WASHINGTON — Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., said Republicans must do a better job of attracting minorities and improving relations with organized labor if the party expects to better compete for independent voters.

“I think our party is still not diverse enough,” he said. “We have lost the line of communication with minorities, and we’ve lost the line of communication with labor.

“I think Republicans have been too narrow in some of the ideological divisions. We have to say, ‘Listen, if you are a Reagan Democrat or you don’t like a liberal agenda, we need to reach out to you.’”

He said Republican lawmakers must tread a fine line between being viewed as too compliant in Congress and too obstructionist.

“We need to be careful as Republicans that we don’t resign ourselves into a permanent minority,” he said. “People want bipartisanship, but they don’t want one-party dominance. But we have to change by not being so strident and abrasive with our division.”

GOP SWEEP RAISES STAKES FOR DAVIS

The recent Republican takeover of the Tennessee House and Senate may have made it easier for Rep. Lincoln Davis, D-Tenn., to decide whether to run for governor.

Republicans gained control of both chambers of the General Assembly for the first time since Reconstruction, and the party in power during the 2010 census will have the authority to redraw congressional district lines. Among those likely to be redrawn is that of Rep. Davis’ rural 4th District in Middle Tennessee.

But Rep. Davis said he still isn’t ready to discuss the gubernatorial race, at least not publicly.

“Obviously, we’re going to have to take a real serious look at whatever I may choose to do politically,” said Rep. Davis, who won his fourth term on Nov. 4. “Right now, I’m just basking in the glow of having won a good victory. I love representing the district. I’m not ready to talk about the governor’s race at this time.”

ISAKSON: POLITICAL WINDS SHOW NO MERCY

Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., said his colleague, Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., was unfortunate to have to face an anti-Republican headwind in his re-election bid, but politics doesn’t allow you to take anything for granted.

“I’ve run for office 16 times,” Sen. Isakson said. “I’ve run in good times and bad times. When your time is up to run, you hit the ground running. Two years from now is going to be a challenge as well, with the economy and gas prices.”

Sen. Chambliss is locked in a Dec. 2 runoff with upstart Democratic challenger Jim Martin in a nationally followed contest that could determine whether Democrats get a filibuster-proof 60-vote supermajority in the Senate.

Sen. Isakson will be up for re-election in 2010.

Compiled by Washington D.C. correspondent Herman Wang.

Comments