Thursday, November 30, 2006

Mehlman in Miami   [Jonathan Martin]

Outgoing RNC chair Ken Mehlman opened up day two of the RGA meeting here in Miami with a strongly-worded speech laying out his vision for how the GOP can regain their status as the majority party — and hinting at why they slipped up earlier this month. Republicans, Mehlman said, "should never be the party of Washington, of government, of bureauacracy, of earmarks." It should be a party, he later added, that kills "a bridge to nowhere" in the crib.

Continuing along the same lines, Mehlman told about a dozen governors and a ballroom full of lobbyists and operatives that "public service is a sacred trust" and that those who violate that trust, regardless of party, should "pay the price and suffer the consequences." To those who place the power and personal gain above the people, Mehlman said: "We don't want you in our party."

After praising Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Gov-elect Charlie Crist and LG/Sen candidate Michael Steele for their outreach efforts this past cycle (and citing the statistical inroads they made with minority groups), Mehlman reminded the group that the GOP "needs to be growing, not shrinking." Calling for "comprehensive immigration reform," the chairman implored his fellow Republicans to "remember that we're a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants."

On the same theme, Mehlman also alluded to the new regional problems facing the party (singling out New England) and compared them to the same challenges Democrats have faced in the South.

Not surprising given his audience, Mehlman's remarks on what is taking place in state capitals were much more generous than his analysis of what has happened on Capitol Hill. He said the governors were moving forward the sort of policy that should be replicated in Washington, and offered specific praise for one governor's health care initiative. Gov. Mitt Romney's plan, Mehlman said, is "exactly the kind of innovation we need at the state level and exactly the kind of innovation we need" at the national level.

11/30 10:28 AMShare