This week’s was a perfect example, that I think too many people on our side is going to dismiss since Scarborough is a squishy liberal RINO communist, and even worse…he’s quoting Maureen Dowd’s brother. That’s a shame because they lay out a blueprint the GOP should be listening too. The column goes more into detail, but the bullet points…

1. DO NOT INTERFERE WITH YOUR OPPONENT WHEN HE IS ENGAGED IN THE ACT OF DESTROYING HIMSELF.
2. FOCUS ON THE PRESIDENT’S DISMAL RECORD
3. TOTAL VICTORY IS PREFERABLE TO DISEMBOWELMENT

Sounds like common sense but yet it’s not, and this debacle over the payroll tax cut is a perfect example (and one that they brought up). The Senate GOP was extended the payroll tax cut for a few months and had the White House caving on a millionaire’s tax while forcing him to make a decision on the Keystone XL Pipeline and tell the people while he’d rather have to pandered to radical environmentalists than create jobs. His approval was in the toilet. His party was revolting. The GOP was winning and would have been able to go home for the holidays and come back in the New Year to continue the job.

Instead, the House voted down the bill because it didn’t give them everything they wanted, and while I understand all the reasons why a year long extention is better and agree, all it did was make the GOP look petty while the President went Christmas shopping. We let the President off the hook while he was destroying himself, took the focus off of his dismal record and instead put it on how we don’t seem able to communicate amongst ourselves, and would have disemboweled ourselves had people not been focus more on the holidays.

We need to get it together is we’re taking back the Senate and the White House in November.

I think the consensus amongst the blogosphere, whether you are on the side of the Senate or the House, is that the GOP managed to screw up the payroll tax cut debate to a fair thee well. You would think this would be an easy one. We were getting a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline, weren’t raising taxes on successful people, and taking away the Democrat talking point aboot not working together.

Instead, we botched things up and managed to make President Class Warfare look like a tax cutter while we want to hike everyone’s taxes. How do I know this? Because of my mom and all the women in my office asking me, “Why are Republicans raising my taxes?”

This is why when it comes to messaging; people need to think aboot their mom. Now, I know the facts. I know that the House wanted a yearlong extension vs. the Senate’s two months extension, that it would have been impossible for business to implement a two month extension, and that a yearlong tax holiday would give companies more certainty to do things like create jobs. I know these things, because I’m a political junkie who sits in front of a computer all day.

My mom, and I’m willing to bet your mom too, watches the morning news as she’s drinking her tea before work. Everything I wrote in the first paragraph gets cut down to “the House rejected the Senate proposal.” Whine about media bias all you want, but factually that’s true and arguing about “process” gets the channel changed to the “Property Brothers” on HGTV.

I know we’re right. You know we’re right. The GOP knows how to communicate with us 140 characters at a time, and we know how to write blogs.

But until we all figure out how to communicate to our mothers, we’re going to look like jackasses while they fawn over how cute the President’s dog is.

That’s why last Thursday, while Paul Ryan was busy working on the GOP’s alternative budget and some are comparing him to cats like John Kasich and Newt Gingrich, I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why the House GOP Leadership felt in necessary to put out a “blueprint” of what the budget would be, that produced no numbers and no projections, and was essentially a collection of catchphrases and pictures of windmills.

Seriously, whoever’s idea that was needs to be kicked squarely in the nuts. While Ryan (and apparently Eric Cantor sided with him on this) was working on what could amount to a new “Contract for America,” John Boehner and Mike Pence rushed this blueprint out to prevent the Democrats from calling them the “Party of No,” which actually worked. They stopped saying “Party of No” and started saying “Party of No New Ideas.”

And if there was ever a contrast in leadership in the GOP, here’s Paul Ryan speaking on the budget battle:

“No. 1, we can go to the American people with the truth and tell them what’s happening; and No. 2 – and our obligation if we’re going to criticize – is to give the American people a choice. And I think we need to reach our hand out to Democrats, especially the ‘Blue Dog’ Democrats, who consider themselves conservative Democrats, and say, ‘Don’t sign up to this borrowing spree. Defeat this budget, work with us and let’s get something better.’”

And here’s current minority leader John Boehner when asked if the GOP would be taking a stance of no more bailouts:

“Well, we’ll see.”

He said that while he was walking out the door.

Le sigh.

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Here’s the rub though…it’s our fault. You and I know we had mad alternatives, the R’s in the House and Senate knows we had mad alternatives, but the cats on the television were more concerned with winning the daily news cycle my pointing out the wasteful spending in the bill. And while that was good for firing up the base (which we desperately needed), it rapidly turned the debate against us.

That’s all going to change. As per Byron York, who knows a thing or two aboot a thing or two…

I just got off the phone with a very plugged-in Republican strategist who told me that Republican reaction to President Obama’s speech, which the party will roll out in the next few days, will mark the beginning of a new GOP approach to opposing the president’s initiatives. (No, Bobby Jindal’s ineffective response was not part of that new approach — everyone seems a little embarrassed about that.) The Republican leadership in the House has concluded that in the stimulus debate, the GOP succeeded in dominating a number of news cycles but failed to score any points on actual policy. That, the leaders believe, has got to change.

The Republican role was limited to a) saying no to the Obama/Democratic bill, and b) having three moderates in the Senate approve of the bill as long as it offered a little less than what Democrats proposed. The idea that Republicans, mostly in the House, had an actual full-scale alternative, was lost. “On the Sunday talk shows, right after it passed, find me one person who mentioned the Republican alternative,” the strategist said.

So now Republicans want to try something new. They point to last year’s debate over energy, in which the GOP got the upper hand on the issue of drilling — so much so that majority Democrats were forced to retreat from their position. That, the strategist says, was the kind of clearly-articulated policy alternative that Republicans will be seeking to put forward today.

Here’s an example I’d like to see. I’m employed by a small business. 70% of American’s are employed by small businesses. Do you know how much of the stimulus bill helps small businesses? 1%. So unless you’re in construction or a Democrat special interest group, the stimulus bill doesn’t really stimulate your economy all that much…except for the extra $13 or so a week, that you’re going to lose in two years anyways.

I’d like to hear the GOP talk more aboot how they intend on helping the 70% of us who are employed by these small businesses, and less aboot President Pelosi’s rodents or Harry Reid’s new toy train set.

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I still roll to old school Van Halen, Motley Crue, and Kiss. My preference has always been pinball machines to shoot ‘em up games. And while I do enjoy a lot of the Judd Apatow movies, my heart still lies with Mel Brooks and “the Cannonball Run.”

In a word, retro rocks!

Apparently the Republican Party feels the same way, and while all the cool kids are rambling on and on aboot “change,” the GOP is dusting off the old playbook and taking us back to 1994, the year of Pearl Jam, “Pulp Fiction,” and the Republican’s taking back control of the House and the Senate.

So sayeth Politico…

Republicans are hatching a political comeback by dusting off a strategic playbook written nearly two decades ago. Its themes: Unite against Democrats’ economic policy, block and counter health care reform and tar them with spending scandals.

Those represent the political trifecta that former House Speaker Newt Gingrich bet on in 1994 to produce a historic Republican takeover of Congress. Now, some Republicans believe President Barack Obama’s one-two push on the economy and health care reform is setting the stage for a new round of significant gains, if not a total takeover.

I don’t know how I feel aboot this. On one hand, I’ve always been a firm believer that as long as we are on the side of fiscal discipline that’s a good thing. And there’s a lot aboot what I’ve been reading aboot the Democrat plan to Europeanize healthcare that scares me, especially when it comes to limiting experimental treatment, because had it not been for that my mother would be dead right now.

But as much as I enjoyed “Yellow Ledbetter”, this isn’t 1994 anymore. Healthcare costs, for a number of different reasons, have spiraled complete out of control. We need to have something to say other than the word “no.”

Admittedly, trying to wrap my head around what the answer is gives me a migraine. All I know is the guys like Newt Gingrich and David Gratzer have had plenty to say aboot market based healthcare reform that makes a lot of sense, a lot more than when I read Tom Daschle’s “Critical.”

Hopefully the House GOP has been reading up as well.

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And while many in the media disagree with me and think anytime a Republican speaks out against Dear Leader they should be run out of the country, I think most Americans in the middle (which are most Americans) would like to see their government on the same budget they themselves are on.

So there are little things Republicans, particularly in the House, can do to reach out to those people. Republican Whip and conservative muse Eric Cantor held an “economic roundtable” in NYC a few days ago, which is a great idea but I’d like to see it expanded to more of a “town hall” setting across the states. Then there’s this, the House GOP as a fiscal watchdog group?

House Republicans are setting up “a stimulus-watch program” that will allow watchdog groups and private citizens to report findings as contractors and agencies start spending billions of dollars on roads, schools, renewable energy projects and other initiatives, said House GOP Whip Eric Cantor of Virginia.

“We’ll be taking a look in detail” and “really providing accountability and transparency,” Cantor said in an interview Wednesday.

House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio said in a statement: “House Republicans are concerned about the potential for abuse of taxpayer funds in the massive trillion-dollar spending bill that the president signed into law this week…We will remain vigilant in our oversight efforts.”

I like this, fun there’s a fine line to not cross. Nitpicking over the nickel and dime stuff will be cute for talk radio, but it runs the risk of getting old quick. I’d rather them focus on the big things like the money not going where it was supposed to, be using for what it was supposed to be used for, or some of the “healthcare provisions” that the Democrat party snuck into the bill to avoid a debate aboot rationing health care (which as per Tom Daschle’s “Critical,” is part of the strategy to bring socialized medicine to the U.S.).

I’d also like to see would be the House GOP to provide the transparency and “sunlight” that Senator Obama promised during his campaign, yet seems to have broken that promise to the American people with any piece of legislation he’s signed so far as President. Point of fact, since Obama is no different that George Bush and signs executive orders when people aren’t looking, signed one that says all “stimulus” jobs have to go to the heads of the Democrat Party unions.

That means the alleged 3.5 million jobs become 3.5 million pay checks union bosses can take money out of; keep some for themselves, and kick some back to the Democrat Party in the way of PAC money and campaign contributions…and all this using your tax dollars, which we have to borrow from China in the first place. I’m just saying.

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With Barack Obama set to announce his $50 Billion housing bailout out today, the day after signing his $1.5 TRILLION spending package, there’s a debate going on amongst conservative circles (the MSM has already decided we’re wrong no matter what we do) as to how much we can just say “no,” how many alternatives to present to what the D’s want to do, and what the happy medium is.

As it stands, Republican Whip and conservative heartthrob Eric Cantor already opposed Obama’s housing bill two days ago…

“Homeowners, right now, are suffering under skyrocketing property taxes. And if we put the bill for $50 billion plus on top of all the bills that families have right now, you may very well be set to encourage more foreclosures,” said Cantor.

Cantor said that the vast majority of U.S. families are keeping up with mortgage payments and are wondering who will pay for the “continued succession of bailouts.”

I’m torn. On one hand, I lean towards the side that as long as conservatives are saying “no” on the side of fiscal responsibility, we’re on the right side of an issue. The ground troops are fired up, which is something we desperately needed. And as we get to the various bailouts, which most American’s oppose with majorities of 60% or more in some case, it’s easy to say not.

The housing crisis is low hanging fruit. When 91% of homeowners aren’t in risk because they did the right thing, saved money, paid their bills on time, and acted responsibly, I know of even a few liberals who have issues bailout out the 9% who did anything but act responsibly.

We also said no to the auto bailout, arguing that we were going to give them a loan without a plan, and that they were going to come back without a plan and asking for more money. And what happened? They’re coming back this week without a plan and asking for more money.

But the danger is in being labeled “The Party of No,” with out reaching out to the President and presenting fresh ideas of our own. Rep. Cantor holding economic round tables (there’s one today in NYC) is a great to keep the ideas flowing and out in the public.  However, I think a more perfect opportunity to do this would be next week with the “Fiscal Responsibility Summit” President Obama is holding next week.

If we send over cats like Rep. Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney, Meg Whitman to participate and present our alternatives, while being open to listening to what everyone else is presenting as well. Of course that’s even if Republicans are invited to participate in the first place, but since the President is so mad bi-partisan, I can’t imagine they wouldn’t be.

Saying “no” against wasteful spending and legislation we honestly feel is bad for the American people is what we should be doing. But without fresh alternatives, like a new “Contract for America” or Rep. Ryan’s “Roadmap to America’s Future,” it makes it more difficult fight the label of the “party of no.”

Then again, maybe being the “party of no” isn’t a bad thing. ::shrugs::

UPDATE: Did I say 50 Billion…

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I kibitzed aboot this a few days ago, but in all seriousness, did ANYONE expect us to be this focused and this organized this early into President Pelosi’s President Obama’s presidency? And if you don’t believe me (since let’s be honest, a guy who blogs in his mama’s basement without any pants isn’t what some would call “credible”), why don’t we listen to someone who generally knows what they’re talking aboot.

Take it away, Amanda Carpenter…

I’ve gotten so many clips of YouTube videos, emails, clips, etc from various Republican members of Congress explaining their opposition to the 1,000 page bill, I think Obama is going to be sorry they ever brought the subject up in the first place.

They’re all on the airwaves, they’re all on Twitter and they’re all on message. Just look at what’s happening in the stimulus debate. More information and transparency works in their favor and against the Democrats.

No, the GOP probably won’t win this fight, but their battle armor is getting stronger.

To back up Amanda’s point, as I wrote this I received two e-mails from Eric Cantor’s office. One of them was announcing an economic roundtable in New York City (with my dawg, Rep. Pete King). The other was for this video…

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During the transition, there was talk aboot what the best way us to play “loyal opposition” to an uber-popular President Obama. The one that made the most sense was support him when we can, oppose him when we must, and every step of the way make sure we have an alternative plan we feel is better for the American people. Cantor has developed into the perfect spokesman for that. Point of fact, the new Smarter, Simpler Stimulus website.

He’s set up a website where we can leave comments on what we want do and don’t want to see in a “stimulus” plan (as opposed to the Democrat Fiscal Suicide Act of 2009, which is mainly a boondoggle of liberal special interests), and push the House Republican plan of…say it with me now…smarter, simpler, stimulus.

Five easy points:

-Immediate Tax Relief for Working Families
-Help for America’s Small Businesses
-No Tax Increases to Pay for Spending
-Assistance for the Unemployed
-Stabilizing Home Values

Besides that, he also penned an editorial for Politco.com on this weekends House GOP retreat. So sayeth my favourite Jew this side of Lee Goldman…

Bloodied but resolute, our focus is on the present and the future. We will discuss a range of entrepreneurial and market-based solutions to the challenges threatening small businesses, working families and American competitiveness. We will also chart a course to regain the public trust and make ourselves viable in districts across the country. And, not least of all, we will reaffirm our commitment to using new technologies to present our alternatives directly to the American people on the issues they care about most.

We stand at an enormously critical juncture for our country. With the economy in tatters, Congress and the new administration have a public mandate to take bold action to stop the bleeding. Hanging in the balance are essential questions that will define the shape of our economy for years to come. How big of a hand in private markets will the government have? Will private companies be saddled with layers of government bureaucracy? Will the government bail out every failed industry or just those deemed essential to averting economic ruin? Will we spend so heavily that we have no choice but to raise taxes in the future and permanently undermine the hopes and dreams of our children and grandchildren?

The GOP may not control the agenda, but there are reasons for hope. We share a set of values that make us unapologetic about rewarding hard work and preserving the incentive for small businesses and the self-employed to grow. History is on our side. Countries, towns and communities stagnate when government micromanages industry and people are left to depend on handouts. They thrive when small, medium and large private businesses – driven to innovate and grow – create sustainable jobs.

There was concern aboot what’s to become to the Republican Party, and how we’re just wandering out in the wilderness. As long as we have young guns like Eric Cantor taking charge and leading the way, the party and more importantly our principles will be just fine.

Between Cantor and Michael Steele, this was a good week to be a Republican.

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Actually, the one aboot Mitt announcing his run for President would have been more apropos here. Apparently, while the RNC was busy electing Michael Steele to be the new chairman, the House GOP held their annual retreat, and one of the featuring speakers? You guessed it, the man himself, Mitt Romney.

Here’s a little of what he had to say:

A few months have passed since the election. It’s enough time to consider the outcome and take stock of our party’s future. I want to make clear that I’m optimistic: our ideas are good, our agenda will make America stronger, and your action this week showed that we have the kind of leaders who will stand up for what they believe in. I have often been asked what I think the Republican Party must do to recover. What I’ve said is this: My first concern isn’t about our party-it’s about our country.

In fact, the two are closely related. The best way for us to advance the prospects of our party is to do what we know is right for the country. This is what the American people expect of us. And that’s what we should expect of ourselves. This is a time of hardship and uncertainty for millions of Americans. The question is: whose leadership and ideas will turn things around. And in such a moment, it’s our job to offer the clear answers, the proven solutions, and resolute leadership that will make this country strong again.

The bulk of the speech was the usual right-wing talking points on how to fix the economy, not to mention his way of reminding people who will be endorsing a Republican candidate in 2012 that, in this economic turmoil, he’s the one with the background in economic, turning around business, and all other things having to do with that dolla’ dolla’ bill.

I suspect this won’t be the last time he’ll be address in the House Republicans. The question on my mind is, who is going to take a shot at the other person first: Mitt Romney, or Sarah Palin?

UPDATE: Romney, though this was more a joke:

“It was rumored that Gov. Palin was offered $11 million by a publisher for her book. My publisher has also talked about $11 million, but I couldn’t round up that amount of money to pay it.”

The book in question will be on the policy challenges that America faces.

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