Words to Win By

The administration has one large, unfinished domestic initiative left: Its big plan to legalize most illegal aliens, import millions of guest workers and increase total permanent immigration. The president believes strongly in more open immigration, and his plans are supported by most senators and by House Democrats. But they are strongly opposed by House Republicans -- and most American voters.

So here's a slogan for enforcement-first House Republicans: " Stop the Bush Amnesty Plan -- Vote GOP ."

-- David Frum, former Bush speechwriter

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Unfortunately for the GOP, the nation is suffering from party-in-power fatigue. Unless given compelling reasons not to, the electorate will be inclined to give the other side a chance to govern. The toughest to convince that Republicans deserve more time may be true conservatives, those who believe that their party must reflect the ideals of Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan. They worry that the Republican Senate has sold them out on immigration and that the party as a whole has "become what we defeated." We can still retain both houses come November, but we must first remind ourselves what we stand for.

-- Douglas MacKinnon, press secretary to former senator Robert J. Dole

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Republicans running from the president on critical issues is a problem. If you run and cower from topics such as Iraq, the benefits of tax cuts and personal accounts for Social Security, the Democrats and the left will define your position for you. When you articulate the difference between the president and Democrats on taxes, immediate withdrawal from Iraq and Social Security, the voters respond that they are not interested in a tax hike, understand that it is not wise to arbitrarily withdraw from Iraq and want someone to seriously engage in fixing our collapsing retirement system.

-- Richard K. Armey, former House majority leader

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