ANALYSIS-Republicans see opportunities in 2010
WASHINGTON, Sept 21 (Reuters) – When Republicans see signs that Americans are having doubts about President Barack Obama’s healthcare proposals and economic policies, they see opportunity as they plot strategy for 2010 elections.
Cuffed around in the 2006 and 2008 elections by Obama’s Democrats, the Republican Party is looking for a way out of the political wilderness and many in the party think Obama himself may hold the key.
While Obama is not up for re-election until 2012, the congressional elections in November 2010 are likely to be seen as a referendum on his leadership.
Democrats believe an economic rebound and a healthcare insurance deal will put Obama in a stronger position by the time the 2010 election rolls around.
But with the U.S. economy still limping along and Americans worried about trillions of dollars of new spending to rescue it and pay for a healthcare overhaul, Republican leaders say the party stands a chance to pick up seats in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives an the Senate.
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, a potential 2012 Republican presidential candidate, told Reuters that it was vital for Republican candidates in 2010 to “not just talk about our principles but hold true to them.”