Critical Mass

How the GOP Can Defend Its Majority

By Guy Benson

The prevailing conventional wisdom in Washington informs us that Republicans don’t stand a chance in the upcoming Congressional elections. It suggests that the country is mired in high oil prices, war, and is generally headed in the wrong direction. Poll after poll indicates that Americans are fed up with their leadership, slapping President Bush with record-low approval ratings—and ranking Congress even lower. This widespread exasperation, we’re told, will take its toll on the party in power, and there’s little that can be done to turn the tide.

I, for one, believe that the election is too far off to write any political obituaries quite yet, and that a Republican party armed with a comprehensive agenda could hold the line, or perhaps even gain seats, come November. This is not to say that such a feat will be easy. It won’t. But Republicans have one major advantage in the upcoming political fight that must not be underestimated: An opposition party wholly devoid of ideas, principles, and dynamic leaders. The Democrats’ 2006 campaign platform is virtually non-existent. After all, who really needs ideas when a litany of juvenile taunts will suffice? “Culture of corruption!” they scream, downplaying their own dirty laundry all the while – apparently unbothered by their own duplicity. “Bush is Incompetent!” they repeatedly bellow, yet prove themselves incapable of even establishing their own consistent talking points. “We can do better!” they insist—but how? They offer no roadmap to change; only empty slogans, and relentless attacks on their competition.

Yet if President Bush, Senator Frist, and Representative Boehner are truly serious about maintaining Republican control of both Congressional chambers, they cannot merely cross their fingers and hope that Democrats will dig their own grave. The American people are craving responsible leadership, and Republicans need to prove that they deserve to retain their majority. Here’s how I believe they can do just that:

1) Take the lead on meaningful immigration reform: Republicans must emphasize the need for strict border enforcement while constantly highlighting the distinction between legal and illegal immigrants. They should sponsor legislation that emphasizes securing our southern border first, and dealing with the millions of illegal aliens already living here only after we’ve stopped the bleeding. It would be helpful to express tentative support for a guest worker program, but make effective border enforcement a pre-requisite for additional reforms.

2) Defend the war in Iraq. It seems that far too many politicians who were once avid supporters of the Iraq policy have slunk into the artificial safety of silence on this issue. Winning the peace in Iraq is crucial to both our national security and to our government’s credibility in the eyes of other outlaw regimes. President Bush’s personal integrity is also on the line, and Republicans must rally behind him and remind the American people of why we were right to go into Iraq. They can begin by pointing out the mounting evidence against Saddam’s regime vis-à-vis illegal weapons programs and ties to terrorism. The mainstream press isn’t reporting information that may help vindicate the president, so it’s critical for conservatives to counter the lies and demagoguery the Left has been peddling for the last two years.

In addition, if we’re to believe certain reports, the world may hear the verdict in Hussein’s crimes against humanity trial in early August, which would present a natural opportunity to remind the public that removing him from power was sound policy. It also goes without saying that supporters of the war must take it upon themselves to discuss the positive developments in Iraq because the media have once again shown themselves to be totally derelict in their duty to report the truth.

3) Challenge Democrats head-on regarding the terrorist surveillance program about which they’ve been moaning. Senator Russ Feingold – a Democratic Presidential hopeful – has suggested censuring the president over the program, which many Democrats have called illegal. Force them to actually explain their opposition, rather than just professing “grave concerns” about it. If monitoring terrorists’ phone calls troubles them so deeply, make them tell us why, and what alternative they propose that will keep our citizens safer. They can’t.

We heard from Osama bin Laden over the weekend. Iran’s rhetoric is increasingly bellicose. The world is a dangerous place, and Democrats’ propensity to place partisanship over security makes them unworthy of the responsibility of protecting the American people at this point in our history.

4) Forge ahead with President Bush’s judicial appointments in the Senate. Terrance Boyle and Brett Kavanaugh, to name a few, are qualified jurists whose nominations are being unfairly blocked for purely political reasons. Force Democrats to deploy Teddy Kennedy and Chuck Schumer to hold annoying daily press conferences aimed at placating the NARAL crowd. Let them once again attempt (and fail) to rationalize their party’s bald-faced obstruction. Their hysterical rhetoric will remind the public that Liberals are committed to promoting an activist judiciary, intent on upholding the unmitigated “right” to abortion-on-demand, and changing the definition of marriage. The appointment of responsible conservatives to our nation’s courts may end up being one of this president’s greatest legacies.

5) Deflect some of the inevitable criticism over rising gas prices by floating the prospect of drilling in Alaska. Admittedly, this would be pure political theater because any responsible economist will tell you that no single actor (i.e. the President) can drastically affect the international supply and demand patterns for a product like crude oil, but Americans will demand answers nonetheless. If Democrats can convince the public that they’re being gouged at the pump, and that the Republican majority is doing nothing to “stop it,” the GOP will pay at the polls. By raising the ANWR project again, Republicans may be able to turn the tables by making Democrats squirm a bit. If Republicans are offering a solution to increase our domestic oil supply, Democrats will look silly and out-of-touch when they rush to the defense of Alaska’s beleaguered caribou population. No matter what the strategy, Republicans simply cannot ignore this issue. If Americans are preoccupied with high gas prices, attempts to (rightfully) talk up the booming economy will fall on deaf ears.

Over the last six years, Republicans have fought valiantly to establish a majority in Washington. Meanwhile, the Democrats have become the party of “no,” and do not represent a serious alternative. However, their incessant attacks against this White House – which are frequently aided by an agenda-driven press – have landed a few body blows, and Republicans need to fight back. Now is not the time to get lazy and comfortable inside the Beltway. Politicians who do so often find themselves on the outside looking in on Election Day.