While some of the city’s Democrats were looking back to 2008 at the screening of HBO documentary “We the People,” Republicans were basking in their moment.
At the ESPN Zone on Tuesday night, the energy at the Republican Governors Association election party was palpable and totally different than last year’s mood.
A crowd filled with Hill staffers, RGA staff and big donors, along with conservative activists and House Minority Leader John Boehner, celebrated in what some described as “a landslide” because of the Republican victories in Virginia and New Jersey.
The night hit a high point when New Jersey Republican Chris Christie’s win was announced, with giddy staffers bouncing like cheerleaders to the results. But overall most were impressed by an appearance by RGA chairman and rumored vice presidential hopeful Haley Barbour.
Barbour offered this comparison: For 2010 to be like 1994, you need 2009 to be like 1993 — encouraged by gains in governorship, senatorial and mayoral elections in 1993, the GOP took back the House and Senate in the Republican revolution the next year.
“Why are people giving us enough money to move over $6 million of RGA money in Virginia and $7 million in New Jersey?” Barbour rallied. “Because they know that the policies pursued by the Obama administration is bad for America.”
Republican strategist Matt Mackowiak of Potomac Strategy Group LLC said the real excitement in the room was over relief that recruitment and fundraising for 2010 would be much easier.
“It was a real setback for Obama and congressional Democrats,” Mackowiak said. “Based on what we saw last night, the wind is at our backs.”
Former assistant to George W. Bush and party fundraiser Fred Malek weighed in on the gubernatorial races and the range of the Republican base.
“All in all, if you’re going to be a big tent party, then you’re going to have to embrace everyone from Olympia Snowe to Sarah Palin,” Malek said.
