Run against the GOP, Cole tells hopefuls

Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) told GOP congressional hopefuls on Thursday that they should not be afraid to criticize both political parties – including Republican members of the House.

During a conference call, the National Republican Congressional Committee chairman instructed candidates, campaign managers and press secretaries that given the anti-incumbent environment, it could be beneficial for House GOP candidates to distance themselves from politicians they may be serving with next year.

{mosads}“These [congressional approval] ratings are worse than we had on the eve of losing the majority,” Cole said. “Don’t be afraid to say you are disappointed in fellow Republicans… don’t hesitate to be anti-Washington, D.C.”

The NRCC chief discouraged candidates from attending the national convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul, saying that spending days there would be a “waste of time,” and they would be better off campaigning.

Cole stressed to the congressional candidates that they must capitalize on the energy issue, which has given the GOP a rare burst of political momentum.

 “There is potential for a big showdown in the fall on this issue,” Cole said, pointing to the expiration of the executive order banning offshore drilling in September. “The Democrats are going to have to do something proactive on this issue.”

 He suggested that Republican candidates call on their opponents to condemn Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for leaving the energy issue to languish over the August break.

  “Put them in a box on this issue in any way you can,” Cole said on the call, which The Hill was allowed to listen in on.

Candidates were also advised by NRCC staff to have an operative at each of their opponent’s speaking events and to make sure to record any radio interviews they might do, just in case they can be caught “doing something really stupid.”     

 In a recess packet distributed to Republican congressional candidates, the NRCC encouraged them to use GOP efforts on the House floor to push the energy issue as the centerpiece of their campaigns as they head into the crucial month of August.

The documents suggest that candidates hold press events at gas stations and details a list of energy bills that the Democratic-led Congress has, and has not, allowed to be voted on during the 110th Congress.

A timeline and a list of Republican-sponsored, energy-related discharge petitions are also included in the recess packet.

In addition to the materials for their candidates, each Democratic candidate will be featured on a “House Energy Report Card” featuring a forlorn donkey and a list of 101 courses such as “Alternative Energy 101” with the word “FAIL” written next to it.

The NRCC also launched a new ad Thursday, modeled after a movie trailer, that accuses House Democrats of having no energy agenda and features interviews with Pelosi on various news programs.

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesman Doug Thornell dismissed the GOP messaging as insincere.

“The Grand Oil Party is popping champagne corks after a week of reports showing record profits for their Big Oil buddies,” he said. “In fact, Big Oil owes House Republicans a big thank you card for consistently looking out for their bottom line instead of supporting Democratic efforts to lower gas prices for middle-class  families.”

Despite Democratic cries of hypocrisy during a year that has brought Republicans little to cheer about, the energy debate has swayed editorial boards and public opinion largely to the GOP.

Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (R-Fla.) warned in the August 2008 district work kit that the GOP must take advantage of the opportunity.

“If we don’t build on this momentum and lock it down now, we don’t stand a snowball’s chance of getting something done and regaining the trust of the American people.”

In addition to energy, the conference recess packet also includes talking points on the economy, security, healthcare and various other initiatives.

 While Republicans may currently hold the high political ground on energy, many Americans still lay the blame at the feet of the Bush administration for the cost of gas.

According to a July 31 CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll, 54 percent of those surveyed blamed the Bush administration for the cost of fuel, 51 percent blamed the ban on offshore drilling for gas prices and 68 percent blamed the oil companies for the rise in gas prices. Only 31 percent blamed Democrats in Congress.