Dick Morris, the controversial political consultant who advised President Clinton for 20 years, is offering some advice to embattled Republican U.S. Senate candidates across the country in a column in Human Events.
In a word . . . Triangulation.
Zip it on Iraq, and talk about homeland security, so says Morris.
"Bush and the Republicans under attack -- Sens. Mike DeWine, Conrad Burns, Lincoln Chafee, Jim Talent and Rick Santorum, and numerous House members -- need to talk about the Patriot Act, the NSA wiretaps and the resources allocated to homeland security. They should talk about Iraq only when asked, and then only briefly. Yes, the war in Iraq is connected to the War on Terror. Obviously, al Qaeda is behind many of the attacks in Iraq. Obviously, the streets of Baghdad are the alternative to Manhattan as the place in which the War on Terror is waged. But, equally obviously, it is political suicide to insist on drawing the connection. So, Republicans: Don't even think about it!"
Morris believes the Democrats are still vulnerable on national security issues, like the Patriot Act and NSA wiretapping. He urges the G.O.P. to keep focused on the risk of domestic terror.
If this isn't a cynical ending line, I'm not sure what is:
"Republicans can't afford to insist on being re-elected for the right reasons. But if they take what American public opinion is prepared to give them, they can yet salvage this election."
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