Republican Party

The dust has barely settled on the 2008 elections -- in fact, in a few Senate and House contests, ballots are still being counted -- but possible presidential contenders are already building foundations they will need to put them ahead of the pack in time for the 2012 Iowa caucuses, a scant 38 months away. For Republicans, the early key to success is holding a governorship, and at least half a dozen chief executives are expected to at least consider a bid for president.

As the Republican Party reels from a second straight electoral drubbing, the surviving office-holders and remaining opinion leaders are taking solace in their belief that the country remains fundamentally a center-right nation and therefore their party has a path back to victory.
  But that assumption is fundamentally troublesome. Evidence suggests voters have made a clear choice in turbid economic times and have placed as priorities issues that overwhelmingly favor Democrats. Republicans, therefore, will have to re-evaluate the issues on which their party needs to focus while reshaping their message on other issues. It is a prospect few in the party are excited about.

Former Gov. Bill Weld said Monday that the national Republican Party is "playing on a smaller field" and that he may have been more inclined to endorse Republican presidential nominee John McCain had he selected fellow former Bay State Gov. Mitt Romney as his running mate.

Weld, who endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama last week, appeared on MSNBC's Morning Joe Monday morning, shortly after Romney also appeared on the show. Weld endorsed Romney during his presidential run this year and was immediately asked if he thought McCain should have tapped Romney as his running mate.

"Well that would have been a running start," Weld said. "I think what Mitt Romney and Barack Obama have in common, and not too many people would see a common thread there, I think they both process a lot of new information and respond to conditions on the ground."

"Of course the thing I loved about Gov. Romney is he knows so much about the economy," he added.

U.S. Sen. John Kerry accused his challenger Jeff Beatty on Wednesday of relying on personal attacks in his campaign and failing to offer any positive policy ideas.

In a post on The Hill's Congress Blog, Kerry particularly criticized Beatty for his debate performance Monday night.

"In a debate that should have honored Massachusetts by addressing the issues that affect us most, my opponent was unable to offer one constructive plan to solve our state's and nation's pressing issues," the Boston Democrat wrote. "No plan for health care. No solution for an ailing economy. No strategy for Iraq. Beatty provided nothing but the empty, hateful rhetoric typical of a candidate incapable of providing answers or solutions."

Kerry also highlighted the debates he held with former Gov. Bill Weld in their 1996 Senate race as an example of how Senate debate should be conducted.

MINNEAPOLIS - Republicans have taken heat for not having enough female office holders, but the Ohio party said its working to recruit female candidates and has a few rising women already in its ranks.

State Auditor Mary Taylor, the only female statewide elected official, said that Gov. Sarah Palin's (R-Alaska) vice presidential nomination helps the party make its case to women they should run for office.

"I think that obviously having a position where potentially serving in the second highest office in the country gives us a role model to point to when we're trying to recruit women candidates," Taylor said.

State and national leaders are reacting to the passing of U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones.

Gov. Ted Strickland: 

“Frances and I are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Congresswomen Stephanie Tubbs Jones.  We served together in the Congress, where I witnessed her passionate and selfless commitment to her constituents.  I am grateful for the opportunity to have called Stephanie my colleague, and I am proud to have called her my friend.  Our friendship deepened during the long primary season as we worked together for Senator Clinton.  Stephanie was a strong, courageous and compassionate advocate for the poor and vulnerable.  Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and the people of Ohio’s 11th Congressional District during this difficult time.”

Ohio Republican Party chairman Bob Bennett:

"I was shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden loss of Stephanie Tubbs Jones. I've known Stephanie for more than 25 years, and though we held different political views I always respected her and considered her to be one of Ohio's most admired public servants. On behalf of the Ohio Republican Party I wish to express our deepest sympathy to Stephanie's family."

John McCain, the Ohio Republican Party and social-conservative groups all say they will use the issue of abortion to rally conservatives to support McCain’s presidential bid in Ohio.

By arguing that the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama is a radical on the other side of the issue and that his election would set back the pro-life movement 30 years, the campaign and independent groups hope to engage “values voters” who have not yet been a major force in this campaign.

The ORP estimates that “values voters” constitute one-third of its supporters and believes that abortion is critical to bringing together and energizing they and many other conservative voters.

The strategy of targeting Obama on abortion was made plain by McCain himself two months ago during a campaign visit to Ohio.

With three months until Election Day, the Ohio Democratic Party doesn't have an official effort to court uncommitted religious and values voters, despite receiving proposals last year from three veteran Democratic operatives.

The party has caucuses and outreach programs for various constituencies, including women, veterans, families, Jews, Asian-Americans, but not for Christians specifically.

Republicans hired staffers last week to do outreach among religious constituencies.

John Kasich: JohnKasich.comEven though conservative opinion leaders are saying he should be on the short list, John Kasich said he isn't paying a lot of attention to presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain's search for a vice president.

In an interview with PolitickerOH.com, Kasich said there are no behind-the-scenes discussions with the McCain campaign.

"There's no secret meetings, there's no secret handshakes, there's nothing like that," Kasich said.

Kasich, the former U.S. representative from Columbus, said he hasn't paid attention to major mentions of him as a VP pick from the Wall Street Journal, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) and members of The National Review - all of whom recently have said Kasich would be a solid running mate for McCain.

President Bush: Politicker PhotoPresident Bush will come to Ohio tomorrow to raise $570,000 for the Republican Congressional efforts and drive the GOP's energy message.

Bush is expected to touch down in Cleveland tomorrow afternoon, following an 11 a.m. singing of U.S. Rep. Deb Pryce’s (R-Columbus) pediatric cancer bill in the Oval Office.

Bush’s primary message of the day will be on energy, which he’ll deliver from the Lincoln Electric Company. Lincoln is a manufacturer of heavy equipment used predominately in oil refiners, pipelines and refineries.

“He’s going to tour Lincoln Electric and speak to their employees about the importance of their work to American’s energy security,” said White House spokesperson Trey Bohn.  

Afterward Bush will attend a private fundraiser in Gates Mills with 110 attendees that will raise about $570,000 for the Congressional Trust, according to a Republican National Committee official. The trust is a joint-fundraising committee between the RNC and the National Republican Congressional Committee that funds the GOP's coordinated campaign for Congressional candidates, the official said.

Bush will also award the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Linda Campbell upon arrival in Cleveland. Campbell won the award for her efforts to raise $100,000 for breast cancer programs.