House GOP mulls its options after Mississippi loss

House Republicans are scrambling to come up with answers after one of the most devastating electoral losses in recent memory.

During a conference meeting on Wednesday, House GOP members attempted to get a handle on the loss of now-Sen. Roger Wicker’s (R-Miss.) former House seat. They also are grappling with what changes, if any, to make to the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).

{mosads}One such possibility deals with speculation that NRCC Chairman Tom Cole (Okla.) would be replaced by former NRCC Chairman Tom Davis (Va.).

According to a copy of House Minority Leader John Boehner's (R-Ohio) talking points, one possible query, written under the heading, “Possible Tough Questions,” reads, “Are the results in [Mississippi] another indication that 2008 is setting up to be a disastrous year for House Republicans?

“Our leadership team and our members just had one of the most candid and open meetings we’ve ever had,” read the talking points, presumably prepared before the meeting. “And we made this commitment: We’re getting up off the mat to fight, and we’re going to prove to the American people that we are the agents of change they expect their Washington leaders to be.”

The second possible question raised the possibility that Davis would replace Cole.

The answer provided was the same response to the question about whether 2008 will be a disastrous year for House Republicans.

The talking points also included statements to respond to either winning or losing the Mississippi special election.

A Republican loss was characterized in the document as a “wake-up call to Republican candidates nationwide.”

A Republican victory was described as “proof that voters responded to a positive message of freedom and reform, and real solutions that trust families more than government.”

As they trickled into their Wednesday morning conference meeting, members uttered the word "wake" to describe the mood.

Somber and sobered by the eight-point loss in Tuesday's special election, House GOP members knew that the meeting was not going to be pleasant.

The mood was subdued until Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) stood up and lambasted leadership officials.

“This better be the wake-up call leadership needs,” she said, according to sources in the room.

Reps. Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.), Don Manzullo (R-Ill.), Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) and Davis also spoke.

Davis distributed a memo to members outlining strategies that he later told reporters might help the party regroup before November.

“This is the floor and we are underneath it,” Davis told reporters, stomping his foot for emphasis and explaining that the Republican brand has been damaged by gas prices, President Bush and a lack of a cohesive message.

"It’s difficult for a congressional party to have an agenda during a [presidential election year],” Davis said. He criticized Bush, still seen as the mouthpiece of the party, for “swallowing the mic.”

“We picked some bad fights,” Davis said, citing the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program as an example. “At least Democrats are trying to do something.”

Asked whether changes in the leadership of the party should be made, Davis said, “Let’s see what they come up with at this point.”

He did, however, criticize GOP leadership for failing to make adjustments in the wake of the 2006 elections.

“What have we retooled? We are the airplane flying at the mountain,” he said. “I don’t have an ax to grind — there is no accountability for anything at this point.”

The loss of Wicker's seat, along with other recent special-election setbacks in Illinois and Louisiana earlier this year, has left House Republicans in a state of shock.

Following the meeting, Cole maintained a cool demeanor, telling reporters, “People are concerned.”

Cole attributed the loss to the challenge of running against Democrats who are running as Republicans, adding that while Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is an important asset, he alone cannot save the party.

“We didn’t lose because we were surprised. We didn’t lose because we lacked resources. We had enough money,” Cole said.

Republicans will hold another conference on Thursday morning.