A guide for Republicans in 2014

by Jennifer Rubin,

The latest CNN poll has good news for Republicans: They haven’t blown the 2014 election — yet. “Democrats a month ago held a 50%-42% advantage among registered voters in a generic ballot, which asked respondents to choose between a Democrat or Republican in their congressional district without identifying the candidates. . . . But the Democratic lead has disappeared. A new CNN/ORC poll indicates the GOP now holds a 49%-47% edge.” There are some Senate seats previously not thought to be in play, which are now competitive. The Senate therefore is winnable for the GOP, provided the GOP plays its cards correctly.

Here are 10 steps for Republicans to follow to victory:

1. Make a budget deal.

2. The House should pass a reasonable immigration reform bill that can honestly be seen as an effort to address border security, availability of high- and low- skill workers and treatment of those here illegally.

3. Nationalize the election.

4. Rally around an Obamacare alternative plan, if not actual legislation.

5. Republicans should ensure that every Democratic incumbent who has supported the Obama agenda is called to account.

6. The National Republican Senatorial Committee, elected Republicans and third-party groups need three criteria for choosing Senate nominees: Electability, electability, electability.

7. When candidates get the urge to talk about God, rape and abortion (separately or collectively) they shouldn’t.

8. Gay marriage is no longer a federal issue so there is no need to say anything other than “I trust the people of my state to figure it out.”

9. Forget about tax and entitlement for now. It’s not happening so long as Obama is in office. Those are issues for 2016.

10. Make a list of every blown Senate race since 2008 (e.g. Todd Akin, Sharron Angle) as a reminder that Republicans lose when they behave foolishly.

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