The Republican Party has a strong reputation for being able to get its voters to the polls.
In this election, the party will need to do as well as it's ever done.
The President's popularity is down and the Republican candidate for governor has yet to make an impression in the polls.
Yesterday in Manchester, the GOP kicked off its get out the vote campaign with a rally featuring First Lady Laura Bush.
New Hampshire Public Radio's Dan Gorenstein traveled to Manchester and filed this report.
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:06 Good afternoon everybody fired up? Let's hear it!...there is a clear difference on how we defend our country...(fade down)
Congressman Jeb Bradley urged on the crowd of 250 party loyalists.
He was joined by Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Coburn and U.S. Senator John Sununu.
Each warming up the faithful for First Lady Laura Bush.
13:31 thanks to each and every one of you for supporting Congressman Bass and Bradley. Thanks especially to all the volunteers for knocking on doors and making phone calls...
Mrs. Bush told the crowd they needed to spend the next week working tirelessly to elect Republicans.
She said, in Iraq and Afghanistan there is much riding on these mid-term elections.
The First Lady talked about visits she and the president have had with soldiers.
10:57 from our troops, and their families the President and I hear the same request, that we honor the sacrifice of these men and women and see the mission through.
The GOP get out the vote effort has long been considered the Grand Old Party's ace in the hole to help stem any Democratic momentum that might exist.
But the buzz among pollsters and pundits is that the problems in Iraq have dampened Republican enthusiasm.
That's bogus as far as Hooksett resident David Ross is concerned.
:27 I think it's a prophecy trying to fulfill itself. You tell a lie long enough, often enough, people start to believe it...it's a pretty clear attempt to discourage voters.
Ross says he's more motivated this year than 2004 because he's concerned about the role the judiciary is playing in government.
Beverly Miller and Christine Williams from Bedford believe the GOP events over the next week will make a difference come Tuesday.
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:13 I think it's great in connecting with the people sending out Laura Bush...Friday we got Rudy Guliani...it's a good strong effort.
Both Miller and Williams have agreed to volunteer to work the phones to support GOP candidates.
Not everyone is as confident as Miller and Williams.
Manchester resident Kathleen Cusson-Cail says she doesn't know which party will be happier next week, but she's not expecting much civic engagement.
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Kathleen Cusson-Cail
3:52...the results of the primary were extremely, extremely low. So I just think that is going to carryover for November. I think that set the tone...I don't think party has anything to do with it. I don't think the difference between Lynch and Coburn have anything to do with it. it's the tone.
When asked if she was worried about Democratic gains this year she said, 'no more than any other year.
For NHPR News, I'm DG.
