CQ TODAY
May 12, 2008 – 11:01 p.m.
New Motto, Familiar Theme: Republicans Decide They’ll Pitch a Plan for Change, Too

Newt Gingrich had his “Contract With America’’ in 1994.

Nancy Pelosi used her “Six for ’06” pitch to win the 2006 elections.

And now John A. Boehner and his House Republicans have a plan for 2008 — a platform that will be rolled out in installments, beginning Wednesday, with a carefully researched message intended to tap into the current voter mood.

Their motto will be “Change You Deserve.”

Under that banner, House Republicans plan to offer a series of ideas for health care, the economy, energy and security.

GOP leaders developed the platform over the past year, using focus groups to test its appeal and, more recently, consulting with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., to be sure it didn’t stray too far from McCain’s presidential proposals.

With both Democratic contenders for the presidency stressing messages of change, Boehner, R-Ohio, has challenged his members to help get the public to view the GOP as a vehicle for new ideas.

But Boehner spokesman Michael Steel admitted it is a work in progress. “It’s a goal that we can be viewed as agents of change,’’ he said.

Source: CQ Today
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