Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Miles Wolf Tamboli-Talk Radio News Service

Republican leaders in the House of Representatives have developed a new website to enhance American input in Washington policy-making.

"The number one thing that I hear over, and over, and over again everywhere I go is, 'why isn't Washington listening to us?'," said Rep. Candice Miller (R-Mich.) during a media event marking the launch of the website.

Entitled AmericaSpeakingOut.com, Republicans hope that the public will use the site to engage in dialogue and debate with each other, and present fresh ideas.

"America Speaking Out is about trying to enlist the voices and help of the American people, so we can begin by listening and turning around the equation ... to produce an economy and an America that meets with the approval of the American people," said House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.).

"Out of this, the ... Republican members hope to build a governing agenda," said House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-In.).

Some have criticized the Republican Party recently with assertions that leaders are out of ideas and that the party is surviving off of arraigning the Democratic Party, a notion Pence was quick to respond to.

"This is not a political party in search of a keel or in search of principles. It's not a listening tour. House Republicans know what we believe, and at AmericaSpeakingOut.com, we state those openly on the first page."

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) continued; "We know what our principles are. What we're asking the American people to do is to participate with us in terms of how ... we apply those principles."

Others have surmised that the effort is a political move, giving the Republicans a positive image before November's midterm primary elections. Boehner stated that the future of the website depends on the next Congress, implying that the website may not remain active after the elections are over.