John Baer: It's giddy-up time for the GOP as wild enthusiasm overtakes them
I KEEP HEARING how giddy Republicans are, and since this is usually a serious, even dour, bunch, I have to see for myself.
I KEEP HEARING how giddy Republicans are, and since this is usually a serious, even dour, bunch, I have to see for myself.
I do. They are. What a difference an election cycle makes.
At a weekend gathering in Harrisburg, I find state GOPers, like national counterparts, sensing sweeping wins five weeks from now.
They talk of take-back victories in races for Senate, governor, state House and in multiple congressional contests.
There's hype, hoopla, a little goofiness and hints of braggadocio.
Why not? The economy stinks. The White House, Congress and governorship all are in Democratic hands. Republicans are sure to benefit.
Michael Meehan, southeast caucus chairman, tells a hotel ballroom full of the faithful that his region is sending "10 or 11" new Republicans to the state House and "at least" two more GOP congressmen to Washington.
He then waves a Phillies towel. The crowd goes wild. Enthusiasm's everywhere.
"I'm seeing enthusiasm, excitement that I haven't seen," says Robyn Sye, of Titusville, northwest caucus chief and 25-year committee member. "People are finally recognizing their elected officials affect their pocketbook."
Central counties caucus leader Dick Stewart calls his area "very energized" and says that one Franklin County woman volunteer single-handedly made 900 pro-party phone calls in a week.
So the party that just two years ago was beaten by "hope and change" now hopes it's bringing on change of its own.
"I'm so excited about seeing this energy, this enthusiasm, this turnout," Senate candidate Pat Toomey says in a speech. He quotes Ronald Reagan: "This is a time for choosing," and says that it's time to choose against "the most extreme leftward lurch this country has ever seen."
He gets a standing ovation.
Problem is that Reagan's "time for choosing" speech was given in October 1964 on behalf of Barry Goldwater, who went on to lose to LBJ in one of the biggest landslides in American history - maybe not the best touchstone to use.
On his way out, I ask Toomey if he has one concern in the final weeks against Democrat Joe Sestak, whom he currently leads in polls.
Toomey says, without hesitating: "Supporters becoming complacent."
I note that polling shows GOPers more likely to vote than Democrats.
"I agree," says Toomey, with a smile, "but you insisted on an answer."
(I find that it's really the only way to get one.)
Guv candidate Tom Corbett rails against state spending, debt and the state's "9.3 percent unemployment rate, the highest in 30 years."
It's actually 9.2 percent, down from July's 9.3, highest in 26 years.
(It was 9.4 percent in May 1984. The "highest in 30 years" was 12.9 percent, March 1983, according to U.S. Labor Department data.)
But, no matter: The crowd cheers and hoots, even seems pumped by palaver such as "we will be the standard of excellence" in job creation and "the largest energy producer in the world."
Take that, China!
And while Toomey stresses that victory is "within reach but not in hand," Corbett isn't so shy. "I will be elected governor," he tells the crowd.
On his way out, I ask Corbett the same thing I'd asked Toomey about concern.
He responds: "Do you mean regrets?" (I imagine that he's had a few.) I repeat the question, emphasizing the word "concern."
He pauses several seconds, seems stumped, then comes up with: "I need more votes than he does. It's very simple."
The "he" would be Democrat Dan Onorato. And Corbett's answer is indeed simple. But, hey, he's up double-digits, has twice as much money in a race with little attention and probably all he needs to do is just continue to breathe.
(Corbett/Onorato debate this evening in Hershey at a Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry event; it's live on PCN, 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
So, yes, the GOP's fired up. Its official "Tan Man," would-be Speaker John Boehner, spoke Friday night in front of a red banner that said: "Fire Pelosi."
But I didn't see or hear anything about the mosque, gay marriage, birthers, abortion or other edgy issues that can rile Democrats.
This GOP seems focused, on message and, yep, even giddy.
Send e-mail to baerj@phillynews.com.
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