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NRCC’s Cole Urges “Bold” Agendas, Standing Close to McCain

May 15, 2008 — Be bold, be bold, but not too bold, Mr. Fox in an old English fairy tale.

US Rep. Tom Cole (OK), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), acknowledging that “a large segment of the American people doesn’t have confidence” in the GOP, urged his party’s candidates for Congress to put forth a bold agenda for change. In a telephone conference call with reporters today, he cited the example of presumptive GOP nominee John McCain for establishing his own identity and running substantially ahead of a generic Republican in opinion polls. Cole said voters like candidates “who are bold, take strong positions, and are honest with the American people,” qualities he associated with McCain. He urged Republican congressional candidates -- incumbents and challengers alike -- to run with and to emulate their presidential nominee.

Cole, however, did not urge any major change in policies by either the White House or Republicans in Congress. Specifically, he did not agree that the President should be more receptive to Democratic proposals. “I don’t think the President should be blackmailed into signing legislation” he does not believe is in the nation’s best interest. He also stated that the people did not disagree with Republican values, but there was “a loss of confidence in the American people that we will do what we say we will do.”

As evidence of the continued public acceptance of Republican policies, the NRCC chairman noted that in the last two special elections. Republicans face Democratic candidates who adopt conservative policies, such as opposing abortion and gun control. Commenting on newly elected freshmen US Reps. Don Cazayoux (D-LA) and Travis Childers (D-MS), Cole said, “We could have welcomed them into the Republican conference with open arms.” He added that Democratic candidates would not find this an easy approach in the fall; “Running away from your party gets tougher to do in a national election.” He did not acknowledge, however, the populist economic themes used by both Democratic winners, themes that fit nicely with their national party’s policies.

Cole did not disavow the strategy of tying Democratic nominees to Barack Obama, their party’s likely presidential candidate, and his liberal positions, an approach he advocated last month. But after this strategy failed to produce a winner in special elections in both Louisiana 6 (Baton Rouge, etc.) and Mississippi 1 (Tupelo, etc.), he did say that such attacks were no substitute for advocating one’s own agenda. He also said that Obama was “still liberal and inexperienced,” indicating such themes would be one arrow in the GOP’s campaign quiver this fall.

Cole pointed out several factors that could help Republican congressional candidates during the fall elections. First, the Democrats “have been able to dominate the media” because of the pro-longed contest between Obama and Hillary Clinton. “The great debate after the convention should help us,” he said. And he blasted the Democratic congress for its failure to enact meaningful legislation, comparing it negatively with the record of the Republican congress during Bill Clinton’s presidency.

When asked what caused some many voters to lose confidence in the Republican Party, Cole cited “challenging economic times and a challenging but important war.” He added, when you govern for as long as we’ve governed -- 12 years in the House -- you make some tough decisions.”