College Republican Federation of Virginia

The domination of both houses of Congress by the Democratic party presents conservatives and Republicans with a unique strategic opportunity, if they can stop their bickering and take advantage of it.

In what is probably the most bizarre election cycle in 50 years, one that has seen such sterling commentators as George Will reduce themselves to eloquent whiners, the Republican party has squabbled and squandered away one of the most brilliantly organized election operations in history. 

 A primary process that amounted to nothing more than a glorified pissing contest over who did a better Reagan impression combined with President Bush’s utterly ham-fisted governance left the party with no message and no ideas.  Self-serving strategists, more concerned with their next job than their current one, have insulted our VP nominee in the press, among other offenses.

Obama can barely maintain 50% in the polls, and NO republican candidate can seem to gain ground, except for Joe the Plumber.  Virginia is about to elect its second Democratic senator in a row.

What can we do?  Divide and conquer.

The liberals in the Democratic party may lead it but they don’t control it.  Blue Dog Democrats make up 25% of House Dems and many Blue Dogs control influential Senate committees.  These are the Dems who actually believe in paying as you go, don’t want to kill unintended children, and voted against defeat in Iraq.

The liberals need them to govern.  They won’t get anything done without them and they know it.  There numbers are increasing.  Most of the seats gained in 2006 were Blue Dogs, as are most of the seats the Dems will gain this year.

If the GOP and the conservative movement can get their acts together, they have a unique opportunity to divide the Democratic coalition and severely hamper liberals like Pelosi, Reid,and Obama.  Conservatives must return to being an idea-based movement, rather than the critique-based movement it has become.

Healthcare, energy, and the environment are three issues conservatives can use to drive the Dems apart and prevent liberal catastrophe.

Obama’s healthcare plan is going to bring a massive cost, and Pelosi will push it even if McCain pulls the miracle.  The Dems simply can’t tax enough, especially in a recession, to pay for it. They will have to put it on the deficit.  A conservative alternative that is significantly less costly coupled with spending cuts will attract Blue Dogs and hamper liberals.

High energy costs hurt everyone. The GOP already scored a victory on this front by appealing to Blue Dogs and it can do so again.  Increased domestic drilling MUST be accompanied by a sincere and significant investment in the next generation of energy infrastructure and technology.  Such an investment will undermine radical liberals while enhancing American prosperity.

In the hundreds of hours I spend outdoors, I have never once seen an environmentalist.  Usually, I see them in urban areas, worshipping an ‘environment’ they know very little about.  Conservative hunters and fisherman pay for state Game and Fish Departments and this puts conservatives in a unique position to win an issue liberals can only rant about.

By presenting a balanced environmental agenda that focuses on anti-pollution efforts and intelligent, innovative conservation conservatives can take this issue from the left before it is used to seize profits from American energy companies and redistribute them to radical environmental troglodytes.

By dividing our enemies, conservatives can win again, and sooner than we think.  Offering Blue Dog Democrats respectable alternatives to liberal excesses will go a long way toward blunting the damage Pelosi & Co. will do to this country and give Republicans a firm foundation for future victories.