On the Campaign Trail, Republicans: Too Little, Too Late?

With election 2006 now coming down to hours and not days, I wanted to make a few observations about how the Republican Party did at campaigning and getting its message out.

First of all, it was a little late in telling voters that a vote for a Democratic House was a vote for a tax increase. Remember, the Bush tax cuts are not permanent and require a vote from the House to continue. Leadership in the Democratic party has made it clear that the tax cuts are the first thing they want to see go. An end to a tax cut equals a tax increase.

Second, they failed to really accentuate how important the tax cuts were. Yesterday it was announced that 95.6 percent of the population is employed (CNN). According to economists, when considering seasonal and other employment factors, this is zero unemployment. Interesting, Ireland, which also under went major tax cuts a few years back, has unemployment at 4.4, which is less than half of the unemployment in the European Community. Tax cuts, particularly geared towards those who earn the most, such as business, always stimulate economic growth and employment. They also increase revenues (similar to how Walmart earns more than other companies that charge more, because of increased economic activity), which are at record highs.

Third, the Republicans failed to challenge voters to ask the Democrats how they would do better than Republicans. Democrats are setting voters up for very high expectations by their constant criticism of a growing economy. Bush should be asking voters are we better off than four years ago economically. The answer is clearly yes, it would be virtually impossible for the Democrats to give us a better situation.

Fourth, the President needed to ask Americans -- over and over again -- where they want a theater for a war on terror to take place. On Sept. 11, 2001 it was in New York City. Today it is in the Middle East being conducted by professional soldiers who are volunteers. No one can say "we don't want a war." We are stuck with it, it is up to us now to finish it.

Fifth, the majority of Democrats in Congress (including John Kerry and Hillary Clinton) voted so support military action in Iraq. Like children with their hands in the cookie jar, they are trying to pass blame on someone else. If voters ask their elected officials how they voted, they will be surprised how these politicians transcend party lines. Today, the only ones with plans are the Republicans (even if inadequate), the Democrats have relegated themselves to criticism and this situation demands more than that. Most voters would appreciate that reminder.

There are several other major themes that, I believe, were neglected. I want to remind the reader that incumbent presidents on the sixth year in office lose 30 members of their party in House and six in the Senate, on average. Most of the pundits are expecting a performance of about half these numbers, at best. If the President had hit these above themes earlier, I believe he could have possibly seen a Republican mandate.