispirited Republican base" is ancient history, in no small part due to John Murtha's unending diatribe and Chuck Schumer's 'photo op only' campaign strategy for his candidates, with Maria Cantwell and Amy Klobuchar being prime examples of that mismanagement.

To be fair to Sen. Graham, I definitely agree with him on this issue:

Graham's remedy to avert both short-term and long-term disaster stresses Republicans returning to fiscal integrity by seriously cutting spending, a goal to which his GOP colleagues give lip service.

It's long past time to put that belief into practice. Sen. Graham would find activists giving him their enthusiastic support for a return to fiscal integrity.

Here's another section to Novak's column that I couldn't disagree more with:

Jim Talent trails in Missouri.

I'll bet he isn't anymore due to Claire McCaskill's wealthy husband's ethics woes.

Mike DeWine is threatened by a noxious Republican atmosphere in Ohio.

Mr. Novak should read the polls more often. DeWine's leading Sherrod Brown by 7 points.

Lincoln Chafee is endangered in Democratic Rhode Island.

Personally, I agree with Hugh Hewitt in wishing for Sen. Chafee's political extinction. Good riddance.

Jon Kyl faces a surprisingly tough race in Arizona.

Again, Mr. Novak should acquaint himself with recent polling showing Kyl's lead in double digits. That race is essentially over.

Despite excellent candidates in Minnesota and Washington state, no Republican challenging for a Democratic-held Senate seat is in the lead.

Novak's assessment is correct as far as it goes. Unfortunately, it doesn't state that Maria Cantwell's ever-shrinking lead against Mike McGavick. What started as Cantwell leading by double digits is now a 4 point race in recent polling. She's following the Schumer 'photo op' campaign strategy. McGavick is getting out meeting people, getting to know them.

Mark Kennedy is using the same strategy to win over new GOP voters here in Minnesota. Mr. Novak should read this KvM post:

2) Reports indicate that the Hmong soccer tourney this weekend was both good and bad for the 2 major Senate candidates.

Mark Kennedy stole the show. He was welcomed with open arms by the Hmong leadership. He was given a glowing introduction, and by all accounts, won support from most if not all of the crowd, which was evident by the Kennedy tent being overwhelmed with people snagging up sports schedules and stickers. He even received the support of General Vang Pao, which bodes extremely well for Kennedy picking up huge support from the entire Hmong community in Minnesota.

Some of you might remember that the late Sen. Paul Wellstone used to own this constituency. The late Senator had enormous stature with the Hmong, and one would think Klobuchar would have capitalized on that. But Klobuchar must have simply expected show up, and be given their support with out earning it. Maybe she took them for granted. But what she failed to realize is that Kennedy has been paying special attention to several immigrant communities. He spends countless hours visiting with them, listening, and addressing their concerns. Klobuchar seemed to expect to be handed the support from the Hmong community, simply for the fact she shared the same party affiliation as Senator Wellstone. The thought of having to get out and earn their support must never have crossed her mind.

Amy Klobuhcar didn't even have a campaign presence of any significance. And when she found out that Mark Kennedy was speaking, she demanded to be included but was rude, noticeably flustered, and not well-received.

If that's an indication of the Klobuchar campaign's strategy, and I think it is, then this is a campaign that isn't ready for primetime. In fact, it isn't even close.

Thus, a six-seat takeover capturing the Senate is possible.

It used to be, Bob. Not anymore.

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Posted Monday, July 10, 2006 1:20 PM

June 2006 Posts

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