The Referendum
Q. So how do you see the strategies shaping up for
the two parties? Do the Democrats need an agenda of their own, similar to
the Contract with America that you ran on in 1994?A. Here's the core thing for you to think about: The
Republican challenge is to get back on offense as the reform party.The Democrats' challenge is to do one of two things.
What they are going to try to do, what they should do, is say nothing except:
"had enough?" If they try to wear a mask and pretend to be moderates,
Republicans will cheerfully take the mask off.So the Republican challenge is, prove to the country
that this is a choice not a referendum. The Democratic problem is make this
a referendum, not a choice.
The
Republicans Must Get Their Act Together
Even if the rubber stamp Republicans "get their act together,"
which would be nothing short of a miracle. We're still looking at a referendum
election.
That doesn't make it a slam dunk for Democrats, but frankly, even
as a choice, we're a better bet. The only real challenge is for D.C. Democrats
to start emulating the people who support them, showing some spine.
Newt is really being optimistic to think it's as easy as making
the current crop of "conservatives" a "reform party." Look
at the crew leading this bunch: Boehner and Frist. Wow, even as a choice, those
aren't the two at the top of anybody's political fantasy list. One's tainted and the
other diagnoses off of videotape, while being the most incompetent majority
leader in 30 years. Not exactly the image with which I'd want to walk into 2006.
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