New GOP Poll Reveals Interesting Findings

A new poll commissioned by Fabrizio, McLaughlin and Associates finds that a majority of the GOP believes the Party is too focused on moral issues and instead should get back to the core Republican agenda including strong national security, fiscal responsibility, the protection of Social Security and promotion of education. It's clear that the focus needs to be on common ground issues and solutions in order for the GOP to regain control of the national agenda.

Click here for a related press release.

This poll was featured today at MSNBC.

Rothenberg Reports on Status of Senate Races

Stuart Rothenberg, one of the most respected political analysts, released a report of the vulnerability of Senate seats across the country. Three Republican Senators – Norm Coleman of Minnesota, Susan Collins of Maine and Wayne Allard’s open Colorado seat—are on Rothenberg’s Most Vulnerable list.

Gordon Smith (R-OR) and John Sununu (R-NH) made the “Watch” list and yet another ten Republicans are on the current safe list, but as we saw in the 2006 election, any of these seats could become competitive over the next several months. Without these and other real Republicans in office, the national agenda will continue to remain out of the control of the GOP.

Click here to see Rothenberg’s full report.

Barrasso Named New Wyoming Senator- Important Issues Hang in the Balance of His Appointment

Wyoming State Senator Dr. John Barrasso was appointed Friday to temporarily fill the seat of the late Senator Craig Thomas who passed away earlier this month.

Barrasso is expected to be sworn in today and begin serving immediately. This temporary appointment, which will last until a special election in November 2008, is critical to the moderate majority. Important issues, such as stem cell research, hang in the balance and Barrasso's vote could make the difference in overriding President Bush's veto. Senator Barrasso needs to hear from the real Republican majority that his support for this potentially life-saving research is vital.

Bush Issues Veto on Stem Cell Research

President Bush issued his second veto yesterday to prohibit the advancement of stem cell research, which holds the promise of finding cures for some of the most devastating and debilitating diseases millions in our country and around the world are faced with today.

With this veto, President Bush ignored the majority of Republicans and Americans who have overwhelming showed support for stem cell research. The President's own personal views have inhibited him from proving that he truly is a "compassionate conservative".

The Senate will vote in the coming days on a potential override of the veto; they are near the 2/3 majority needed to complete the override. However, votes are still needed in the House to make this vital research law.

With Democrats in control, it's likely this is not the last time that we will see a bill on stem cell research. Will President Bush come around and see the potential this research holds?

Bloomberg/Schwarzenegger in TIME Magazine

A new TIME magazine article highlights NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg and CA Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as two of today's strongest leaders who have successfully worked across Party lines to produce results for their respective constituencies.

Schwarzenegger and Bloomberg also happen to be mainstream, common sense Republicans who have refused to play partisan politics and instead worked to accomplish real results-- exactly what those of us 'real Republicans' want to see done on the national stage. Legislators in Washington could learn a thing or two by watching what Bloomberg and Schwarzenegger have done; they have listened to the people and taken action to solve problems that the people in California and New York City have faced.

As the article stated:

"So they're not exactly playing politics as usual. But their model of crossing party lines to act where Washington won't is increasingly common. As D.C. politics has become more of a zero-sum partisan game, Mayors and Governors in both parties have taken on predatory lending, obesity, energy, health care and even immigration. 'It's innovation by necessity,' says Stephen Goldsmith, a former Republican mayor of Indianapolis who oversees Harvard's Innovations in American Government wards. This year hardly any federal programs applied. 'Very unusual,' Goldsmith says."

As Americans across the nation become more disenchanted with politics in Washington, perhaps our federal legislators will begin looking to state and local governments on how to achieve real results.

Giuliani Releases '12 Commitments'

Yesterday, Rudy Giuliani released his 12 Commitments to the American people. These commitments are what he plans to put in place if he is elected president. The 12 Commitments are below:

1. I will keep America on offense in the Terrorists' War on Us.
2. I will end illegal immigration, secure our borders, and identify every non-citizen in our nation.
3. I will restore fiscal discipline and cut wasteful Washington spending.
4. I will cut taxes and reform the tax code.
5. I will impose accountability on Washington.
6. I will lead America towards energy independence.
7. I will give Americans more control over, and access to, healthcare with affordable and portable free-market solutions.
8. I will increase adoptions, decrease abortions, and protect the quality of life for our
children.
9. I will reform the legal system and appoint strict constructionist judges.
10. I will ensure that every community in America is prepared for terrorist attacks and natural disasters.
11. I will provide access to a quality education to every child in America by giving real school choice to parents.
12. I will expand America's involvement in the global economy and strengthen our reputation around the world.

Mayor Giuliani appeared on Hannity & Colmes on Tuesday to discuss these commitments. In the interview, Giuliani said,

"The idea of it is, these are the things that we want to base our campaign on, presidency on, things about the future. A campaign should be about ideas, and
about ideas for the future. And so much of the debate, and particularly on the
Democratic side, has been about going in reverse, going back to the 1990s.
And you listen to that last Democratic debate. They must have said that a
half a dozen times, want to go back to the 1990s on terrorism, where we're sort
of in denial. We want to go back to the tax rates of the 1990s. This is just the
opposite. This is, let's turn America around. Let's head toward the future.
Let's take a look at, how can we make the tax code fairer, simpler? How can
we actually lower taxes and put more money back into the private economy? How do we deal with terrorism, this war they have against us, by being on offense, rather than going back to the way we were on defense in the 1990s."

Wyoming Senate

Last week, Wyoming Senator Craig Thomas passed away after a seven month battle with leukemia. As the state grieves his loss, the WY GOP is responsible for presenting three candidates to Democratic Governor Dave Freudenthal as possible replacements.

Fred Parady, the State GOP Chair, announced yesterday that interested parties have until Thursday to present their applications to the GOP for consideration. A candidates forum is expected to be held Sunday, when each candidate will have the opportunity to present their own ideas for the future of Wyoming. The GOP will narrow the field to three, from which Governor Freudenthal will choose the ultimate successor.

The successor will be in office until the special election in November 2008. Through the special election, voters will have the opportunity to fill the seat for the remainder of the late Senator Thomas' term, which would expire in early 2009.

There is a wide array of candidates throwing their hat into the ring for this race, including Colin Simpson, son of former U.S. Senator Alan Simpson; Matthew Mead, a U.S. attorney who resigned his post late last week; even some are speculating that Lynne Cheney will seek the nomination. What effect this appointment will have on the future of the moderate bloc of the GOP remains to be seen. Will the state GOP nominate a real Republican candidate that all GOP'ers can rally around?

For more, visit http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/06/12/news/wyoming/50-succeed.txt

Giuliani, McCain to Skip Iowa Straw Poll

In an announcement made on Wednesday, presidential hopeful Senator John McCain declared he will skip the August 11th Iowa straw poll after it was reported former Mayor Rudy Giuliani would skip the poll.In the past the straw poll has been a strong indicator of who the Party's nominee would be and all candidates worked to win the poll. However, with 2 of the leading candidates not participating, the influence of the straw poll is diminished.Why are McCain and Giuliani opting to skip the poll? How will the straw poll affect the caucus/primary process in 2008?
Click here for more.

3rd GOP Debate, Tonight, June 5th

This evening, St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire will host the 3rd GOP debate of the presidential election season.
As the home of the nation's first primary, all eyes will be on New Hampshire and this debate. We will see the re-appearance of the 10 candidates from the previous 2 debates. These candidates are: Senator John McCain (AZ), Senator Sam Brownback (KS), former Mayor Rudy Giuliani (NY), former Governor Mitt Romney (MA), Congressman Ron Paul (TX), former Governor Jim Gilmore (VA), Congressman Duncan Hunter (CA), former Governor Mike Huckabee (AR), Congressman Tom Tancredo (CO) and former Governor Tommy Thompson (WI).
Notably missing from the debate will be former TN Senator Fred Thompson who last week all but threw his hat in the ring by announcing he would set up a 'testing the waters' committee. Thompson will appear, however, on the Fox News Channel for post-debate commentary.