Politico let GOP strategist repeat claim that Dems won by mimicking Republicans
In a January 29 Politico article about House Democrats' strategy to retain seats gained in the 2006 midterms, National Republican Congressional Committee communications director Jessica Boulanger claimed, "A significant number of [Democratic] candidates ran as 'Republicans' to get elected." But as Media Matters for America has documented (here, here, here, and here), the Democratic candidates who won Republican-held seats in the November 7, 2006, elections backed central issues in the Democratic platform -- raising the minimum wage, changing course in Iraq, and opposing any effort to privatize Social Security. They also largely agree on the most contentious social issues; all but two of the 30 newly elected Democrats support embryonic stem cell research and only five describe themselves as "pro-life" on the issue of abortion. The Politico reported Boulanger's quote unchallenged.
In its article, The Politico noted that Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairman Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) plans to "ask more of the incumbents facing tough re-election contests, exacting new standards for grass-roots organizing and fundraising. ... The new requirements are especially important for members in red states where they can't rely on a Democratic presidential campaign." The Politico then quoted Boulanger: "A significant number of his candidates ran as 'Republicans' to get elected." Boulanger continued, "If they vote like Republicans, the Democrats implode in Washington, D.C. If they vote like Democrats, their candidacies implode back home," adding "It's a win-win."
According to a March 15, 2005, article in The Hill, Boulanger "has worked for [former House Majority Leader Tom] DeLay [R-TX] and GOP Conference Chairwoman Deborah Pryce (Ohio)" as well as House Republican whip Roy Blunt (R-MO).
From the January 29 article in The Politico:
As in the 100 Hours agenda, vulnerable Democrats will enjoy leadership roles with the upcoming legislation, Van Hollen said, including the chance to sponsor amendments in committee, or on the floor.
The new minority Republicans, though, made it clear that Van Hollen will have his hands full.
"A significant number of his candidates ran as 'Republicans' to get elected," said Jessica Boulanger, communications director at the National Republican Congressional Committee. "If they vote like Republicans, the Democrats implode in Washington, D.C. If they vote like Democrats, their candidacies implode back home."
"It's a win-win," she concluded.
The Democrats are already such Woossies that they run as moderates, but as Republicans? I've never heard that one before.
Wookiees?
Heh...let the Wookie win.
These 'strategists' just love making crap up...I remember the last election when the republicant's took over all parts of Congress and the bobble-head, chatter-mouth strategists kept throwing around the term 'they won because of VALUES...' They just made up a one word reason as to why millions of people voted republican't...And, well, the irony NOW is people probably DID vote on values this time around because the republicant's seemed to have slipped into Dante's circles of hell...
Now wait. Which is it? First, we were "intolerant" of those with conservative ideas because Connecticut Democrats dumped Lieberman for a true Democrat. Now it turns out we ran as Republicans?
"It's a win-win," she concluded.
Apparently not to the GOPigs, since they got their collective arses handed to them in November.
LOL. This is yet another weak and pathetic attempt for the right-wing filth to refuse defeat to Democrats. First they claimed that conservatism didn't lose, because the Democrats that got elected are "conservative". LOL!!!!! Yeah, in 6+ years the words "Conservative Democrat" have NEVER appeared together. But, now the factually challenged and weakened (and dying) conservative movement attempts to label AND insult Democrats with a "conservative" tag. Now that the "Conservative Democrat" label failed [as usual for the GOPigs], they resort to claiming this new and utter non-sense. ROFL!!!! I'm glad GOPigs exist, because they make it quite assuring that Democrats and Liberals on the correct side of history and facts.
"A significant number of his candidates ran as 'Republicans' to get elected,"
Yaaawn... just the latest Republicon talking point. I've heard other Republicon mouthpieces saying the same thing in the past couple of days. Don't know where they're trying to go with this, though... I think it has something to do with another Republicon talking point that the November '06 elections were NOT about the Iraq war... that the public was NOT expressing disfavor with the war. Yeahh, I know... that's pretty bizarre. But hey... Republicons will say ANYTHING to see if it might work... then they can always later deny they said it if it doesn't fly. God I hate being this cynical... ;>)
These people are still upset for losing an election ? what is this ? The GOP parades one out every week till they run out of bio-robots ?
If there ever was a sore loser mantra that is the one!!!!
When you are losing, you have a bankrupt program, you fail to win an election, and if one is sensible, one looks at ones self and figures how to do better. Obviously the Republicans (the party which I just left btw) are not going to learn from their errors. They insist on this cockamaney far right trash they try to peddle and assume no responsibility for their loss.
So expect more and more Republicans to leave if they cannot clean up their act. There is only miniscule moderation left in the Party. Let them continue to lose elections and then all the hard right folks can have a party where they think they are all wonnerful and right and righteous. You know the saying about fooling yourself.. Someday they just may be able to get the message.
The Right-wing media hates to admit that a LIBERAL candidate can win an election.
Liberals dominated the '06 congressional elections. There is no dispute about it. I know MMFA is with me on this one.
I kistened to a lot of righty radio immediately after the elections, and this was the ridiculous illogical talking point across the board; The GOP had lost its values and principles (heh heh) and was not conservative enough.
So, logically, those disgruntled far right nut jobs went out and voted Dem, or stayed home. Cuz we all know that cranky ultra-cons hardly vote (much sarcasm)
The best part was I don't even think this explanation was spin, just absolute denial and stunned disorientation.
You think Bush is governing in a conservative fashion?
the dems won due to the Bush ineptitude, nothing else.