October 18, 2006
Why The White House Has To Be Optimistic
Perhaps the biggest danger to Republicans in the wake of all these bad polls is that their volunteer base, so critical to victory in 2004, won't put their hearts in their work. If volunteers become convinced that Republicans will lose control of Congress, what incentive do they have to work hard?
If you're ever read a profile of Ken Mehlman, you know he is obsessed with metrics. For him, one of the most important sources of data is a weekly e-mail his political team prepares called the "Weekly Grassroots Report." It meticulously records the work of tens of thousands of volunteers in targeted states, counties and congressional districts across the country. The data summary allows the RNC to determine which states are meeting goals and which states are falling behind.
The RNC declined to share the most recent report, which was issued Monday. But two independent sources who saw last week's report professed to be surprised: not only was their no drop off last week, 12 states broke new voter contact records.
In a month, the party completed more than a million phone calls and door contacts conbined. Bigger states are putting up big numbers -- even Ohio, which lagged behind its targets all summer, has caught up. The RNC is particularly pleased with their progress in New Jersey, where they've rapidly set up a more aggressive version of their 72 Hour Program in light of the state's more competitive Senate race.
These are the numbers that motivate Karl Rove's optimism. The spreadsheets show that Republican volunteers are working hard. There are plenty of volunteers and they seem plenty willing to knock on doors and make telephone calls. That's why it makes sense for Rove, for White House pol. dir Sara Taylor, and for Mehlman to exude uncanny optimism even while their brains pore over pessimistic polls. Right now, a strong volunteer corps on election day working to turn out voters is the only hope they've got. If the volunteers detect a shred of defeatist cross-talk or come across a newspaper article suggesting that Rove is panicked, then they'll start to panic, too.
The point is that top-level Republican optimism is pragmatic, not ignorant. [MARC AMBINDER]
Posted at 10:00 AM
Comments
It's "pore", not "pour".
The Cunctator | 10.18.06 02:31 PM
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But will there registered voted vote Republican this time?
J Katz | 10.18.06 03:25 PM
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The major media, the drive by media, the left leaning media, which for years has been good for a 15 point tilt to Democratic candidates is losing its edge. It is no longer the only source of news. There is Rush, there is Hugh, a major effort to throw this election with twisted articles discouraging Republican voters may not be getting the traction that it expects. At some point the power of biased old media will just not matter. It may just be in the next 2 weeks.
Rob | 10.19.06 06:33 AM
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Assuming the Democrats take control of either or both houses, one needs to ask how much cooperation the Republicans can expect from the Angry Left. Given the choice of the current confidence expressed by Bush and Rove, or the conciliatory attitude that Democrats seem to expect, what real difference will there be to a Speaker Pelosi?
None. Hence the confidence.
Woody | 10.19.06 09:55 AM
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And it's 'there' not 'their' ("not only was their no drop off last week")
jlb | 10.19.06 11:25 AM
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It's not over yet for Republicans even though the media wants you to think the fat lady has already sung. I'm encouraged by a few of the recent Zogby Interactive polls as well as the above article.
J Arentzen | 10.19.06 12:30 PM
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What is it going to take to have an elected Republican act and vote for us like a Republican?
anthony | 10.19.06 01:10 PM
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As one 'on the ground here in Missouri, everything listed in the post is true and at the very least what we are sse here...we are one of the 12 states that did break the voter contact records...
And yes people are going to vote GOP this year. Those calls weren't 'hang ups' peopel are talking and listening to the GOP and to the Democrats and we are winnin this battle of ideas!
tsquare | 10.19.06 01:19 PM
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I am so sick and tired of Democratic defeatism. As a life long Republican I will vote for my party if I have to walk to the polling booth. If other conservatives are as sick and tired of the liberal rant as I am, and vote, then the Democrats will be drinking Maalox rather than champagne on Wednesday morning.
B. Kely | 10.19.06 02:59 PM
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I am so sick and tired of Democratic defeatism. As a life long Republican I will vote for my party if I have to walk to the polling booth. If other conservatives are as sick and tired of the liberal rant as I am, and vote, then the Democrats will be drinking Maalox rather than champagne on Wednesday morning.
B. Kelly | 10.19.06 02:59 PM
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It's "their," not "there."
B Katzer | 10.19.06 03:10 PM
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Just remember, no matter what the latest poll says, vote. Do not quake in your shoes, immobile with fear. Vote and let nothing or no one stop you. The Dems and their allies in the Media want to put it in your head that our cause is lost, just give up and don't bother. Stay home. They are celebrating with each no poll, never realizing the only poll that counts is on election day. Let them be giddy with victory before the election. I myself will keep my nose to the grindstone and not let myself get distracted, discouraged or disgraced into not voting. Broken glass
Cyndi814 | 10.19.06 04:52 PM
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pore1 (pôr, pōr) pronunciation
intr.v., pored, por·ing, pores.
1. To read or study carefully and attentively: pored over the classified ads in search of a new job.
2. To gaze intently; stare.
3. To meditate deeply; ponder: pored on the matter.
Re-Cunctator | 10.19.06 10:31 PM
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The only poll that matters are those asking if the current events will cause a voter to change their vote. Poll after poll say, NO, it won't change voting, so leftist pundits can hope and wish all they want, the House and Senate may not change hands. Some seats will change, but I do not think the overall Majority will change in either chamber.
Rick J Krenz | 10.20.06 05:04 AM
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yes, and they will be above the ground. As opposed to democrats voting from the great beyond.
socratease | 10.20.06 06:40 AM
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personally the non-stop drumbeat of liberal attacks by the media do nothing but make me more and more determined to do everything i can to turn out GOP votes.
i was pretty complacent a few months ago but after watching the media "orgy" over foley i volunteered to help any way i can and have been making plans to get every republican i know to the polls on election day.
i'd crawl through broken glass just to prove these liberals wrong and every day i watch cnn parade a non-stop list of liberals onto the screen makes my determination that much stronger.
eriq | 10.20.06 07:04 AM
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Jessica | 01.28.08 08:45 AM
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ccl-onlinetr | 02.03.08 06:24 PM
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ccl-onlinetr | 02.03.08 06:24 PM
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ccl-onlinetr | 02.03.08 06:25 PM
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lostyand | 03.01.08 07:06 AM
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lostyand | 03.01.08 07:06 AM
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lostyand | 03.01.08 07:06 AM
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lostyand | 03.01.08 07:06 AM
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lostyand | 03.01.08 07:06 AM
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lostyand | 03.01.08 07:06 AM
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