Alarm bells for House GOP: The Swamp The Swamp Posted May 15,
2008 6:24 AM The Swamp  by Jim Tankersley      Read the full
story in today's Chicago Tribune.  "What we've got right now is
a deficiency in our message and a loss of confidence by the
American people that we will do what we say we are going to do,"
Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), chairman of the National Republican
Congressional Committee, said in a conference call with
reporters.  Freshman Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) likened the
climate to 2006, when Democrats surged to control of the House
and Senate. "There's a lot of dissatisfaction with the direction
of the country," he said. "No incumbent should underestimate the
attitude of the American people, Republican or Democrat."  The
parties share power in Washington. Polls show Bush and Congress
faring dismally in voter approval ratings, driven by anxieties
from a slowing economy and continued dissatisfaction with the
Iraq War. But politicians and analysts say it appears, at least
at this point in the campa