Sure of big gains, Republicans ready their agenda

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

Republican leaders, ever more confident of their chances of winning control of the House and possibly even the Senate, have begun plotting a 2011 agenda topped by a push for more than $100 billion in spending cuts, tax reductions and attempts to undo key parts of President Barack Obama’s health-care and financial-regulation laws.

The question is how much of the government-shrinking, tax- cutting agenda to advance and how fast.

It’s certain that Republicans want to capitalize quickly on tea-party- fueled anger and the anti-establishment fervor they believe will provide momentum to accomplish an activist to-do list. It’s equally clear, however, that the outsized expectations of a fed-up electorate and a crop of unruly newcomers could complicate the plans. So could Obama and fellow Democrats who will still be around after Tuesday’s elections.

GOP lawmakers are publicly mum about much of what they intend to do if they prevail in midterm congressional contests. Many say privately they want to avoid appearing to “measure the drapes” for new leadership offices before winning any majority.

But especially in the House — where Republicans have a clear shot at scoring the 40-seat gain they would need for control — they are in intense internal talks about how a GOP-driven agenda would work.

Rep. John Boehner, in line to become speaker under that scenario, and Rep. Eric Cantor, his No. 2, have had initial discussions to ensure a plan is ready, a spokesman said.

Most agree a marquee item on a new GOP majority’s agenda would be an aggressive package of spending cuts, on the order of $100 billion or more, that also could be paired with steps to block implementation of key parts of Obama’s health-care law and new financial regulations.

What’s less clear is how Obama would respond and whether a turbocharged Republican majority could muster a bipartisan compromise.