The Winston Group

Politico reports on the GOP leadership retreat that took place in Baltimore over this past weekend, and states that there was a general goal to unify under one message. Among diverging opinions on what that message should be, The WG’s David Winston presented evidence that it should remain on creating jobs:

Perhaps most striking was Winston’s messaging advice: It showed that GOP talking points over the past year have been largely useless. A recent poll that he presented in a slideshow indicated that when considering the 2012 election, 58 percent of the country thinks the phrase ““Where are the jobs?” is more important than what the size and role of government should be, which registers at 37 percent.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/

USA Today writes about the latest Republican debate in Michigan, where candidate and Texas Governor Rick Perry failed to list the third of three government entities that he would get rid of if voted for President. The WG’s David Winston says this slip-up wasn’t going to help Perry’s already slipping poll numbers:

The debate performance didn’t help, Republican pollster David Winston said.
“It was a very difficult thing to watch,” he said. “Anything is possible but this is a really deep hole.”

To read more, turn to usatoday.com

The Olympian writes about the 4th allegation claiming sexual harassment to come out against Republican candidate Herman Cain, just as his poll numbers were doing well. The WG’s David Winston states that likely Republican voters may not necessarily take this news to the polls:

“The electorate is following this election very closely and they are going to think through every piece of information that is put in front of them in the most thoughtful way they can,” he said. “This is an election where everyone is concerned about direction of the country

Read more: The Olympian

The Republic’s Kathleen Hennessy reports on Republican lawmakers’ less than enthusiastic feelings about the GOP 2012 presidential candidates. The WG’s David Winston explains what the candidates need to focus on in order to get more support:

“The challenge for the Republican presidential field is to stay on topic, to let the No. 1 issue be the No. 1 issue,” said David Winston, an adviser to House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio.

To read more, go to therepublic.com

The Christian Science Monitor focuses on Hermain Cain’s recent rise in the polls, as Cain has managed to fall just behind Mitt Romney in the top spot. CS Monitor turned to The WG’s David Winston for a possible explanation why Cain is now doing so well:

“There’s a door open such that people are willing to look at him and his accomplishments,” says Republican pollster David Winston. “Voters want candidates who say what they’ll do and try to lay out solutions.”

To read the full article, turn to csmonitor.com

The WG’s David Winston was interviewed this weekend for a Today Show story on Chris Christie potential run for the 2012 presidential election:

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U.S. News features a piece focusing on Newt Gingrich’s campaign, particularly his “21st Century Contract with America,” an economic plan that shows Americans how he hopes to change the country’s current economic situation. The WG’s David Winston comments:

“What’s that compelling idea that says to the electorate: You should be president?” he explains. “I think that’s what [Gingrich] would like to be able to present; I think that’s what all the Republican candidates would ultimately like to present.”

To read the full article, access it at usnews.com

Wednesday’s Washington Examiner takes a look at the perceived pessimism growing in voters about the prospects for 2012 Republican candidate. But Byron York writes that this unhappiness is something mostly perpetuated by the media, and that voters simply haven’t made their minds up yet, as David Winston says:

“I’m not sure I’ve seen any,” says Republican pollster David Winston. “There is this sense that since we haven’t gotten to a clear, decisive winner, then that means there must be dissatisfaction. But it could mean that people are still thinking it through.”

To read the full article, you can access it at campaign2012.washingtonexaminer.com.