Research Briefing

McDonnell And Christie Lead A Resurgent GOP Into The 2010 Elections

INAUGURATIONS OF MCDONNELL, CHRISTIE MARK BEGINNING OF GOP COMEBACK

TOMORROW: Bob McDonnell Will Be Inaugurated As Governor Of Virginia. (Governor-Elect Robert McDonnell Website, http://mcdonnellinaugural.com/, Accessed 1/14/10)

• McDonnell Will Be The First Republican Governor In Eight Years. “Unofficial results showed McDonnell, a conservative and former state attorney general, with nearly two-thirds of the vote over Democrat R. Creigh Deeds. He will be the state’s first Republican governor in eight years.” (“McDonnell Wins In Va.; Close Race In N.J.” CBS News, 11/3/09)

• With His 59-41 Victory In November, “McDonnell Helped Revive The Republican Party Nationally.” “In winning so overwhelmingly -- 59 percent to 41 percent -- McDonnell helped revive the Republican party nationally but also provided aspiring GOP candidates with a campaign plan for how to win (and win big) in a swing state.” (Chris Cillizza, “Bob McDonnell: Campaign Of The Year,” The Washington Post’s “The Fix” Blog, 12/16/09)

TUESDAY: Chris Christie Will Be Inaugurated As Governor Of New Jersey. (“Gov-Elect Chris Christie Announces Inaugural Theme,” The Press, 12/10/09)

• Christie Became First Republican Elected Governor In New Jersey In Twelve Years. “Last Tuesday, Chris Christie was elected the 55th governor of New Jersey – the first Republican to be elected to statewide office since Christine Todd Whitman in 1997.” (Russ Schriefer, Op-Ed, “Turning New Jersey Red,” Politico, 11/7/09)

MCDONNELL, CHRISTIE RAN AS CONSERVATIVE PROBLEMS SOLVERS BY FOCUSING ON CREATING JOBS, GROWING THE ECONOMY …

McDonnell Earned Voters Trust “By Running As A Problem Solver.” “McDonnell won a landslide … by running as a problem solver … Voters as a whole trusted him more than his Democratic opponent on everything from fixing the roads to strengthening the economy.” (Ramesh Ponnuru, “The Rebirth Of The Republican Middle,” Time, 11/5/09)

Christie Promoted His Problem-Solving Skills Developed As U.S. Attorney That Would Provide Solutions To New Jersey’s Fiscal Situation. “In New Jersey, Christopher J. Christie, a former federal prosecutor, became the first Republican to win statewide in 12 years by vowing to attack the state’s fiscal problems with the same aggressiveness he used to lock up corrupt politicians.” (David M. Halbfinger and Ian Urbina, “Republicans Bask In Glow Of Victories In N.J. And V.A.,” The New York Times, 11/4/09)

McDonnell Focused On Jobs And He “Had The Message Exactly Right.” “And, from the start of the race, McDonnell had the message exactly right: jobs, jobs and more jobs. Everywhere he went, McDonnell talked about not only his commitment to create more jobs in the state but his plan on how to make it happen. His slogan – ‘Bob’s for jobs’ -- was a little cheesy but it undoubtedly stuck in the minds of voters whose number one priority was the health of the economy and the need to bring more jobs to the Commonwealth.” (Chris Cillizza, “Bob McDonnell: Campaign Of The Year,” The Washington Post’s “The Fix” Blog, 12/16/09)

• “Sticking To A Refrain Of Economic Renewal  … [McDonnell] Struck A Chord With Virginia Voters by Promising To Create Jobs And Keep Taxes Low …” (Editorial, “Mr. McDonnell’s Victory,” The Washington Post, 11/4/09)

Despite Attacks From Opponents, Christie Won By “Focusing On The Economic Message And Not Getting Distracted ...” (Russ Schriefer, “An Insider’s View Of Christie’s N.J. Victory,” The Philadelphia Inquirer, 11/15/09)

• “As He Did During The Campaign, [Christie] Signaled … That His Focus Would Be On Bread-And-Butter Fiscal Issues.” (David M. Halbfinger, “Christie Pledges Fight On Taxes And Business Rules,” The New York Times, 11/5/09)

AND WORKED TO COURT INDEPENDENT VOTERS

In Virginia, Independents “Swung Wildly.” “The independent voters who helped Obama in 2008 become the first Democratic presidential candidate in 44 years to carry the Old Dominion have swung wildly in a different direction. The swing from Obama’s win last year to McDonnell’s Tuesday: 23 points.” (John F. Harris & Jonathan Martin, “Democrats, Incumbents Get Wake-Up Call,” Politico, 11/4/09)

• McDonnell “Read The Electorate’s Independent And Swing Voters” And Won “By Broadening His Appeal To Women, Minorities.” (Editorial, “Mr. McDonnell’s Victory,” The Washington Post, 11/4/09)

“In New Jersey, Likewise, Christie Won 58 Percent Of Independents.” (John F. Harris & Jonathan Martin, “Democrats, Incumbents Get Wake-Up Call,” Politico, 11/4/09)

• NBC’s Chuck Todd: “Christie Won By Pulling Independents Into The Republican Column.” “Christie won by pulling independents into the Republican column. Among this key voting group, Christie topped Corzine 58% to 31%. Last year, Barack Obama as the democratic presidential nominee carried New Jersey independents 51%-47%.” (NBC’s The Today Show, 11/4/09)

WITH SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISING LAST YEAR, GOP IS POISED FOR BIG GAINS THIS YEAR

Through First Three Quarters Of 2009, RNC Raised More Money And Has More Cash On Hand Than DNC. “According to the Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks party fundraising, the DNC has raised $62 million through Sept. 30, compared to the RNC’s $69 million. But while the RNC has $19 million in cash and zero debt, the DNC reports $15 million in the bank and more than $5 million in debt.” (Holly Bailey, “Missing In Action,” Newsweek, 10/21/09)

Number Of Donors To RNC In 2009 “Is Off-Election Year Record.” “And in a bit of homage to the way Barack Obama built his campaign machine on the small donor grassroots, the RNC release notes they averaged 2,400 new donors each day, with an average contribution of $36. The number of donors is an off-election year record, the RNC said.” (Christina Bellantoni, “RNC Raises $8.7M And Has No Debt,” Talking Points Memo, 10/20/09)

“Republicans Are Poised For A Strong Comeback In 2010.” “After losing the White House and nearly 70 congressional seats in the last two elections, Republicans are poised for a strong comeback in 2010, with significant gains likely in the House and a good chance of boosting their numbers in the Senate and statehouses across the country.” (Mark Z. Barabak, “GOP Poised For Comeback In Midterm Elections,” The Los Angeles Times, 1/1/10)