Posted by Mark Silva at 12:52 pm CST
Ken Mehlman, chairman of the Republican National Committee, said today that American voters, "frustrated'' with the war in Iraq, also have spoken out against corruption in Washington with their votes to hand control of Congress to the Democrats. "We listened,'' Mehlman said. "Message received.''
And President Bush, standing with all but one conspicuously absent member of his Cabinet behind him on the steps of the Rose Garden today, made it clear that he has a message for voters of his own: "It is our responsibility to put the elections behind us and address the issues facing America,'' Bush said. "The American people expect us to rise above partisan differences, and my administration will do its part.'' Karl Rove, the president's chief political adviser, was doing his part today – passing out fruit-filled chocolates to reporters leaving the Rose Garden appearance of the Cabinet.
President Bush had Nancy Pelosi in for lunch today. The president suggested that he and the Democratic Party's designated new House speaker "won't agree on every issue,'' but promised that they will work together. Photos by Pete Souza, Tribune staff.
"We wont agree on every issue,'' Bush said after lunch at the White House with Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the California Democrat in line to become speaker of the House. But "we will do our very best to address our problems.''
In the aftermath of midterm elections that have rocked the balance of power in Washington, Bush has moved swiftly to show that he wants to work with the party now in control of the House and probably the Senate. His replacement of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld with former CIA director Robert Gates was his first and most dramatic move. Rumsfeld was the Cabinet member missing on the shaded steps of the Rose Garden on a resplendent fall day – but only because Rumsfeld had a pre-planned address at Kansas State University today – with the president bringing his Cabinet out into the open to say that they are ready to do business with Democrats.
President Bush stepped out into the Rose Garden with Vice President Cheney and most of his Cabinet today -- with the departing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld away for a speech in Kansas -- to express his commitment to working with the new Congress. Photo by Pete Souza, Tribune staff.
"I think the people sent our party a message,'' Mehlman said over a luncheon for reporters sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor. "We've got to recommit ourselves to being the party of conservative reforms.''
And, having lost 12 seats in Congress to voter dissatisfaction with "members who were either themselves involved or touched by a scandal,'' Mehlman says it's essential that the party recommit itself to the need for integrity in public office. "There was clearly a message from the voters that said, 'If you're in political office, it ought to be about public service.''''
Asked why he and other party leaders had predicted victory heading into the elections, Mehlman maintained that 30 of the races they were looking at stood "within the margin of error'' in polls heading into Election Day, meaning they could have gone either way with the right effort. He noted that 19 contests were decided by vote-margins of 5,000 or fewer.
Asked about Rove's pre-election predictions of success, he said: "Karl looked at the same polls that you and I did. There were an extraordinary number of close races.''
The war, Mehlman says, trumped anything that the administration was able to boast about a growing economy.
"The American people are clearly frustrated by the situation in Iraq,'' the party chairman said, saying that the two parties now must "come together and figure out how we can have a strategy that's sustainable.''
There is nothing about the current economy that should have worked against the party, he insisted. "War trumps that… War is a horrible thing… People hate it.''
Mehlman's own future is in question: "I will announce soon what my plan is for the future,'' he said.
But his party's future depends on recommitting Republicans to core values of reform, he insists.
"The party of reform… to me, it means we are the party that's transforming government to face the problems we have today,'' said Mehlman, pointing to public education, with his party offering parents "more choices in education'' and to immigration. "A welcoming immigration system is consistent with everything we ought to believe in.''
Acknowledging that the Republican Party captured only 30 percent of the Hispanic vote in the midterm elections – down from the mid-40s in the 2004 presidential election, and down from 36 percent in the midterms of 2002 – he said: "It's down, and I'm not happy that it's down.''
The challenge for his party remains reaching out to minorities, and the RNC is committed to doing so, Mehlman said. "America is, every day, less of a white country,'' he said. "We rely too hard on white guys for votes.''
The Democrats succeeded, Mehlman suggested, by recruiting candidates for office who don't fit the "Howard Dean model'' – a pointed reference to the polarizing chairman of the Democratic Party who was accusing Mehlman and his party at breakfast today of being the dividers. The Democrats recruited centrist candidates, he says, and it won with them.
With Democrats in the majority now, Mehlman suggests, the trick will become governing with people who have had the luxury of serving in the minority party. There are now 36 "Blue Dog'' Democrats in the House, he noted – with a reference to conservative Democrats – and 30 of them have never served in the majority party. "When they do, it becomes a different challenge to represent what their constituents want and also answer to the caucus,'' Mehlman said.
It's time that leaders in Washington get in line with American voters, he suggested. "Washington, D.C., is much more divided than America is,'' he said, suggesting that some politicians have grown so partisan that they can't see beyond their rhetoric about hatred for the other party. Half his relatives are Democrats, he said, and "there are lots of reasons to hate some of my relatives other than their party.''
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Comments
That's a beautiful photograph of Nancy and George don't you think? She looks like a hungry lioness getting ready to pounce and he looks like a big dumb wildebeest presenting his flank for lunch. Perfect!
Posted by: Donald R. | November 9, 2006 1:09 PM
If Bush were in Soviet Russia, he wouldn't have said, "Message received," until The Wall was torn down with peoples' bare hands!
Posted by: Mike | November 9, 2006 1:34 PM
Now that America has spoken,we need to move forward with some changes,and quit worrying about what the wingnuts like John D.feated, Pauloser,and Juan think.
They had their chance,and they failed.
What they think doesn't matter anymore............thank you Lord.
We need to let the Iraqi's pick out their new dictator,and pull our guys out of Iraq as soon as possible.
The military did their job,it's time for them to come home.
We need to start doing everything possible to get rid of our debt.
The Iraq "fake" war has caused us to borrow from China and Japan to finance it,if we don't fix this problem our days as a super power will be numbered,if they're not already.
Goodluck America,
I think we now have the leaders in place that can make these things happan.
Posted by: John E. | November 9, 2006 1:45 PM
Actually Don, I see potential for see a dirty joke here.
Posted by: Juanito | November 9, 2006 1:45 PM
Iv'e got to say, Nancy is pretty easy on the eyes; a huge improvement over old red face.
Posted by: c.Morris | November 9, 2006 1:51 PM
If they'd "received" the message a year or two ago, they'd probably still control Congress.
Posted by: John | November 9, 2006 2:00 PM
With over 2,800 military dead and another 10,000+ in hospitals, the new Congressional leadership should burn anyone who starts finger pointing or playing "gotcha" with the outgoing party. There is no time for any of it.
Get about the business of the people, keep your pants on while on the company clock, and don't cut a deal you wouldn't want detailed on the front page of the Trib.
Yes, politics can be a full contact sport. But before and after any required beatdowns, the work must get done. So Dems...get to it.
Posted by: RRB | November 9, 2006 2:02 PM
RRB(D?),
What will be more interesting is to see what kind of garbage this lame duck Congress attempts to indulge in before the new Congress is sworn in.
And for the record, it is necessary to get to the bottom of why we went to Iraq. You can call that backward looking, but those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. Just compare the introspection undertaken by the Israelis following this summer's indecisive engagement (as well as their pention for introspection following all military engagements) with your desire to "just move on." People want answers to these questions, one of the many reasons the Republican enablers were firmly trounced on Tuesday.
"But before and after any required beatdowns, the work must get done"
So I'm guessing that is why you saw the light and joined the wave that threw out this do-nothing Congress? The people's work hasn't been getting done for a long time, and that is finally about to change. Long live moderation!
Posted by: Bryan | November 9, 2006 2:26 PM
I'll second that, C.Morris!
Posted by: Juanito | November 9, 2006 2:32 PM
RRD,
You are right, but it's going to be tough, hard going. And GWB has to learn how to play nice, too. Don't know if he can.
Eventually, there will be some finger pointing. Investigations are going to happen and information will be forthcoming.
Some of it good, some of it bad.
Posted by: c.Morris | November 9, 2006 2:39 PM
I can't believe they didn't see this coming. Clueless republicans. You think little georgie would have learned from daddy about being out of touch with the middle class.
Posted by: rje | November 9, 2006 2:45 PM
John D Great Debate
Paulo get help
JD not bad
Now we have to work as one to get our Country grat again.
Posted by: Dale Peters | November 9, 2006 2:54 PM
Kenny boy, you just keep on telling yourself whatever it takes to keep your party following its current disastrous course, and the Dems will be in power for a looooong time.
The expression on Darth Cheney's face in that Rose Garden photo begs for a caption.
Posted by: Elanor | November 9, 2006 3:16 PM
"What they think doesn't matter anymore............thank you Lord"
Last time I checked, Republicans still controlled the executive branch and enough seats in Congress to bullet-proof any veto. You'll get nothing done without considering what "they think".
It also looks like your majority in the Senate is subject to the whims of a Senator your ilk tried to kick out of the race in Conn. He doesn't share your view of the "fake" war.
I see you've learned so much from this election. Keep that open mind of yours.
Posted by: John G. | November 9, 2006 3:40 PM
I think the voters of this country have finally
had their voices heard loud and clear--ENOUGH!
Change is a wonderful thing that hopefully will help to mend the broken fences this country has all too many of not to mention the Iraqi War at the top of the list. It's definitely going to take time to repair the damage done but it can be done. Hopefully those who are elected will take their job seriously and get over the petty
political bickering and do the right thing no matter which side of the isle they sit on. The good of the country and its citizens should come first but all too many times its the good of those who hold political office and that has to
stop. Hopefully this will be the beginning of a new era.
Posted by: Renee Slattery | November 9, 2006 3:42 PM
This is just step one people. Real change takes time.
Only the pres can stop the war, the only option the dems have would be to cut off funding, not a likely thing to happen at this point.
It'll take more than 2 or 4 or 6 years to put the country back to togther structually, economically, sensibly. Long terms plans must be enacted that the public and it's leaders need to debate on and discuss.
But i'm sure there will be a new sex scandel or celebrity divorce next week.
Lets see if we've learned anything.
Posted by: Tom | November 9, 2006 3:56 PM
c. Morris,
You hit the nail on the head!
We can use your "start playing nice" idea with the terrorists. I'm sure that's the one idea nobody thought would work.
jj
Posted by: jj | November 9, 2006 3:57 PM
I could not agree more with my good friend Morris when he writes, "Long live moderation." and I am fanatical in support of that concept.
RRB-American Dem
Posted by: RRB | November 9, 2006 3:59 PM
It is enough for me that the current occupant has been deprived of his rubber stamp. The beauty of divided government is that the extremist whack-jobs that live on both sides of the aisle cannot implement their dangerous ideas.
If the only "governing" that the D's do is to check the bad ideas from the R's, then the country will be better off. It is only a shame that the R's have had 6 years of uncontested mischief making. The price of their hubris will be decades in the paying.
Come 2008, I pray that neither party wins everything. Long live divided government!
Posted by: DGee | November 9, 2006 3:59 PM
How disingenuous of Mehlman to try to take credit for listening and responding to the voice of the people. It is also very condescending.
Mehlman's was one of the least accommodating voices during the last several campaigns. His statements are usually consistent with the Bush regime policy of no accountability, and no admission of error. As the head of the most corrupt version of the Republican party in my half-century of life, the best statment he could make on its reform is his resignation.
Like all Republicans, he should expect no forgiveness for attempting to dismantle this country for the last six years. But of course, there will plenty of mercy to be found by Mehlman from ones far more gracious than myself, not to mention acceptance of his hidden homosexuality should he come out. And that's the side of liberalism that conservatives will never understand, despite their claims to the moral high ground, they still regard mercy as sign of weakness.
Posted by: mg | November 9, 2006 4:06 PM
The question is: Has the message been received by the media?
Do your jobs.
Posted by: Jeff Elijah | November 9, 2006 4:10 PM
My initial reaction over the election is not to gloat or dance in the enzone. It's more like," thank God there are still enough thoughtful, intelligent people in this country to know how destructive this administration and a rubber-stamp congress have been to the nation and it's institutions and laws, and be motivated enough to do something about it(with the exception of Utah). A few things I'd like see the new congress address besides the big issues of Health Care, Job Security, Immigration, Medicare Drug Plan changes, earmarks, deficit spending, global warming, pollution, oil dependence, ect.(Big list , huh?) 1.Fix loopholes in proceedural rules in Congress so roll calls can't be held open for hours while the Tom Delay's of the world pressure, cajol, and bribe members of congress to change their votes. 2.Put an end to large Omnibus Bills stuffed with earmarks and delivered at 3 A.M. for a vote. 3.Prevent congressional members(or staff) from "slipping in" last minute provisions to bills that were not reviewed in committee. 4.Put an end to "sham" open commitee meetings where the press is invited in for a five minute photo-op, then the meeting is adjourned while the majority party scurries off to an undisclosed site to reconvene without the "inconvenience of minority particapation. 5.End the practice by the majority party of preventing meaningful minority participation on bills that don't rate the approval of the majority caucus. 6.Demand that potential Judicial Candidates and other appointees get grilled, and are forced to respond to questions regarding their experience, their opinions, their prejudices, ect. (no softball questions or cheerleading). 7.Prohibit lobbyist from drafting legislation and enact meaningfull lobby reform. 8.Enact meaningful election reform(get the big money out of politics). 9.Give the ethics committee more teeth. 10.Make the workings of Congress as transparent as possible.
Posted by: unlettered | November 9, 2006 4:37 PM
Since Tuesday's election, I have been telling my Republican friends: It's not too late to join the '08 Party -- the Democratic Party !!
People who have two quarters in their pockets and think they are Republicans need to understand that the Democratic Party is the party of the middle-class in America.
Posted by: Levi Rickert | November 9, 2006 5:00 PM
Cheney and Bush are still in the White House, so I don't think Ken got my whole message.
Posted by: Tom O | November 9, 2006 5:13 PM
That's NOT RRD. I made the mistake too.
RRB is somebody else. RRD wouldn't have made a signing mistake.
Also, wrong structure and syntax.
Bryan,
Now the ability for the Senate to filibuster becomes critical, and demonstrates the occasional genius of our system.
Posted by: c.Morris | November 9, 2006 5:16 PM
Aah, you doctrinnaire left-wing progressives are acting right up to form. Count on this: Go overboard with an agenda that guts the military, caters to the terrorist set and their ACLU sympathizers, gives amnesty to those 12 million illegals and all the other items on the "progressive" wishlist and you'll be turned out on your rear ends in 2008. The voters didn't vote in your "progressive" agenda - they voted against partisan gridlock, pork, corruption and a post-campaign pacification program in Iraq that has to rank as one of the most inept examples of statecraft in modern times. Your party is just as guilty of these sins as the Republicans - and you have plenty of idealogues who'd rather engage in a bloodletting orgy of "payback" then curing what's ill with the nation. Climb off your self-annointed highchairs - you don't hold ANY moral highground yet.
Posted by: Wolfgang | November 9, 2006 5:36 PM
Easy there, Wolfgang. You're suffering from a Limbaugh/Hannity/Malkin overdose. There was really only one member of the Defense Department that Democrats wanted to gut and he just resigned. Terrorist catering was never on the agenda. (They don't serve the little bacon wrapped sausages everybody likes.) The Democrats have been awfully fond of pork in the past, but I'm hoping six lean years has taught them the value of moderation. As for idealogues and bloodletting orgies, the Democrats can't be held responsible for what Cheney does on his "hunting trips".
Posted by: Tom O | November 9, 2006 8:12 PM
The real measure as to whether the Republican got the message will be in how they handle the waning days of their control over the House and Senate. Do they defer pressing business until January? Do they take a bi-partisan approach to addressing the most pressing issues? Or do they continue with "business as usual (or as has been)" until the end of the session?
Two out of three choices will demonstrate that they truly did get the message on Tuesday. If they choose the third option (business as usual), they will show that they have indeed not gotten the message or learned anything in the past week. My cynical side says that egos (though now largely deflated) will not allow them to make the right choice. But who knows? Wonders never cease...
Posted by: BRT | November 9, 2006 9:09 PM
Wolf Gang,John G.,
Personally,I'm just a weaknee'd loony liberal lefty who's afraid of all of you big bad gasbag NeoNuts.
So,with all do respect,I want to see the Dems investigate,impeach,slice n dice,and gut every last one of the Corrupt Wingnut Party Congress members,including Prez Chimpy,and Vice Dictator Cheney.
But since that would be acting like the current Idiot in Chief,and his now X-Rupperstamp Republican Congress members,I think the Dems will take the high road,and just let you little Neonuts crawl back in your holes.
Posted by: John E. | November 9, 2006 9:51 PM
"MESSAGE RECEIVED", reminds us of,"MISSION ACCOMPLISHED". Hopefully, it does not contain the same hollow meaning.
Posted by: mike owens | November 10, 2006 5:45 AM
A quote attributed to Ronald Reagan occurred to me: "Trust, but verify".
Also, one by Tom Clancy comes to mind, which describes that it's not likely that somebody will change his character. The exact wording can't be repeated here.
It's too much to expect that Bush would do a 180 once the election is over. For him to take this country to where the electorate turned against him last Tuesday, and then react by dumping Rumsfeld, suddenly taking in several of his father's advisors, and trying to convince the country that he all of a sudden "gets it", doesn't make me feel real comfortable.
His claim Wednesday to have heard the American people has as much sincerity as a felon who says he's sorry he got caught.
Democrats, shake his hand, but make sure he doesn't have a knife in the other hand.
Watch him closely.
Posted by: John Barry Leonard Jr. | November 10, 2006 7:15 AM
Wolfgang, I am sure you think that you have neatly defined the progressives but I don't know anyone among my progressive friends who believes any of that crap. So try again.
Posted by: Catherine | November 10, 2006 11:27 AM
Maybe the Dem takeover will lead to more of the same old, who knows? Sure they will investigate the hell out of the Pubs. Mistakes were made in backrooms away from oversight, and you can't fix something if you dont know how it broke. Some will cry that hearings will be retribution. Thats fine they won't admit or belive mistakes were made
I see a lot of the good things that could have happened in the last 6 years compromised by a pandering to a small section of society. If the new batch wants to change the course of our country they will have to listen to all the voters. The unions once turned out like evangelicals and where are they now? We need a discourse that isn't tainted by lobbyist money or blind faith. Each side has good ideas but America is too diverse to let one side get carried away. If the Dems realize how much they owe this victory to the people, not money and act on it by making real reforms some good can come out of this election. Most of the newly elected dems are pretty progressive, only 5 are pro life but none parrot a party line for self preservation. As much as neocons would like to belive this vote brought us to the right, it has really put us in the center. With different ideas under one tent a real dialog can begin without all the venom that's been spewed recently.Willl the tone change to allow for discourse. Its difficult to compromise with a person that questioned your patriotism or integrity for having another opinion.Change is needed, America spoke and soon enough we'll see if our elected officials speak our language.
Posted by: Bulbtop | November 11, 2006 9:34 AM