ENPR: Republicans Demoralized But Presidential Race Still Close

July 2, 2008 Vol. 43, No. 14a Washington, DC To: Our Readers Outlook From the standpoint of morale, enthusiasm, and confidence, the presidential election can be called no contest--Sen. Barack Obama over Sen. John McCain. The Republican candidate has not used the long period since he clinched the nomination to establish an effective campaign strategy. The level of depression among Republicans outside the McCain inner circle is worsening as Obama inches his way rightward, toward the middle of the road (at least rhetorically). Actually, it still looks like a close race on a state-by-state basis. Despite the enthusiasm gap, this remains a winnable race for McCain in a terrible Republican year. The truth is there remains voter resistance to Obama that to some degree is based on race. While Obama has been inching rightward carefully (most recently on his "I am patriot" speech), almost overlooked is his announced opposition to the California initiative on same-sex marriage. That could mobilize social conservatives nationwide. Another impetus to energize the social right may be the announcement of support for "equal time" legislation by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)--the so-called fairness doctrine. This represents a threat to the very existence of small religious radio stations across the country that could stir Christian conservatives out of their political lethargy. (Continued Below) Sponsored Content Off the Record with Bob Novak This is your chance to join Bob Novak and 70 other prominent insiders at the nation's most exclusive private-room political summit. You'll probably never again have this opportunity to engage in direct conversation with the top political powerbrokers and government policy shapers... offering you forecasts and insights that will directly affect your profits, decisions, and power. What's more, Bob Novak's iron-clad OFF THE RECORD policy is why past participants have gotten real answers even from media-wary policy makers like: John McCain, Senator and Republican Presidential Candidate Dick Cheney, Vice President Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State Al Gore, former Vice President Sen. Harry Reid, Senate Majority Leader Steve Forbes, President & CEO, Forbes, Inc. George Tenet, former Director of CIA This secret event is rarely publicized -- don't miss your chance to attend. Once all 70 seats are reserved, the doors close to all outsiders. Please don't wait. Reserve Your Seat Today On the surface, the meeting at Washington's Mayflower Hotel of some 150 financial supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton with Obama was a love-fest. Beneath the surface, though, Clintonistas were unimpressed. The candidate who is so overpowering in football stadium rallies did not capture the hearts of his former opponent's fund-raisers, who deemed his performance "underwhelming." Retired Gen. Wesley Clark talked his way out of what was shaping as a serious chance to be Obama's running mate when he delivered a mindless blast against McCain's war record (in the process, eclipsing Obama's carefully crafted patriotism speech). Clark improved as a candidate during his 2004 presidential race, but not enough obviously. House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-Wis.) shut down the entire appropriations process to protect Democrats from having to vote on oil drilling. Republicans feel they are winning the national debate with their argument that insufficient supplies rather than speculators cause spiked oil and gasoline prices. The GOP leadership has instructed their troops to press for more drilling without defending speculators. However, it looks like a case of the operation being a great success but the patient dying. All indicators point to the Republicans being blamed for the gas price explosion (see New Hampshire, below). That kindles more talk of a change in the House Republican leadership after the '08 elections. (Continued Below) Sponsored Content Click Here to Continue Reading

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