The American Spectator

Wlady: If the Democrats win control of Congress this year, it won’t be because of the Lamontization of the party, but in spite of it. Republicans have really done a lot to turn off the conservative base in the past two years, and while the Lamontization of the party helps Republicans energize their base, it may not be enough.

Meanwhile, U.S. News’s “Washington Whispers” obtained a GOP strategy memo that includes survey results suggests Republicans may be in good shape with their base come November:

Many Democrats may hate the war in Iraq and itch to dump the president, but a new GOP survey shows that Republican base voters stand ready to jam the November polls to return their team to Congress. A three-page-survey memo obtained by Washington Whispers reveals that despite reports of some dissatisfaction with the economy, the war, and President Bush, 81 percent of Republican voters are “almost certain” to vote and an additional 14 percent say they are “very likely.” It goes without saying that they’ll vote Republican: By a margin of 84 percent to 6 percent, they will pull the GOP toggle switch in the voting booth. And here is something you don’t hear very often: 88 percent of Republicans approve of how the prez is handling his job.