Editors have an old saying that reporters hate to hear: “What have you done for me lately?”

Senate Republicans, it seems, are worried that voters may ask a similar question during next year’s campaigns.

“Elections are about the future,” Senate Republican Conference Chairman Jon Kyl of Arizona said Tuesday.

“People care less about what you did yesterday than what you’re going to do tomorrow.”

Kyl made the comment shortly after Senate Republicans were told by pollsters David Winston and Rich Thau to cut the “happy talk” about past tax cuts and economic growth and focus on holding taxes at current levels and reducing wasteful federal spending.

The pollsters raised a few eyebrows at a GOP Conference meeting when senators learned that in a recent poll about twice as many voters listed balancing the federal budget as a priority as gave priority status to either of the runners-up: collecting taxes or growing the economy.

Despite the fact that Republicans figure to face a tough time of it next year — when they will have to defend 22 Senate seats to 12 for the Democrats — Kyl said he found the polling information encouraging.

“We have it within our own ability to do things and say things to get our voters back,” he said.