House Republicans unveil online ‘megaphone’ for voters

House Republicans may have the wind at their backs heading into the fall elections, but they know that polls show many voters still don’t like the GOP any more than they like the Democrats.

So to improve their image — and strengthen their bid to win control of the chamber — House Republicans on Tuesday opened a virtual town hall meeting online to solicit input for a broad GOP governing strategy, an update to Newt Gingrich’s “Contract With America,” which shaped the Republicans’ message when they took over the House in 1994.

“The purpose of this project is to give the American people a megaphone to speak out,” said House Minority Leader John A. Boehner of Ohio.

But the party may be playing with fire. There are sharp divisions within the GOP — and between the party and many independent voters. The public attempt to develop a consensus may expose those fault lines.

Moreover, voters appear to be in a surly mood toward Washington, which is one reason Republicans unveiled their new effort in a museum instead of using an iconic backdrop such as the Capitol or another federal landmark.

The party’s mission is further complicated by the power of the “tea party” movement that is pressuring the GOP to shift even further rightward toward positions that many rank-and-file GOP lawmakers do not want to see attached to their brand.

In fact, within minutes of the Republican website’s unveiling, the Democratic National Committee pounced on submissions, including one that suggested the repeal of civil rights provisions. House Republicans said they removed a handful of inappropriate comments on Tuesday, including that one because of a reference to Hitler.

“People can have ideas we don’t agree with,” said Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield, who is leading the House campaign. He expects a “civil discussion about the nation’s challenges.”

Aides said that when the White House conducted a similar online outreach to set priorities during President Obama’s transition to office, one of the top suggestions was to legalize marijuana, which the incoming Obama administration politely rejected.

Republicans in Washington have different opinions about the best strategy this fall, and Senate Republicans have not taken up a similar initiative. Some Republicans argue that maintaining the strong anti-Obama stance they have held since the president took office is valuable currency heading into November’s election. Although the party needs a platform, publicly debating thorny policy details opens it up to Democratic attacks.

But supporters say Republicans must answer the grass-roots frustration that Washington is not listening to ordinary Americans.

Democrats pounced on House Republicans’ use of office funds, rather than campaign accounts, on the online effort, saying it should not be paid for on the taxpayers’ dime.

Republicans said the site cost about $20,000 to establish and is being monitored by a dozen congressional staff members. Whether the website stays open after the fall elections is “for the next Congress to take up,” Boehner said.

lisa.mascaro@latimes.com