GOP Honcho to Hill Hopefuls: Attack Us

Slam both parties and skip convention, lawmaker advises
By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 1, 2008 7:54 PM CDT
GOP Honcho to Hill Hopefuls: Attack Us
John Boehner speaks at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference 2008, Wednesday, June 4, 2008, in Washington.    (AP Photo)

A key GOP lawmaker has urged hopefuls seeking office to fire away—at their own party. Rep. Tom Cole advised fellow office-seekers yesterday to blast the GOP when needed, keep away from incumbents, and skip John McCain's nominating convention. “Don’t be afraid to say you are disappointed in fellow Republicans," Cole said. "Don’t hesitate to be anti-Washington, D.C.”

Cole's advice comes 4 months after Rep. John Boehner told House Republicans to win their districts by linking Democrat hopefuls to Obama and Pelosi. But the strategy failed three times in GOP strongholds. Now some GOP leaders have a similar plan for beating Obama: Tie him to Democrats' plans to curb offshore drilling. Steve Benin calls the tactical replay "very odd" in the Carpetbagger Report. (More Republican Party stories.)

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