Republicans Set Ambitious Agenda for Convention in New York

In a bid to shift the narrative ahead of the Republican Convention in New York, President Bush's aides have outlined an ambitious agenda that will focus on painting Senator John Kerry as untrustworthy and out of the mainstream, while presenting a "compassion" theme as the return of a mainstay of Mr. Bush's 2000 campaign. The convention will offer a decidedly more moderate face for the president and his party, marking a contrast to the conservative tone of recent months.

Key Takeaways:

• The Republican Convention in New York will feature a lineup of speakers that includes Senator Zell Miller, a Democrat from Georgia who has become increasingly estranged from his party, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, the moderate Republican governor of California, to present a more moderate face for the party.
• President Bush will use his speech to outline expansive plans for a second term, including proposals for health care and tax reform, in an effort to underline what his aides argue is Mr. Kerry's failure to talk about the future at his own convention.
• Republicans are seeking to turn any disruptions to the convention to their advantage, by portraying protests by independent activists as Democratic-sanctioned displays of disrespect for a sitting president.
• The convention plans to showcase the nation's success at weathering the attacks of Sept. 11, with Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former mayor, delivering a speech welcoming the delegates to New York on August 30 devoted almost entirely to the events of that day.
• President Bush's aides are seeking to turn around the damaging perception among many Americans that the country is heading in the wrong direction, in the calculation that renewed confidence about the future would translate into support for Mr. Bush.
• The convention is expected to feature thousands of demonstrators, with Republicans seeking to link Mr. Kerry and the Democratic Party to any disorder.

Statistics:

• 53 percent of registered voters feel the nation is heading in the wrong direction, according to a CBS News poll this week. (Source: CBS News)
• President Bush's approval ratings have been trending downward in recent months, with a Rasmussen Reports poll showing that 52 percent of Americans now disapprove of his performance. (Source: Rasmussen Reports)
• The White House is constrained by budgetary restrictions caused by the deficit, the war in Iraq, and revenue losses from tax cuts, with some Republicans warning against significant new spending. (Source: Congressional Budget Office)
• Independent voters in key battleground states like Wisconsin are concerned about the deficit and put off by what they see as pork barrel spending, according to Representative Paul D. Ryan. (Source: Representative Paul D. Ryan)

Sources:

• CBS News
• Rasmussen Reports
• Congressional Budget Office
• Representative Paul D. Ryan
• Associated Press