Tom Cole on the 2008 election

WASHINGTON — While he said he wouldn’t make a political issue of his belief that violence had decreased in Iraq, U.S. Congressman Tom Cole said improvements in the Iraq war could help Republicans’ 2008 election efforts.

“We will have a better chance if the number of American troops over there is smaller,” he said. “There’s no question that’s helpful politically.”

But Cole, the chairman of the National Republican Campaign Committee, said next year’s elections will be more about “the post-Iraq world” that the current war.

“I believe people will be thinking about health care, taxes and the economy,” he said.

Cole, who returned his week from a four-day fact-finding visit to Iraq, Kuwait and Germany, predicted the 2008 presidential race to be “a close election” which, he said, would work to Republicans’ advantage.

“I think a lot of Democratic members will have cast tough votes. But that’s the nature of politics. Still, I think we’ll have issues and a better political environment.”

And though the GOP’s position is stronger than last year, Cole said that environment “has to get better” before Republicans can regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

“We will need a strong presidential candidate,” he said. “If not it could cause trouble.”

With his seat considered safe by most political experts, Cole has seen his share of controversy.

He denied a rumor that incumbent Sen. Jim Inhofe wouldn’t seek re-election, and he, instead, would run for the seat.

“I have not heard that,” Cole said. “I’d be shocked if he (Inhofe) didn’t run. He’s our senior Senator and he’s been very effective in getting Oklahoma $130 to $140 million more in road money. No, I haven’t heard that.”

Cole also faced criticism over the NRCC’s recent fundraising efforts.

The program — which he said has since been stopped — involved calls from National Republican Congressional Committee staffers who told donors they’ve received the group’s National Leadership Award.

Callers were told they had received the award, then asked to contribute money to support a “media blitz” announcing the honor.

The program quickly became controversial, generating hundreds of web blog listings, e-mails and complaints to the Better Business Bureau.

Cole said the program was in place when he became NRCC chairman and once he became aware of the complaints, the program was changed.

“Some of that stuff was inherited,” he said. “And I thought it went a little beyond pale. Since then things have changed.”

Cole said it “took a while” to stop the fundraising calls, because the NRCC was “locked into several contracts.”

“We have made some changes,” he said. “We’ve got a new finance crew and I have a very different idea about raising money.”
To win, he said, Republicans need strong candidates, a strong message and a good image.

“I try each day to go to the floor and earn back the mantle of a fiscally responsible, free enterprise Congressman,” he said.
“And that’s what it takes. The rest is a mechanical process and good mechanics never trump a strong message and a good image.”