How can the GOP fight against conservative Democrats?
– Electing Democrats supports Nancy Pelosi. She controls the agenda when Democrats have the majority. The Blue Dogs have not had an impact on legislation, and Heath Shuler’s stalled immigration bill is one example. The NRCC needs to emphasize that fact. • Paul Kane: What internal changes will come at the NRCC? — It’s a mistake to think that staff tweaking is the answer. The same staff won all three special elections last year. It’s about the credibility of the party and the candidates. Again, the Democrats that won did so on conservative platforms. That will eventually degrade the Blue Dog credibility, too. Democrats have had the advantage of “being in the negative”, and have not really laid out any grand agenda — they run against Republicans, and that won’t last much longer as a strategy. • Reid Wilson: Does this mean that the NRCC will remain on defense? — No, Cole sees opportunities for take-aways, too. They will continue to press Democrats to defend seats. This “Do-Nothing” Congres
