The images from New Orleans were a horrible public relations disaster for the Republicans,

Republicans have been providing solutions and ideas since the immediate aftermath of the disaster, and have implored Democrats to join us and to focus on getting aid to those in need,'' said Ben Porritt, a spokesman for House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas.

Republicans and Democrats have failed to connect the Iraq disaster to the unmet critical needs of America.

I came from a disadvantaged home. They were Republicans.

We knew their power play was good going into the game. We took too many penalties. That's flirting with disaster.

The premier defining issue of conservative Republicans in this state revolves around family value issues; they are anti-abortion and pro-family. If the vote were just about abortion or homosexuality, straight up, and everyone knew that was the issue at hand, it would pass with an overwhelming, veto-proof majority.