From The Morning Grind

Republicans are being urged by GOP leaders to talk about the economy and the Medicare prescription drug plan as they return home for the July 4th Congressional recess. Democrats, too, are being pressed by their leadership to do the same. But the two parties will be selling a different message.

Congressional leaders have armed their colleagues with comprehensive talking points to speak from as they hold public forums and meet with constituents over the next week. At stake is control of Congress and party leaders want to make sure rank-and-file colleagues can eloquently promote their party's agenda and vision, while at the same time casting doubt on their opponents' goals.

"If we don't let our constituents know about our accomplishments, no one will," House Republican Conference Chairman Deborah Pryce (Ohio) writes in a letter accompanying the House GOP's recess packet. "The Democrats are not going to be out there this recess touting our accomplishments for us."

In addition to highlighting an improving economy and the implementation of the Medicare prescription drug plan, Republicans are being told to speak about the successful war on terror and GOP efforts to ease the energy crisis, among other issues.

Democrats are being told to push their "New Direction for America" agenda that includes health care, economic security, college affordability, energy independence and retirement security. Democrats will also be criticizing the GOP's stewardship of Congress over the next week, which House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-California) previewed Thursday during her weekly news conference.

"As we leave this session of Congress and for this recess, I think it is important to note that Republicans have failed to pass an immigration bill," she said. "They have failed to pass a lobby reform bill, and they have failed to pass a comprehensive budget ... they failed to pass the minimum wage."

Amy Walter, senior editor of the non-partisan Cook Political Report, said Democrats and Republicans have a similar goal of trying to convince voters that their respective party is "a problem solver."

"Voters know that Republicans are in charge so they will take the brunt of the blame," she said. "The question in my mind is will Democrats be able to take advantage of voter discontent."

Walter said she thinks Democrats would be best served by continuing to promote the "time for change theme and to focus on the legislative gridlock and problems and say, 'See Republicans are in charge and we need change.'"

For Republicans, Walter said "it is hard to make the stay the course case so you have to change the subject.

"If I were a Republican going home, I would focus on some of the local issues I have been working on," she said. "And I would most likely stay away from many of the national issues."