Words to Win By

Dept. of Advice (cont.)

An election that becomes a referendum only on the president's popularity or the success or failure of the war is a sure loser for Republicans. Remember: It is not your job to defend the president! He's a big boy. He and Dick Cheney have more than sufficient White House staff to defend them. But don't be critical of him. Most Republican voters still support the president even if they disagree with the war. Getting the base out is all-important and may be the difference between winning and losing.

-- Edward J. Rollins, Republican strategist and Reagan campaign manager

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Republicans don't have to convince Cindy Sheehan that prevailing in Iraq is crucial to our national security, but they must and can persuade former hawks to support what has to be done in Iraq. President Bush's approval ratings are up following his own recent speeches on the war on terror and the ideological struggle we confront. Republican candidates should read them. Conservative voters face a choice in November and should be fearful of political leadership that diminishes the threat we face and lacks the resolve to confront it. Republican candidates should emphasize this. Fear is their friend.

-- Kate O'Beirne, Washington editor, National Review

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Be proud of the party and be proud of the contrasts. Elections are about choices, so we must draw clear differences and reveal the Democratic candidates for the rogue extremists they truly are. Does their position on Iraq blow around like a tumbleweed? Do they support higher gas taxes? Is this candidate a prosecutor who plea-bargains with illegal aliens? The fact that these candidates would be tangibly harmful to the daily lives of most Americans will matter more than Democrats putting your picture next to the president's and saying "Supports Bush 92 percent of the time."

-- Dan Hazelwood, Republican strategist

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Surprisingly, Bush's unpopularity can represent a strategic opportunity for House Republicans, especially conservatives. Here's why: