Sara Taylor, Political Director for the Bush Administration, urged Americans to recognize the President’s achievements and support his current efforts as she spoke to approximately 60 Wisconsin Republicans at the University Club in Milwaukee, October 25.

Taylor, 30, is the youngest political director to serve in political history. A native of Iowa, she gained notoriety as a pollster before entering the White House.
The overall intent of the speech was to rally Republicans and praise President Bush for his success in office so far.

“He does in office what he said he would do in the campaign,” Taylor said.

She criticized the Democratic Party, saying its current leadership under Howard Dean has caused it to become “the Democratic party of ‘no.’”

Taylor expressed dissatisfaction with Dean’s pre-emptive response to the Bush Supreme Court nominees, citing his promise to “fight to the death” even before any nominees were named.

“What does that say about a party?” she asked hypothetically.

Taylor urged Republicans to remember the work it took for the President to be elected November 2, 2004. She said it is important for them to not become complacent and to not take for granted the gained political capital.

“Don’t forget about the obstacles the President had to overcome,” she said. “It’s important to think back on that, reflect.”

The Democrats will be able to strategize before the 2008 elections, she said, so Republicans should not be void of campaign ideas. Taylor called the upcoming race an entrance to “political wildness.”

Taylor touched upon the war in Iraq, prompted the crowd to continue to support the President in his efforts, recognize the war’s effectiveness so far and to understand there is no way for the war to have negative results.

“We’ve attempted and achieved so much in a short time… Failure is not an option in Iraq,” she said.

She also addressed the upcoming gubernatorial campaign in Wisconsin, in which there are current two Republican candidates: Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and State Representative Mark Green. Although some consider the state Republican party to be divided over the two candidates, Taylor said the party will stand firm through the election.

“The day the primary is over, we’re all together,” she said.

One of the most effective ways to make sure Republicans are not defeated by the Democratic candidate for governor, current Democratic governor Jim Doyle, is to stay involved in the grassroots campaigns, she said.

Taylor spoke in place of Andrew Card, the White House Chief of Staff, after his speaking engagement was postponed due to Hurricane Wilma relief efforts. He will speak in Milwaukee in January.

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