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GOP sees strong turnout key to Nov. 7 win
By UPI Staff
United Press International
October 20, 2006

WASHINGTON (UPI) -- Republicans can win the Nov. 7 U.S. elections, party leaders say, but it would take what now seems to be an unlikely strong turnout to do it.

A top Republican pollster, who requested anonymity, referred to "very definitely trouble signs in many states of what we call the 'LRs' -- the lethargic Republicans," the Washington Times said.

The pollster does not think the GOP faithful will go Democratic, but rather just not vote at all.

Meanwhile, efforts to get out the vote are being stepped up, with Election Day less than three weeks away. President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Karl Rove, the president's chief strategist, and others are meeting with conservatives, emphasizing the importance of the mid-term election.

But, some find the message headed in the wrong direction. As Republican media consultant Craig Shirley put it, "It would be nice if the national party started talking about what we are for ... instead of simply trashing the left."

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