Dem incumbents own dysfunctional Washington

When I accepted the position as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), I stressed the importance of investing heavily in human beings — from candidates to staff. Eleven months later, top-tier candidates and campaigns are emerging from Arkansas to Michigan, Louisiana to Alaska, and beyond.

One year from Election Day, I am pleased to report that Republicans are positioned to win the majority.

{mosads}Voters across the country will ultimately decide who our Republican candidates are, but we are extremely proud of our strong recruiting class. From former governors to pediatric neurosurgeons, members of our armed services to federal and statewide legislators, this class of Republican candidates is as diverse and well-rounded as any I can remember.

Training our candidates and their campaigns is a top priority. Our campaigns are going to be prepared for anything that comes their way. That is why we’ve conducted training boot camps — we’re nearly halfway through the more than 20 planned — both in Washington and in crucial states across the country.  These boot camps have included high intensity issue and media training, digital and other nuts and bolts campaign tactics.

In addition, we’ve partnered with the Republican National Committee (RNC) to develop an unprecedented grassroots strategy, starting earlier than ever before. Under the leadership of Chairman Reince Priebus, the RNC is establishing more field offices, and there are already hundreds of people working in battleground states across the country building relationships and campaigns from the bottom up.

After the latest NBC/Wall Street Journal poll showed President Obama and Washington at all-time lows in favorability, Chuck Todd noted that if this were October 2014, “slews of incumbents would lose” — and for us, that’s welcome news. Why? Because Republicans are completely on offense while Democrats are stuck defending unpopular and vulnerable incumbents who no longer reflect the views of the majority of people in their home states.

For the last five years, Washington has been run by Democrats. During that time it has been dysfunctional, incompetent and out of touch. Elected officials and government workers are expected to perform their duties for the taxpayer with honesty, openness, diligence and integrity. Too often, they have not. Working Americans feel they’ve been misled and as though all hope has been lost. They feel that instead of working to solve problems, politicians will say and do anything to get reelected — and they’re rightfully outraged.

America is built upon the notion that that no matter who you are, where you come from or what your background is, if you work hard and play by the rules, you can succeed and provide your children with a better life. That is why our candidates will focus on the issues that matter most to middle-class families and workers and articulate a positive vision.

They will listen, not dictate. They will level with people, not make promises that they cannot keep. They will focus on jobs and growth, and talk about a future where everyone who wants a quality job has one; where world-class healthcare is affordable and efficient, and where all of our kids have a fair shot to earn their success.

Moran is the junior senator from Kansas, serving since 2011.