Richard Tafoya
Apr 28th, 2009, 01:18 AM
USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-04-27-gop_N.htm
They have searched for direction and hunted for leadership, but what Republicans ultimately hope to find is the strategy that can counter a popular Democratic president.
As President Obama rounds his first 100 days in office this week, many Republicans acknowledge they have endured a rocky transition to life without control of the White House. But upcoming debates in Congress on health care and climate change could provide the GOP with an opportunity to reinvent itself as a taxpayer advocate.
...
The message appears to be working. Asked to name the worst thing Obama has done as president, three in 10 named big spending and bailout plans in a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll last week.
Hammering away at Obama also carries risks, the same poll showed. More than half — 56% — said Republicans have not made a sincere effort to work with him.
"If you had to give a title to the past 100 days, it's 'finding their feet,' " Jack Pitney, a government professor at Claremont McKenna College in California, said of the Republicans. "They're struggling up. They're not on the mat, but they're not in full punching stance, either."
...
"More people are familiar with Bo the Portuguese water dog then they are with the Republican budget alternative," said Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., referring to Obama's dog. "When you control the bully pulpit, you can control most of the message."
Ryan, the highest-ranking Republican on the House Budget Committee, said the GOP is gaining in the message war. "We're finding our voice," he said. "Sooner or later the American people are going to know that we actually stand for something."
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-04-27-gop_N.htm
They have searched for direction and hunted for leadership, but what Republicans ultimately hope to find is the strategy that can counter a popular Democratic president.
As President Obama rounds his first 100 days in office this week, many Republicans acknowledge they have endured a rocky transition to life without control of the White House. But upcoming debates in Congress on health care and climate change could provide the GOP with an opportunity to reinvent itself as a taxpayer advocate.
...
The message appears to be working. Asked to name the worst thing Obama has done as president, three in 10 named big spending and bailout plans in a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll last week.
Hammering away at Obama also carries risks, the same poll showed. More than half — 56% — said Republicans have not made a sincere effort to work with him.
"If you had to give a title to the past 100 days, it's 'finding their feet,' " Jack Pitney, a government professor at Claremont McKenna College in California, said of the Republicans. "They're struggling up. They're not on the mat, but they're not in full punching stance, either."
...
"More people are familiar with Bo the Portuguese water dog then they are with the Republican budget alternative," said Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., referring to Obama's dog. "When you control the bully pulpit, you can control most of the message."
Ryan, the highest-ranking Republican on the House Budget Committee, said the GOP is gaining in the message war. "We're finding our voice," he said. "Sooner or later the American people are going to know that we actually stand for something."