HOW MITT WINS IN WASHINGTON STATE
Will Washingtonians
elect a Republican? That was the question on many
conservative's minds when Dino Rossi, a relative
unknown, started his campaign against our three time
Attorney General. In a state with such a liberal bent
and well established democratic fundraising machine,
it's a given that if the G.O.P. wins it will only be by
a slim margin. Without a solidified base, fine-tuned
platform, and plenty of time to work on cross-over
voters, the task is nearly impossible. Conservatives in
Washington need to learn the lessons of Dino Rossi's
"stolen" election if we are to win the upcoming
presidential race.
1. Get the Crossover
Message Right
The Rossi campaign proved that
Republicans can win in Washington when the formula is
right. His background as a successful businessman, the
perception that he was an experienced politician without
Gregoire's Olympia baggage, and his pinpoint accuracy on
key messages made him a palatable choice in a
historically blue state.
Now substitute Gregoire
for Clinton and Rossi for Romney (the only candidate
that is working from the same winning template). As one
of the nation's most influential businessmen in the 80's
and 90's, Romney carries unbeatable business credentials
and clobbers Hillary on global trade and the economy.
Likewise, his gubernatorial performance qualifies him as
a political force while avoiding Clinton's toxic D.C.
insider reputation. And Romney's record stands
toe-to-toe with other candidates on limiting government,
reigning-in spending, and standing up to entrenched
power -- all of which will be keys to beating Clinton in
08. On social issues, Mitt is best positioned to draw a
stark comparison between family values and Hillary's
liberal ideology. He can actually turn gay marriage and
judicial activism into a galvanizing issue for
Washington's swing voters.
2. Provide a Clear
Choice
As Clinton moves to the center in the run
up to the election, any moderate who shares her values
is going to quickly be overshadowed in Washington state.
That being said, Clinton remains one of the most
polarizing figures in politics with 42% of Americans
saying they would never vote for her. The only hope to
beat Hillary in Washington is to field a candidate that
presents a clear choice and credibly oppose her on a
broad set of key issues (e.g. values issues, taxes,
entitlements).
As the presumptive Republican
frontrunner and natural choice of Washington moderates,
could McCain beat Clinton in the following areas?
- Beltway Insider
Washington voters have
watched wasteful spending and government
mismanagement damage our transportation, education,
and business climate locally. Voter confidence in
congress is at an all-time low, and a D.C. outsider
can gain a significant advantage in this election
cycle. A twenty-five year career politician like
McCain can't credibly distance himself from Senator
Clinton on this front.
- Social Issues
Washington state is on
the front lines in the debate over gay marriage.
Many see this year's addition of sexual orientation
to Washington’s anti-discrimination laws and 2004's
court wrangling over gay marriage as a sign that our
state will soon address the issue again. McCain
voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment and has
not differed significantly from Clinton on support
of same-sex marriage or stem cell research.
- War on Terrorism
Conventional wisdom
is that McCain can beat Hillary on security.
However, he would have to make national defense a
preeminent issue in Washington in order to steal
Clinton voters. After high profile opposition on the
interrogation bill and other Patriot Act provisions,
McCain may not have the edge that he once had among
security moms and the armed service personnel living
in the state.
- Job Growth and the Economy
A
pro-business conservative that appeals to
Washington’s large investor class can make inroads
against Hillary. The private sectors’ fear of her
policies on taxation and regulations could be
exploited by a fiscal conservative. However, McCain
consistently opposes the Bush tax cuts and has not
endeared himself to corporations during his tenure
in the senate.
- Ethics & Religion
While McCain has
scored high marks for his military service and
senate leadership, negative campaigning, political
stands, and other issues (e.g. Keating Five, Indian
Casinos) do not make him the obvious choice for
religious or values-based voters. When campaigning
against Hillary, ethics will only become a viable
issue if the opponent is clear of questions and
above the fray.
3. Break the Partisan Deadlock
Washington,
like most of the nation, is ready for someone who can
bridge the partisan divide. Mitt's recent tenure in the
bluest of blue states, indicates that he is a man that
can gain broad appeal and win in hostile territory.
Working with an overwhelmingly democratic legislature he
balanced a $3 billion deficit, enacted health care
reform without new taxes, and helped Massachusetts get
the highest department of homeland security rating in
disaster preparedness. Washington state is looking for
an executive that can break the deadlock and finally get
both parties working together on key issues such as:
- School Vouchers & Charter Schools
- Tax Simplification
- Health Insurance Reform
- Trade Deficit Reduction
- Homeland Security and Defense
- Immigration and Border Control
While any Republican faces a formidable challenge
from Washington state's entrenched Democratic power
structure, the campaign of Dino Rossi proved that a
cross-over conservative with the right credentials and
messages can win here. Mitt Romney is the only
presidential hopeful that can use the Rossi strategy to
beat Hillary in Washington state. |
THE CLEAR CHOICE FOR AMERICA IN 2008
When it comes time
to choose the next president of the United States, look
at the men and women that may be running at that time
and ask:
"Who can deal with the Jihadists?
Who can also make sure that we remain the world's
economic superpower, staying ahead competitively of
the Chinese and other Asian and European nations?
Who can make sure that we preserve the culture
and values that are America?
And who will finally reign in the excessive
spending in Washington?"
CBN News
The Almost Untold Story of Gov.
Mitt Romney
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT MITT
MIRS News:
O'Reilly Gives Early Edge to
Romney
"He's photogenic. He's articulate. He's got
money. New Hampshire likes him. This guy . . . you
watch him," O'Reilly said.
Fox News commentator Bill PoReilly told a
gathering here today that Massachusetts Gov. and former
Michigander Mitt Romney is his early favorite to win the
2008 presidential election over U.S. Sen. Hillary
Clinton (D-N.Y.) in what he sees now as the likely
head-to-head race.
WSJ Opinion Journal:
Romney Rides High
"He was impressive in explaining how he governed
as a conservative in Ted Kennedy's home state," said
columnist Robert Novak.
 FRC
officials say they invited Mr. McCain to speak, but he
declined. But another potential candidate benefited
greatly from showing up. Surprisingly, it was
Massachusetts' Gov. Mitt Romney, a Mormon with a Harvard
M.B.A who governs the nation's most liberal state. The
1,800 delegates applauded him frequently during his
Friday speech and gave him a standing ovation afterward.
Mr. Romney detailed his efforts to block court-imposed
same-sex marriage in the Bay State and noted that the
liberal Legislature has failed to place a
citizen-initiated referendum on the ballot. He
excoriated liberals for supporting democracy only when
they think that the outcome is a foregone conclusion
that favors their views. He certainly picked up fans at
the summit. "I believe Mitt Romney may be the only hope
social conservatives have in 2008," says Maggie
Gallagher, author of a book defending traditional
marriage.
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and his wife, Ann, talk
to local residents at a Democratic gathering at the home
of Douglas and Stella Scamman Sunday afternoon. Photo by
Lara Bricker
Associated Press:
Romney receives backing in Iowa for 2006 -- and
perhaps 2008
"I saw in Gov. Romney a leader that I could put
my trust in, somebody I thought would inspire other
Republicans to follow," he said.
Rants added:
"I will speak for myself; I hope he has plans beyond
2006."
Rants said he studied the potential Republican
candidates who have been flocking to his state before
deciding to back Romney. The speaker said he posed each
candidate a series of questions, some about politics,
others about specific issues.
Governor Mitt Romney addressed a Family Research Council
conference in Washington, D.C., yesterday as he stepped
up his courtship of the Republican Party's right wing.
(Boston Globe Photo / Jay Premack) |
