WASHINGTON — Republican leaders have unveiled their final midterm message, urging voters to focus intensely on the major issues facing the country while temporarily excluding prices, tariffs, war, presidential controversies, internal party panic and any topic likely to come up in conversation.
The strategy, called Focused Reality, is designed to bring discipline to a campaign season in which the president has repeatedly generated new headlines faster than candidates can print yard signs.
“The American people care about kitchen-table issues,” said a fictional party strategist. “We simply ask that nobody put gasoline, groceries, electricity bills, medical costs or a newspaper on the kitchen table until November 4.”
Republican candidates have reportedly been supplied with a new pocket card listing preferred subjects. These include border security, strength, common sense, unspecified prosperity, and the phrase “what people are really talking about.” The reverse side says DO NOT TURN OVER.
The push comes as Republican officials publicly worry about their midterm prospects and attempt to steer attention toward a stable closing argument while the White House continues producing what political professionals technically call “a lot.”
One consultant compared the challenge to selling a house during a kitchen fire. “You don’t lie about the fire,” he said. “You talk about the crown molding and stand where your body blocks the flames.”
Candidates have also been advised to answer questions about the president by praising his energy, a formulation flexible enough to cover rallies, policy announcements, personnel upheavals and anything involving all capital letters.
Party officials remain optimistic. “Voters are tired of chaos,” said one. “That’s why our message is simple: please stop observing it.”
The campaign plans to repeat that message daily until Election Day or until another event requires a completely different message, whichever comes first.
