GOP 'rebranding' campaign a letdown so far

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- A much-publicized U.S. Republican Party "rebranding" effort begun this spring has been a letdown so far, political analysts say.

The National Council for a New America attracted wide news coverage when it was launched by U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., at an Arlington, Va., pizza restaurant in May, but since then it hasn't held a single public event, the Washington publication Politico reported Tuesday.

The effort, meant to change the GOP's public image in the wake of devastating losses in Congress since 2006, has been hampered by ethics rules because the Council being run out of Cantor's office, making it harder for its officials to organize events and seek partnerships. Even so, it is attracting critics who contend that Cantor is violating the spirit, if not the letter, of ethics rules, Politico said.

Former GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee has also mocked the group for holding a "listening tour" within the Washington "bubble," the publication said.

Cantor spokesman Brad Dayspring told Politico the timing of the Council's announcement was perfect for maximum exposure, but added, "Once the organization established credibility, we never operated under any time table. That notion is partisan spin designed to set false expectations."