For GOP, Bad Gets Worse in Northeast

[im10ashus]

PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. -- When it comes to President Bush and the Republican Congress, Rep. Jim Gerlach says voters in his suburban Philadelphia district are in a "sour mood."

That's why when it comes to his reelection, the two-term incumbent says "the name of the game" is to convince those same voters that he can be independent of his own party. He has turned his standard line about Bush -- "When I think he's wrong, I let him know" -- into a virtual campaign slogan, repeated in interviews and TV ads.

"It is a combination of things, from the war in Iraq to gas prices to what they are experiencing in their local areas," Gerlach said of the surly electorate whose decision he will know on Nov. 7.

The Iraq war and Bush's low approval ratings have created trouble for Republicans in all regions. But nowhere is the GOP brand more scuffed than in the Northeast, where this year's circumstances are combining with long-term trends to endanger numerous incumbents.

cont'd...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/13/AR2006081300766.html

[wakeme2008]

1. This should be easy for the Dem running against him

a simple chart times he voted with the Repugs and times he voted against them

[aceman2373]

2. It does not matter..

The republicans will never win the northeast.. It has always been democratic and will never change.

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. Except he's an incumbent, so obviously Republicans can win there

so it does matter. Every single Republican in Congress is a problem.

[im10ashus]

6. Well, partially true, I suppose.

Except that here in NY, our Senate is a repug majority. :shrug:

[dkofos]

3. Cut and run repugs

"When I think he's wrong, I let him know"
"But I am afraid he will expose the skeletons
in my closet so I always vote with him"

Would make for a great counter add

[Jane Austin]

5. Easy answer:

When Gurlach says:

"When I think he's wrong, I let him know" -- into a virtual campaign slogan, repeated in interviews and TV ads.

The ad campaign answers:

Rep. Gurlach apparently thought Bush was not wrong on the following issues: Followed by short list of obnoxious pro-Bush votes.

[warrens]

7. Linc Chafee must be very, very nervous

Lieberman was even more of a household name than Chafee is among his voters. And he was a Dem. Things can not be looking good for Chafee at all.