How the GOP needs to change, and how it doesn’t
Tuesday was a brutal night for Republicans.
Incumbent presidents are tough to beat, but Barack Obama was about as vulnerable as they come. The economy is stagnant; his signature legislative achievement is unpopular; his party weathered sharp losses in the midterm elections – by now, you know the litany by heart. Yet Mitt Romney appears to have flipped only two states Obama won in 2008 (pending the final result in Florida).
When political parties lose brutally, a lot of new conventional wisdom crops up. Some of it’s right, some of it’s wrong. Here’s an early take on which is which:
1. Republicans have to move toward the left.
Wrong, wrong, wrong. There are two major political parties in this country in large part because they represent two sets of durable, mainstream beliefs. Sometimes one or the other does a better job of representing its beliefs, but neither ideology will be permanently defeated. Which leads me to …
2. The GOP has to ditch the tea party.
Wrong. Just two years ago, the GOP stopped Democrats’ congressional super-majorities in their tracks thanks to tea partyers. America hasn’t changed dramatically in that time, even if a successful tea-party candidate needs more polish than we’ve seen out of some of them (hello, Christine O’Donnell) to attract a broader audience.
The original animating concern of the tea party — halting the rapid growth of the federal government, from bailouts to debt to Obamacare — could have been a political winner Tuesday. (We don’t have to wait for the historians to marvel that the GOP in 2012 nominated the only guy who couldn’t capitalize on Obamacare’s lack of popularity.)
Romney might have made up for that failing if he’d joined the growing ranks of conservatives who support breaking up the biggest banks to ensure none is too big to fail. His comment during the second debate about his party’s devotion to Big Business at the expense of small businesses was his chance. He didn’t take it. A Republican with 2016 ambitions might, soon.
3. The GOP has to reach out to non-white voters.
This one’s absolutely true. There is plenty to criticize in Romney’s lack of minority outreach, but this is not his problem alone. Nor will it go away if the GOP merely highlights the promising, young, non-white stars they already have, such as Nikki Haley, Bobby Jindal, Susana Martinez and Marco Rubio.
Republicans have to explain why conservative ideas are good for minorities. They can’t simply trot out their ideas and expect minorities to recognize their brilliance when those voters have been told by Democrats, many of them for generations, that those ideas are intended to benefit other (read: white) people. When Republicans fail to engage minority voters, they effectively reinforce the Democrats’ argument.
It will take more than talking, though. It will take action. Here’s an idea about one policy that makes minorities most skeptical about the right: voter ID laws. Why not fight the notion these laws are about suppressing voting, rather than reducing fraud, by taking proactive steps to help put IDs in the hands of the people who think they’re being targeted?
4. Republicans must drop social conservatism.
Wrong. Social conservatism isn’t wholly out of the mainstream. Gallup’s long-term tracking of public attitudes about abortion, for instance, show the pro-life position is as strong as it’s been since Roe v. Wade. What’s out of the mainstream is a social conservative who can’t talk about opposing abortion without sounding as if he’s endorsing the act of rape. That cost the GOP two Senate seats and surely hurt Romney’s standing with some women.
Gay marriage may be different. Older voters who oppose it altogether are being replaced every day by 18-year-olds who couldn’t care less — and who don’t seem to change their stance as they get older. There was a time when Republicans could have pushed civil unions to make all couples equal before the law without changing the traditional definition of marriage. That time may have passed.
5. Georgia Republicans are a few years away from facing some of the same issues as the national GOP.
True, true, true. I’ll explain how they can avoid the same fate in a column coming soon to a blog very, very near you.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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883 comments Add your comment
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 8th, 2012
4:13 pm
Ann Romney doesn’t have to move into that smaller house in DC. LOL
Dusty
November 8th, 2012
4:13 pm
HDB
So Truman wrote his. I wrote mine. Do you have a thought of your own?
cc
November 8th, 2012
4:13 pm
Carving them up:
So, exactly how many “names” do you post under and why? Been banned a time or two?
I thought so . . .
@@
November 8th, 2012
4:13 pm
I’ve been sitting here taking inventory of my diverse group of friends. Not all, just some.
There are my gay friends (couples & singles) who are more concerned about the fiscal health of our country than their right to marry.
There’s my Asian friend (small business owner) who’s more concerned about the fiscal health of our country and overbearing regulations on her business than she is about being a minority.
There’s my black TP conservative neighbor who’s more concerned about the government taking more than they deserve than he is about being black.
Then there’s my Cuban friend (widowed) who’s more concerned about government oppression than she is about her minority status. She grew up in Cuba…she’s unwilling to sacrifice her freedoms yet again.
No single-issue voters in THAT bunch. They care more about the country than they do identity politics. Pigeonholes ain’t their thing.
Carving them up
November 8th, 2012
4:15 pm
cc
What is Rove and Morris telling you today?
thought so
Dusty
November 8th, 2012
4:17 pm
Carving…PUHLEEZE
I’ve heard that “whine” line on wine so many times, my monitor groans when it shows. That’s inhumane!,
Just Passing Through
November 8th, 2012
4:17 pm
The GOP needs to work on its brand. I think we need an image makeover.
In the corporate world we would spin off the entire Southern U.S. portion of the party into a different party.
They could run under their new banner locally, calling themselves Buttchuggists, or something else equally catchy. And of course since they wouldn’t be Democrats they would always win locally (except in those isolated pockets of intelligent/educated people).
Then they could send guys like Zaxby Chambliss and Bob Barr to Washington, and they could just vote along with the GOP.
And when Presidential elections come around their candidate could just drop out at the last minute after using a racial epithet from the pulpit a week before the election, and everyone could just vote republican.
That they was the GOP would not have to associate itself with the Southern inbred section of the party, and people in the rest of the country wouldn’t judge the GOP and would be more likely to vote for the GOP candidate.
It really is a win-win.
No offense, Southerners. I know you want to do what’s best for the party.
bluecoat
November 8th, 2012
4:17 pm
They need to change and put country(USA)before their stubborness,and pettiness.
Todd
November 8th, 2012
4:18 pm
@ @@
And your liberal friends ? Or it this just some rainbow of conservative people .
md
November 8th, 2012
4:18 pm
“And at the end of the day, if you are against abortion (not sure if you are or are not, don’t really care), do not have one.”
You seem to have missed my point……the definitions used to allow abortion are all man made and based on science (viability).
As that viability changes, and those same scientists change the definitions, odds are that “choice” you are speaking of becomes something else entirely……….
Matz
November 8th, 2012
4:18 pm
Dusty,
I have known people of the type you describe. People who don’t particularly care to work, who get jobs from time to time, but don’t put forth the effort to keep them very long, let alone succeed. Selfish people who imagine themselves to be special, and therefore worthy of being supported by others. People who feel they have the right to wait for the perfect opportunity to present itself to them before bothering to commit their unique talents to an actual job. Everything is all about them.
These people are NEITHER DEMOCRATS NOR REPUBLICANS. Every single one I’ve ever met is a apolitical. Registering to vote and bothering to vote are too darn much trouble. Voting isn’t about THEM, so they don’t bother.
There. Fixed your stereotype for you. You’re welcome.
JamVet
November 8th, 2012
4:19 pm
…56 according to your president…
cc, YOUR president, and not OUR president?
Carving them up
November 8th, 2012
4:19 pm
cc
How did that polling oversampling bs theory work for you?
You were lied to and you ate it up. There was never a problem with the polling. Those who brainwashed you with that notion knew it all along.
Why do you think Romney was spending money in MI and PA last week? His campaign and talk radio wanted you to believe he was about to win big, but in fact the Romney internal polling was telling them exactly what those “incorrect pollsters who were oversampling” were saying. OH will be close but Romney will lose.
He was throwing a Hail Mary under the guise of a winning big strategy. You ate it up and went back for more.
Now go back and surf those sites and listen to those same talk shows that sold you that crap…………………. so you can eat it up again.
Atlantan
November 8th, 2012
4:20 pm
We need to learn to campaign like the Democrats – smear, demagogue, lie, espouse fear of a false bogeyman, play on old stereotypes, divide, play on fear of losing govt goodies and then double down.
It would also help if we actively add to the deficit in the trillions, double gas prices in 4 years, increase unemployment by 1/3, make sure we get an ambassador killed while we watch it happen and do nothing and when a national disaster happens – show up, say something strong on TV, get your picture taken and leave and never bother with it again…
Oh yeah, lets treat our allies terribly, but tell our enemies we will be flexible with them.
America has spoken and this is what we want. It is clearly how you win national elections.
JDW
November 8th, 2012
4:20 pm
@Finn…that was a good on two…did you see Maher’s
Mitt to Underwear: Majic my A$$!
JDW
November 8th, 2012
4:20 pm
opps magic
Michael H. Smith
November 8th, 2012
4:21 pm
As I’ve often said, homosexuals could probably get domestic or civil partnerships past into law just about any day of the week (even in Bible belt States) without attaching words like “marriage” and “union” is clearly an attempt to normalize the meaning of something that isn’t the societal norm. Benefits yes, but societal normalization is a non-starter.
The heterosexual union or marriage should remain separate and uniquely identified with certain particular privileges sanctioned by the States beyond that awarded to civil or domestic partnerships for the promotion of responsible procreation between men and women to serve the vested interests of humanity and government.
bluecoat
November 8th, 2012
4:21 pm
Just passing through,this is being corrected.Will take time for the good results of Charter schools to show.
Carving them up
November 8th, 2012
4:21 pm
md
All your twisting and turning is not going to change anything. It might make you feel better about yourself, but don’t be the farm.
If you buy the ruse that is trotted out, so be it. Your choice.
JDW
November 8th, 2012
4:23 pm
@Carving…”Delta is ready when you are. More international destinations than any domestic career. ”
That is great advice for lots of these folks…just remind them if they are considering Canada best not…they have “socialized medicine” and gay marriage is legal.
Jay Money
November 8th, 2012
4:24 pm
Your Hero (Honey Boo Boo) tried to tell ya’ll rednecks to vote for PRESIDENT OBAMA but you won’t listen…
Carving them up
November 8th, 2012
4:26 pm
JDW
The will say you can leave GA if you say anything about the Republicans who run the state, but none are leaving the US. Yet they cry like babies and rant about Obama.
I would say the glaring hypocrisy goes over their heads, however they are fully aware of it an don’t care.
4 more years
November 8th, 2012
4:26 pm
I really love America! Although I am US born, I was just saying I have a plan B if America is dead set on becoming the world’s most heavily indebted poor country.
What is the point of the ant saving and scraping if the grasshopper is going to get everything through welfare? Why not all become grasshoppers? And then who will we steal from?
I was born into poverty and fought my way through college (working full time and got a 4.0 GPA) then worked and paid for my husband to get a master’s and doctorate (he finished both in 2 years and did an unpaid internship 20 hours a week). He got a high-paying job halfway through his doctorate but still finished at the University of Illinois. I knew that he would get a job if people saw how smart he is. Far smarter than me.
I am not saying this to brag, but show the commitment that I have made to throw off poverty.
But I think that we should all take a hard look at our policies or ultimately face a Greece-style collapse.
Michael H. Smith
November 8th, 2012
4:27 pm
Bye-bye, brucie wilcox, keep on singing O’ Canada but Fidel and Hugo will surely feel you have betrayed them.
cc
November 8th, 2012
4:28 pm
Atlantan:
It would also be helpful if we organized a group (let’s call it WALNUT), seek and receive government funds, illegally register non-existent people to vote, post threatening thugs outside polling places, forcibly evict democrat poll watchers from polling places and suppress votes as the democrats did military votes.
jim
November 8th, 2012
4:29 pm
So, at the end of the day, your answer (singular) is to help get voter I.D.s to minorities. The rest of the issues presented stay the same. Good luck with that one Repubs. If that is your take, forget winning any national elections in the near and far future. Now, stick your head back in the sand and pretend it is all going away. It won’t but feel free to pretend.
@@
November 8th, 2012
4:29 pm
Todd:
Plenty of liberal friends. To name a few…
my minister and his wife.
Our choir director and her husband.
My neighbor, the Democrat who supports anything union as well as free abortions for blacks and latinos. He and I don’t see eye to eye on most anything.
Family members from both sides.
Quite a few yellow dog types.
Their main focus? Government safety nets preferably funded by someone other than themselves.
You asked
Hillbilly D
November 8th, 2012
4:31 pm
Mitt to Underwear: Majic my A$$!
Strange that I’ve never heard a similar comment about Harry Reid, who is of the same faith as Mitt.
The Final Solution
November 8th, 2012
4:31 pm
No need for the GOP to change at all, except for a very small one.
Dissolve it altogether.
It fails to serve any purpose whatsoever.
Jay Money
November 8th, 2012
4:32 pm
I move from Atlanta to Orlando in ‘06 before the redneck inbreds completly took over the place, Thank God!
Bruno
November 8th, 2012
4:32 pm
Question for the Lib peanut gallery:
Let’s say that Romney won the election by 1% of the popular vote instead of Obama. Would any of you be here participating in a “What’s Wrong With the Democrat Party” discussion??
Didn’t think so.
md
November 8th, 2012
4:33 pm
“All your twisting and turning is not going to change anything. It might make you feel better about yourself, but don’t be the farm.”
Hmmm……..twisting and turning? There seems to be a disconnect on your end…….I’ll try it one last time.
Yes, abortions are legal…….WITH restrictions. Following me? Sure, you can have one now if you choose………AND the child is less than 24/28 weeks……..
SO, all abortions are not legal, just those within the first 7 months based on the scientific definition of “viability”.
“The Court later rejected Roe’s trimester framework, while affirming Roe’s central holding that a person has a right to abortion until viability.[1] The Roe decision defined “viable” as being “potentially able to live outside the mother’s womb, albeit with artificial aid”, adding that viability “is usually placed at about seven months (28 weeks) but may occur earlier, even at 24 weeks”
So it doesn’t matter what I or You believe, in the future, it will still be based on the ever changing definition of viability…….unless the SC changes that.
Todd
November 8th, 2012
4:34 pm
@ @@
More diverse our friends the better we are for it regardless of where we stand on politics . Good stuff .
splendid splinter
November 8th, 2012
4:34 pm
I couldn’t stand to read ALL the left wing socialists crowing about their win and how the Republicans are all wrong. Well, I got news for you guys – when the Democrats and Obama spend more money than we can borrow from China and bankrupt this country by appeasing all the groups who want something for nothing, there will be a back lash and the voters will come to the Republicans to save their bacon. It happened in 1980 and it will happen again. And not every one is happy with being told not only do we have to pay for everyone’s different lifestyle choices, but we have to accept it and like it. The pendulum will swing the other way. For those who don’t realize it, it’s because you haven’t lived long enough.
Carving them up
November 8th, 2012
4:35 pm
Bruno
Don’t just cry about the liberals. That discussion is going on in numerous right leaning circles, including the Republican Party itself.
Feel free to look it up as time permits.
@@
November 8th, 2012
4:36 pm
Oh, and Todd?
They’re all white!
Carving them up
November 8th, 2012
4:36 pm
“unless the SC changes that.”
Don’t bet the farm, but keep up your little word games if that makes you happy.
md
November 8th, 2012
4:36 pm
“That is great advice for lots of these folks…just remind them if they are considering Canada best not…they have “socialized medicine” and gay marriage is legal.”
True, but they also currently have a conservative Prime Minister and do not have 16 trillion in debt……and are drilling their way to prosperity and independence.
Dusty
November 8th, 2012
4:38 pm
Matz
I don’t believe you have to list your political party to get government benefits. If the benefits are there waiting for you, then more and more people will ask for them. If 50% of Amerians are getting various government funds, then some of them are bound to be voters.
The political party which keeps adding benefits beyond what the government can sensibly provide when broke to the tune of 16 trillion, then it is time to think differently. It is not just the poor and needy who are getting benefits. We know that because 50% of Americans are not in poverty. No way.
Please do not mention Social Ssecurity which working people contributed to year after year. But every benefit should be examined carefully as should all government expenses.
It is not cold hearted to avoid bankruptcy for this country. It is an effort to save our country.from gettong on the brink of economic failure as has happened to some European countries.
md
November 8th, 2012
4:40 pm
“Don’t bet the farm, but keep up your little word games if that makes you happy.”
Word games? You mean the accepted scientific methods used to define the law?
Too funny……..
Jay Money
November 8th, 2012
4:41 pm
Hey Kyle WingNut,
Good luck trying to educate your fellow rescum wingnuts…ha ha ha.
You lost BIG TIME!!! Time to find a big bottle of pain pills to sooth the pain…
Matz
November 8th, 2012
4:41 pm
Bruno @ 4:32,
ABSO-FRIGGIN-LUTELY, I would, and I have. Do you know where we are? Do you realize the Dems in Georgia have lost every single constitutional office in this state, and control of both houses of our legislature? What do you think we talk about at our meetings… how freaking awesome we are? Please.
Can’t fix what you’re scared to face. Most of the Dems I know are more than willing to face and own up to our failures, and trust, when people like Nathan SHADY Deal are running this state, YES, that is OUR failure. 100%.
Matz
November 8th, 2012
4:43 pm
…now say you’re sorry.
Carving them up
November 8th, 2012
4:45 pm
md
Are you hoping your little theory brings about an overturn of R v W?
Or you just pooping at the mouth
And again, do not have one, if you are against it
Put keep up your wishful thinking.
Michael H. Smith ~ The Socialist Monster no longer hides under the bed in Greece...
November 8th, 2012
4:47 pm
With the fiscal cliff facing America obumer and the socialist democrats will be forced to cut their socialists programs that they have used to buy votes and a tax rate hike the DEMwits want will not make it through the House, so the Simpson-Bowles fiscal plan which obumer rejected before he will now be forced to accept with the Republicans giving him increased revenues via deduction eliminations in lieu of tax rate increases.
Jay Money
November 8th, 2012
4:48 pm
How do you spell debt: B-U-S-H (2) Two unfunded wars and tax cuts to the rich.
IF YOU VOTED FOR BUSH TWICE…
YOU ARE THE PROBLEM AND WE ARE THE SOLUTION. DEAL WITH IT!!!
bubba
November 8th, 2012
4:49 pm
I think Mitt did great when you realize he had only 53% of the population to get 50.1% of the vote.
4 more years
November 8th, 2012
4:49 pm
JDW–I don’t care about gay marriage!! I never said anything about gay marriage or health care. I don’t care. I am only worried the economy spiraling downward. Or paying more in taxes so that I have to leave and go somewhere else.
Good luck to everyone and I hope the Obama presidency goes well. If it does, then I will probably continue to make more money here.
India, South Africa, Norway, S. Korea…I don’t care. Like I said we spent some time in Wales they are a pretty Liberal country.
My ultimate goal is to build a scholarship fund to help other hard working people. Not fund welfare.
Carving them up
November 8th, 2012
4:51 pm
Both Canada and the US import around 55% of their required demand
Dusty
November 8th, 2012
4:54 pm
Hillbilly D 4:31
What what?? You mean Harry Reid THE Democrtic leader of the Senate? You mean the one that blocked all legislature passed over from the House of Representatives?
Magic underwear? He needs a magic mouthpiece.