Without Bush 'millstone,' GOP can mount comeback, leader says (CNN)

[eppur_se_muova]

From Ted Barrett
CNN Congressional Producer


WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Despite crushing defeats in the last two elections, Senate Republicans have new "energy and enthusiasm" for winning back the majority, according to their leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

"President Bush had become extremely unpopular, and politically he was sort of a millstone around our necks in both '06 and '08," McConnell told reporters Friday. "We now have the opportunity to be on offense, offer our own ideas and we will win some."

Many of those ideas get presented as amendments to Democratic bills, and even though they're usually defeated, they can draw attention to GOP policy alternatives and force Democrats to take difficult votes.
***
McConnell said many of the ideas for amendments come from conservative think tanks and other Republican thinkers off Capitol Hill.

"Newt Gingrich, for example, has an idea a minute. Many of those are quite good. Many of those become amendments," he said.
***
more: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/27/gop.comeback/index.html



Gosh, I wonder if voters will just forget that it was the Repugs who foisted the fraudulent Boy King on them? I'm willing to bet memories will be more persistent than that.

re that last paragraph: I was immediately reminded of a joke from Newt's earlier days -- Supposedly there was an entire office filled with filing cabinets whose drawers were all labeled "Newt's ideas". In one corner, all by its lonesome self, was one drawer labeled "Newt's good ideas".

This joke originated with his fellow Republicans.

[Turbineguy]

1. Now if they can only

ditch the wingnuts.

[Lasher]

2. There's a reason Junior became unpopular.

It's called GOP ideology. The Republican brand sucks. Take all that newfound energy and go form a political party.

Edit: Oh and look, Mitch and his cronies get to offer their ideas like that's something brand new. I'm sick of hearing little else for 8 long years. The fail is strong with this one.

[Duer 157099]

3. All the more reason for the Obama administration to pursue criminal investigations

If it all is just relegated to some historical curiosity, then yes, it will come back in multiples.

[eppur_se_muova]

8. Agree 100%, There needs to be a constant drip, drip, drip of hearings and indictments.

Let the criminality of the Bu**sh** administration be on display in every day's news. Even people who pay no attention to the details will get the message.

[tanyev]

4. Mitch has forgotten about the cement shoes most of them are wearing.

[Demeter]

5. What a Cock-Eyed Optimist!

I'm giving up swearing for Lent. At least, for today.

[TheCowsCameHome]

6. Keep offering McCains and Palins and you'll lose every time.

They'll never figure it out.

[bemildred]

7. Tsk. How soon we forget out friends when the chips are down. nt

[corruptmewithpower]

9. They should nominate Ron Paul for 2012.

I'm not into his ideology, but unlike most of his cohorts, he does have one.

[burning rain]

10. Um, being rid of a millstone doesn't help much when...

you're braindead, as the House and Senate GOP leadership, and the RNC chairman, are.

[Skittles]

11. opposing stem cell research, picking on gay folk, wanting religion in government

they all fucking stink