Political Punch
Power, pop, and probings from ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper
Jake Tapper is ABC News' Senior White House Correspondent based in the network's Washington bureau. He writes about politics and popular culture and covers a range of national stories.
RECENT POSTS
- Obama Team Hocks Obama-Themed Stocking Stuffers, Health Care Conversation
- Subversive Xmas Tree Ornament Won't Hang from White House Tree
- Obama to Nominate Bill Richardson as Secretary of Commerce
- Obama Attempts to Ease Governors' Economic Worries
- Charlie's Interview with President Bush
- Oh, That Joe! (No. 45 in a Series): The Loquacious Blue Hen is Gracious to the Spunky Maverick
- Louis Caldera to be Director of White House Military Office
- Obama Sits Down with State Guvs to Stem Economic Slowdown
- The Spectre of a Senator Chris Matthews (D-Penn.)
- Clinton On the Case
MONTHLY ARCHIVES
« Previous | Main | Next »
Philly-style
August 15, 2006 4:22 PM
As go the Philadelphia suburbs, so goes the nation?
Check out this mailer from Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick, R-PA, given to me by David Chalian of our political unit....It says a lot about where a Republican feels he may have to posture to hold on to his seat.....
FRONT PAGE (CLICK HERE): "Congressman Fitzpatrick says NO to both extremes:
"NO TO PRESIDENT BUSH'S 'STAY THE COURSE' STRATEGY....
"AND NO TO (Democratic challenger) PATRICK MURPHY'S 'CUT AND RUN' APPROACH."
On the SECOND PAGE, an apparent attempt to remain invited to the White House Christmas party, when Fitzpatrick says he "believes our Commander in Chief is sincerely trying to prevent future 9-11s."
"But," it continues," like many Americans, Mike Fitzpatrick has grown increasingly frustrated by the costs...of the Iraqi conflict."
PAGE THREE gives good news to those in Camp McCain. After distancing himself from Bush, we're told that Senator John McCain is "the leader Mike Fitzpatrick considers most knowledgeable in military matters...has said there is no susbsitute to success for America in Iraq. Mike Fitzpatrick agrees with Senator McCain."
But not with President Bush? The man with the "extreme" position? The Commander in Chief who is "sincere" but doesn't know as much about the military as a senator from Arizona?
PAGE FOUR...again, the "extreme" thing about the President...
Curiouser and curiouser...
more later
jt
August 15, 2006 | Permalink | User Comments (3)
Cordelia and chuck - Fitzpatrick's district is in NE and suburban Philadelphia, not the Alabama part of PA. Fitzpatrick won in 2004, but his district voted for Kerry (and Gore in 200). The dance Fitzpatrick has to do is not so much a saving of his political hide as it is an evil necessity of representing a swing district.
Posted by: phillygirl64 | Aug 16, 2006 3:02:09 PM
I wouldn't get too excited. This is Pennsylvania - a swing state - not Bush's base. Don't forget how excited New Hampshire was about McCain in the republican primary back in 2000. That didn't translate nationally.
On the other hand, wouldn't it be nice if the "extremist" label stuck elsewhere in the country. One can only hope...
Posted by: cordelia525 | Aug 16, 2006 8:55:06 AM
It certainly seems curiouser and curiouser that Rep. Fitzpatrick has to put himself through such contortions to distinguish himself from the administration's position which he's so far supported. The mailing tries to separate the Congressman from the "stay-the-course" supporters and the "cut-and-run" supporters, but doesn't seem to provide any information as to what he DOES stand for, other than supporting Sen. McCain. Is his idea of future foreign policy to be character-driven without any particulars, or is he just doing this to save his political hide? Strange political times we live in!
Posted by: chuck | Aug 16, 2006 8:06:31 AM
Post a comment
