The President talked about how he has been able to help with the 2006 races, noting money raised and the party’s turnout efforts. “I can help and if I can’t, Laura can.” He explained, “I’m not going to convince Democrats to vote for Republicans, there might be some Independents I can convince, but the key will be whether Republicans understand the stakes.” He noted that predictions were off in 2002 when there was “no way” the GOP would pick up seats and in 2004 when many thought “he’s gone.” He said, “I’ve got the message and we can see if I can make [it through another] election cycle articulating the difference” between the two parties. He believes that the candidates themselves have to be “steadfast regarding what they thought was right in the beginning.”