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The moon rises behind the U.S. Capitol Dome in Washington.

J. David Ake, Associated Press

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In advance of the midterm elections in November and the 2016 presidential race, Republicans nationally are trying to show they arent just the party of no. They claim to have solutions to problems faced by low- and middle-income Americans. Will the strategy work? We take a look.

Rep. Paul Ryan (Mitt Romneys running mate) has written a book designed to give Republicans a blueprint to reform and improve poverty programs. Is the Ryan plan realistic and practical, or just more conservative rhetoric?

Pignanelli: Republicans have been accused of abandoning the poor. It's the other way around. They never vote for us. Dan Quayle

Congressman Ryan is a prolific creator of proposals that are bold, sometimes problematic and usually generate fervent opposition from the left and right. However, Americans should be appreciative for his courage to wade into the debate with thoughtful ideas.

Last year, I bumped into Congressman Ryan and immediately showered him with critiques and compliments. He was amused and confused. After explaining my background, he responded, "I did not know people like you existed in Utah."

This summer, Ryan unveiled a better version of his previous efforts that comprehends the necessity of government programs while improving efficiency. Several lions of the liberal establishment (including Democratic activist Donna Brazile and former Clinton Secretary of Labor Robert Reich) praised the congressman for providing a framework to build reform. This opportunity must not be squandered. Republicans and Democrats can utilize new ideas to enhance effectiveness of social programs in conjunction with needed increases to the minimum wage and earned income credit.

Webb: Ryans plans arent going to pass Congress anytime soon, but he has emerged as a respected thought leader because his approach incorporates a modicum of practicality and realism and thus can attract some Democratic votes.

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Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb: Are Republicans more than the party of 'no'?

In a midterm election year in which the political climate and map of battleground states clearly favors Republicans, many GOP candidates are nevertheless embracing some Democratic priorities in an effort to win over skeptical voters.

The shift is evident in some of the most contentious Senate and gubernatorial races in traditional swing states as well as decidedly conservative ones such as Alaska and Arkansas where Republican nominees have endorsed increases to the minimum wage, legalizing medical marijuana or granting in-state college tuition to some illegal immigrants.

Even on social issues, an area where the GOP traditionally has hewed to the wishes of its evangelical Christian base, many Senate hopefuls have backed same-sex marriage or over-the-counter access to birth-control pills.

Buoyed by President Obamas deep unpopularity, the Republican Party is positioned to reclaim a national governing majority for the first time in nearly a decade by winning control of the Senate. But Republicans have little margin for error, and most key races remain tossups.

Thats in part because many of those same polls show that voters favor Democrats on several issues, including pocketbook economic concerns and womens reproductive health issues. This has led many Republican candidates to take steps some only in recent weeks to project a more moderate image and try to inoculate themselves from attacks portraying them as extremists.

To win, Republican candidates must offer common-sense ideas that demonstrate compassion and expand their support beyond base Republican voters, said Sen. Rob Portman (Ohio), who has played a major role this year raising money for and advising the GOPs top Senate recruits.

Mathematically, Republicans can take control of the Senate merely by winning in red states. Still, Portman said, even in those states, like Alaska, West Virginia, Montana, the reason our candidates are doing well is they have a broader appeal beyond just the Republican base. Independent voters are the plurality in most of these states.

Many Republican strategists see this as an even more critical imperative heading into the 2016 presidential campaign as well as that years Senate contests. Nine Republicans, including Portman, are up for reelection in 2016 in states that Obama won at least once.

This years move to the political middle will serve as a test for 2016. If these candidates lose, the partys conservative base is likely to blame it on their straying too far from orthodoxy. If they win, it could provide some evidence that the GOP can expand its coalition by reaching to the center.

In the face of sustained attacks from Democrats on issues of reproductive health, Republican Senate challengers in Colorado, North Carolina, Michigan, Minnesota and Virginia have said they support over-the-counter access to birth-control pills.

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In heated midterm contests, GOP candidates explore a move to the middle

Meet the Press host Chuck Todd recently asked the media roundtable: Hillary Clinton would love to see the Senate in Republican hands, going into 2016, wouldnt she? Politico editor Jim VandeHei replied, I think a lot of Democrats would. Mr. VandeHei went on to say that some Democrats would love for senators such as Marco Rubio or Rand Paulto own the dysfunction that would surely follow should Republicans take control of the Senate in November.

I sure hope that no one in Mrs. Clintons orbit, or at the White House, thinks like this. On a superficial level the reasoning sounds right, but the reality is far different.

Imagine what the Benghazi investigations would look like under a Senate Armed Service Committee chaired by Sen. John McCain, with an assist from Sen. Lindsey Graham. With the larger media megaphone and bigger, more experienced professional policy staff that come with control of a Senate committee, things would be much better run and more effective than the circus-like atmosphere that Rep. Darrell Issa specializes in. And in conjunction with the select committee that Rep. Trey Gowdy is heading, its safe to assume that this issue isnt going away anytime soon.

Now consider that on Sunday 400,000 people marched in support of climate change legislation. If the Senate flips in the midterms, a renowned climate-change denier would chair the Committee on Environment and Public Works. And you can bet your last dollar that an investigation of why the White House hasnt approved the Keystone pipeline would be at the top of his agenda and that the former secretary of state would be dragged into that inquiry as well.

Democrats should be careful about what they wish for. If Republicans take over the Senate, Democrats could wash their hands of any responsibility for legislating, but Republicans would still have the power to subpoenaand would not be afraid to use it.

Jim Manley, director of the communications practice at QGA Public Affairs, is a former aide to Sens.Harry ReidandEdward Kennedy.He is on Twitter:@jamespmanley.

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3 Reasons for Democrats to Worry If Republicans Win the Senate

National Chairman, All Progressives Congress, John Odigie-Oyegun

The All Progressives Congress has released its timetable for the nomination of candidates for elective offices on the party platform.

According to the timetable seen by our correspondent in Abuja, on Sunday, the expression of interest forms for all offices will go on sale as from Monday, October 6, 2014.

Those interested in seeking the partys nomination to stand in the presidential, governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and state Houses of Assembly are expected to pick their forms between October 6 and 19, 2014.

Sale of nomination forms for presidential aspirants will commence on October 20 and end on November 6, 2014.

Screening of Presidential aspirants has been slated for between November 10 and 13 while November 14 and 15 are for appeals. The partys national convention is slated for Tuesday, December 2, 2014.

The sale of nomination forms for those interested in the governorship race is slated for between October 20 and November 9, 2014.

Screening of aspirants will hold as from November 10 to 12, 2014 while appeals have been slated for between November 13 and 14, 2014.

Governorship primaries is to hold on Saturday, November 15 , 2014 while appeals emanating from the primaries will be entertained as from November 18 to 22, 2014.

Sale of nomination forms for senatorial aspirants will begin on October 20 and end on November 17, 2014, while their screening will hold between November 19 and 20, 2014.

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APC releases timetable for party primaries

The Canadian Press Published Monday, September 22, 2014 6:09AM EDT Last Updated Monday, September 22, 2014 9:13PM EDT

FREDERICTON -- New Brunswick's Liberals and governing Progressive Conservatives were in an unusually tight race as votes were tallied at the conclusion of an election campaign that was dominated by jobs and the economy.

The Liberals, led by political rookie Brian Gallant, had been the perceived front-runner in the race long before the campaign even began. But the results indicated a much closer contest than polls suggested.

Like his main rival, Tory Premier David Alward, Gallant focused his campaign on employment growth, promising to create thousands of jobs by spending $900 million over six years to pave roads, repair bridges and upgrade other infrastructure.

By contrast, Alward sought a second mandate by committing to spur economic growth through expansion of the province's relatively new but contentious shale gas industry.

Alward's position was polarizing in the province, where public protests have raised concerns about the industry's use of hydraulic fracturing.

But Alward, 54, said New Brunswick is on the verge of $10 billion in private investment if it develops its deposits of shale gas and welcomes the proposed Energy East Pipeline, which could see oil shipped from Alberta to Saint John.

Alward and Gallant were both elected in their ridings by wide margins. But six of Alward's cabinet ministers went down in defeat.

With a large number of polls reporting results, the Liberals were leading and elected in 25 ridings compared to the Tories with 23.

Green Leader David Coon had a small lead in a close three-way race in the riding of Fredericton South.

Link:
Liberals and Tories in close race after early returns in N.B. election