WP: On the Hill, Parties Stake Out Election Stands

[DeepModem Mom]

On the Hill, Parties Stake Out Election Stands
By Charles Babington
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, August 5, 2006; Page A06

With only four legislative weeks left, congressional Republicans and Democrats have defined their positions on most key issues in the Nov. 7 elections, staking their political fortunes on sharply different views about Iraq, immigration, taxes and stem cell research.

Both parties are still honing their messages, but the outlines came into focus late this week as Congress wrapped up its work for the summer. Local issues will play important roles in some House races, but polls suggest the election will largely be a national referendum on President Bush's performance, especially the war in Iraq....

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Framing the midterm election is somewhat simpler for Republicans, because Bush's presidency gives them fewer options. The economy is reasonably strong, they say, and the Iraq war must be won, so voters should stick with the president and his party.

Democrats have more options, and there are signs that they still struggle to settle on a succinct message and a top priority or two. They quietly jettisoned an earlier motto -- "Together, America Can Do Better" -- in favor of "New Direction for America" and "Do-Nothing Congress." They recently unveiled a campaign platform containing half a dozen priorities -- "Six for '06" -- that included college tuition subsidies and incentives for biofuels and personal savings....

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"This campaign is real simple," said Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), head of his party's campaign to gain the House majority. On the war and the economy, he said, the Republican battle cry is "stay the course" while the Democrats promise a "new direction." House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said that "Democrats will own August" by holding 250 "New Direction" events and town hall meetings nationwide....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/04/AR2006080401349.html?nav=hcmodule