The Republican National Committee is meeting this week and the results of that meeting are likely to be disastrous for the party rather than beneficial.
Rather than focusing on the two national electoral smackdowns, the party powers that be want to focus on a name calling agenda item. What's this item - it's to rename (in GOP speak) the Democratic Party to "The Democrat-Socialist Party." Not only is this a waste of time, but it will further isolate the national GOP from mainstream voters. This tells voters that the national Republican Party isn't interested in smaller government, fiscal responsibility, national defense, health care, or any other issue important to the people. Rather, the party is only interested in labels. This move will not help a single national candidate win an election, and in fact, could hurt the chances of state and local candidates. Nor will this labeling of the Democrats help with fundraising or new voter registration. According to a Washington Post poll published last week, the number of self-identifying Republicans stood at 21 percent. That's not a number to be proud of.
Calling Democrats socialists also leaves the national GOP wide open to criticism since the past eight years of national Republican leadership led to the biggest expansion of the federal government in decades. It's not a legacy for the party trumpeting fiscal responsibility and smaller government to be proud of.
If Republicans want to break the stranglehold of the the Democrats on Washington, D.C. and many state capitals, the party needs to focus on engaging the voting public rather than alienating it.
Showing posts with label GOP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GOP. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Buchanan talks about the future of the GOP
In his latest column conservative pundit Pat Buchanan offers a glimmer of hope for the national Republican ticket. It's only a glimmer though.
Unlike many pundits, Buchanan says the GOP should not abandon its stance on social, moral and cultural positions. He says that was part of the downfall of Sen. John McCain's candidacy.
Buchanan left the Republican Party in 1999, but returned to the fold in 2004 endorsing, perhaps reluctantly, George W. Bush. Buchanan has been a vocal critic of the neoconservative movement, which he blames for the many ills of the GOP.
It's clear the Grand Old Party got it's backsides handed to them in 2008. President Obama's supporters delivered him to Washington on a tidal wave of support. What will it take for the Republicans to become a national contender again? Right now it's hard to say, especially with the infighting the party is seeing. It's difficult to say what the GOP can do to have a shot at the White House. Regardless of the plan, it will start with a strong candidate and a cohesive message.
Unlike many pundits, Buchanan says the GOP should not abandon its stance on social, moral and cultural positions. He says that was part of the downfall of Sen. John McCain's candidacy.
"When African-Americans, who gave McCain 4 percent of their votes in California, gave Proposition 8, prohibiting gay marriage, 70 percent of their votes, why would the GOP give up one of its trump cards -- not only in Middle America but among minorities?
A conservative who could have sharpened the social, moral and cultural differences might, from the exit polls, have done far better."
A conservative who could have sharpened the social, moral and cultural differences might, from the exit polls, have done far better."
Buchanan left the Republican Party in 1999, but returned to the fold in 2004 endorsing, perhaps reluctantly, George W. Bush. Buchanan has been a vocal critic of the neoconservative movement, which he blames for the many ills of the GOP.
It's clear the Grand Old Party got it's backsides handed to them in 2008. President Obama's supporters delivered him to Washington on a tidal wave of support. What will it take for the Republicans to become a national contender again? Right now it's hard to say, especially with the infighting the party is seeing. It's difficult to say what the GOP can do to have a shot at the White House. Regardless of the plan, it will start with a strong candidate and a cohesive message.
Monday, March 9, 2009
GOP knows they must appeal to new voters, the question is how
The Grand Old Party isn't so grand anymore. After two straight beatings in federal elections, party leaders are struggling to find a way to appeal to a broad base of voters.
Republicans must return to the message that veteran campaigners like former President Ronald Reagan and former Sen. Jesse Helms used. The modern GOP must be able to appeal to voters across the aisles like these two stalwarts of conservatism did. While both could be polarizing individuals, both were able to draw support from Democrats. But right now the party is not in such a position. Allow a clarification please - I don't mean for divisive politics by using Reagan or Helms (although as a colleague points out, Helms was quite divisive) but to design a message of fiscal and personal responsibility that can appeal across party lines.
To the average voter the party is fractured highlighted by a squabble between Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele and conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh. While this type of perceived infighting can be damaging to the party, it can also be cathartic as well. The party must organize and return to grassroots efforts in order to retake the White House and the halls of Congress. But the question is how.
During a Lincoln Day Dinner in DuPage County last month, Steele called for the Republican Party to tailor its message to all voters, not just conservative voters. Steele said the party message must be something that would appeal to voters who most likely would align themselves with Democrat candidates.
Republicans must return to the message that veteran campaigners like former President Ronald Reagan and former Sen. Jesse Helms used. The modern GOP must be able to appeal to voters across the aisles like these two stalwarts of conservatism did. While both could be polarizing individuals, both were able to draw support from Democrats. But right now the party is not in such a position. Allow a clarification please - I don't mean for divisive politics by using Reagan or Helms (although as a colleague points out, Helms was quite divisive) but to design a message of fiscal and personal responsibility that can appeal across party lines.
To the average voter the party is fractured highlighted by a squabble between Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele and conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh. While this type of perceived infighting can be damaging to the party, it can also be cathartic as well. The party must organize and return to grassroots efforts in order to retake the White House and the halls of Congress. But the question is how.
During a Lincoln Day Dinner in DuPage County last month, Steele called for the Republican Party to tailor its message to all voters, not just conservative voters. Steele said the party message must be something that would appeal to voters who most likely would align themselves with Democrat candidates.
We need a new approach that assures Republicans play in every state; take nothing for granted. We may not win everywhere we play, but we certainly won’t win if we don’t play everywhere we can... Once again, we need to speak directly to the hopes, concerns and aspirations of Americans. So let’s stop telling Americans what we’re against and instead articulate a compelling vision of what we’re for, how we’ll lead and where we want to go.
During last week's Conservative Political Action Committee meeting in Washington, D.C., Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty made a similar call. Pawlenty said the GOP must appeal to what he calls “Sam’s Club voters,” socially right-leaning middle-class voters who may have once belonged to a union, and who now care more about whether they will see their next paycheck than about issues like abortion or gay rights. Like Steele, Pawlenty said the GOP needs to do a better job appealing to voters who are not rank and file Republicans.
“We don’t have a big enough party to be throwing people overboard, and so while we may not agree all the time, if somebody agrees with us most of the time, they need to feel welcome, and there needs to be a spot at the table for them, too,” Pawlenty said. “You don’t win elections and you can’t govern and you can’t make a difference if you aren’t able to get a majority. So you have to be adding people, not subtracting people.”
The problem has been identified, but now comes the hard part - implementing the change.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Limbaugh, Steele fight over GOP while Democrats laugh
So, who is the top bull elephant in the Grand Old Party?
Is it Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele?
Is it radio show host Rush Limbaugh?
It's an interesting question and since so much of politics is about perception, it's a question that deserves to be answered. First look at the reality of the RNC. The RNC exists to provide national leadership to the Republican Party, including the development of a national platform, coordinating fundraising efforts and promoting electoral strategies. The RNC works with Republican leadership in the 50 states.
Limbaugh is the host of the biggest, and perhaps most influential, conservative radio program in the nation. During the Clinton years Limbaugh was called the "voice of conservative principles" by National Review. Limbaugh is enjoying high ratings now thanks to being targeted by the Obama administration following his comments that he hopes Obama fails.
There's where perception comes into play. With the attention Limbaugh is receiving from Obama and his chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, he is the chief target of the Democrats, which gives him more power within the party than he actually had. according to multiple news sources, On Sunday, Emanuel called Limbaugh "the voice and the intellectual force and energy behind the Republican Party," on CBS’ “Face The Nation." On Monday, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs described Limbaugh as "a national spokesperson for conservative views and many in the Republican Party." In January Obama urged Republican leaders in a private meeting to quit listening to Limbaugh.
While Limbaugh is enjoying relevancy during the Obama years, it's clear the majority of Republicans don't acknowledge him as the leader. According to Rasmussen Reports, an independent polling organization, only 11 percent of Republicans believe Limbaugh is the leader of the Republican Party while 81 percent disagree. But when it comes to Democrats, 44 percent say Limbaugh is the party leader while 41 percent disagree.
When it comes to those identifying themselves as conservatives, moderates and liberal, without the party moniker, "76 percent of self-designated conservatives do not see him as the Republican leader. Fifty-two percent of moderates share that view, but the plurality of liberals,45 percent do see Limbaugh as calling the shots for the GOP."
While Rush may not be the leader of the Republican Party, he sure is a powerful voice in its ranks. So far no high ranking elected Republican lawmaker has spoken out against Limbaugh. And here's the reality of that - Limbaugh speaks to millions of people each day. Steele does not have that kind of voice. Limbaugh can urge people to not give contributions to the RNC as well. But would he do that in electoral times when every vote counts toward victory?
This is clearly something GOP officials want to go away and they're attempting to make it happen. According to a Wednesday article in The Hill, GOP lawmakers are stressing that people are more concerned with the state of the economy than they are with Rush Limbaugh and Michael Steele.
Is it Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele?
Is it radio show host Rush Limbaugh?
It's an interesting question and since so much of politics is about perception, it's a question that deserves to be answered. First look at the reality of the RNC. The RNC exists to provide national leadership to the Republican Party, including the development of a national platform, coordinating fundraising efforts and promoting electoral strategies. The RNC works with Republican leadership in the 50 states.
Limbaugh is the host of the biggest, and perhaps most influential, conservative radio program in the nation. During the Clinton years Limbaugh was called the "voice of conservative principles" by National Review. Limbaugh is enjoying high ratings now thanks to being targeted by the Obama administration following his comments that he hopes Obama fails.
There's where perception comes into play. With the attention Limbaugh is receiving from Obama and his chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, he is the chief target of the Democrats, which gives him more power within the party than he actually had. according to multiple news sources, On Sunday, Emanuel called Limbaugh "the voice and the intellectual force and energy behind the Republican Party," on CBS’ “Face The Nation." On Monday, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs described Limbaugh as "a national spokesperson for conservative views and many in the Republican Party." In January Obama urged Republican leaders in a private meeting to quit listening to Limbaugh.
While Limbaugh is enjoying relevancy during the Obama years, it's clear the majority of Republicans don't acknowledge him as the leader. According to Rasmussen Reports, an independent polling organization, only 11 percent of Republicans believe Limbaugh is the leader of the Republican Party while 81 percent disagree. But when it comes to Democrats, 44 percent say Limbaugh is the party leader while 41 percent disagree.
When it comes to those identifying themselves as conservatives, moderates and liberal, without the party moniker, "76 percent of self-designated conservatives do not see him as the Republican leader. Fifty-two percent of moderates share that view, but the plurality of liberals,45 percent do see Limbaugh as calling the shots for the GOP."
While Rush may not be the leader of the Republican Party, he sure is a powerful voice in its ranks. So far no high ranking elected Republican lawmaker has spoken out against Limbaugh. And here's the reality of that - Limbaugh speaks to millions of people each day. Steele does not have that kind of voice. Limbaugh can urge people to not give contributions to the RNC as well. But would he do that in electoral times when every vote counts toward victory?
This is clearly something GOP officials want to go away and they're attempting to make it happen. According to a Wednesday article in The Hill, GOP lawmakers are stressing that people are more concerned with the state of the economy than they are with Rush Limbaugh and Michael Steele.
"This is nothing more than a distraction created by the administration to take people’s attention away from the fact that they’re going to raise taxes and grow the size of government,” House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) said Wednesday following a weekly GOP policy meeting.“The White House started this … I was in the room, going back to the day after the Inaugural, and it just kind of escalated from there."
Boehner has it right. It's a non issue, yet the Democrats will encourage infighting in the GOP as often as possible. Remember, there's always an election around the corner and fractured opposition is much better than a united opposition.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
A return to Reaganism is what conservatives, voters want
Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States is generally considered to be the standard bearer for the Republican Party.
The ideals espoused by Reagan are what a large portion of the voting populace - both Democrat, Independent and Republican - want, according to Rasmussen Reports. According to the polling organization, 83% of Republican voters around the country still agree with Reagan along with 40% of Democrats and 60% of those not affiliated with either major party. The Reagan ideal is what voters want to see in modern Republicans. Fifty-nine percent of voters still agree with Reagan's stance that government is the problem.
In 1981 Reagan said:
Reagan's words still resonate today despite the seemingly opposite tack taken by the Obama administration.
The ideals espoused by Reagan are what a large portion of the voting populace - both Democrat, Independent and Republican - want, according to Rasmussen Reports. According to the polling organization, 83% of Republican voters around the country still agree with Reagan along with 40% of Democrats and 60% of those not affiliated with either major party. The Reagan ideal is what voters want to see in modern Republicans. Fifty-nine percent of voters still agree with Reagan's stance that government is the problem.
In 1981 Reagan said:
"From time to time we've been tempted to believe that society has become too complex to be managed by self-rule, that government by an elite group is superior to government for, by, and of the people. Well, if no one among us is capable of governing himself, then who among us has the capacity to govern someone else? All of us together, in and out of government, must bear the burden. The solutions we seek must be equitable, with no one group singled out to pay a higher price.”
Reagan's words still resonate today despite the seemingly opposite tack taken by the Obama administration.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Jindal dropped ball during presidential response
Tuesday night's response to President Barack Obama's Congressional address was not an auspicious introduction to the nation for Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.
The response to the president is usually given to a rising star in the party. This year was Jindal's turn.
It's clear that Jindal is not ready for prime time national politics. It's not that he's not a capable politician, he's certainly doing a fine job as governor of Louisiana. Navigating that bayou cesspool of corruption is just as difficult as navigating the "stinky onion" cesspool in Illinois. So far Jindal has done a good job at the helm of his state.
He's done such a good job that he's often named as a possible presidential candidate for the Republican Part in 2012. He was on Sen. John McCain's short list for vice president in 2008. But if his response to the president is any indication, Jindal is not ready for the national stage.
His argument was stale. It's the same mantra Republican candidates have been using for years, but it's a mantra that is ringing hollow with the average citizen. Likewise the way he delivered the response was all wrong as well. Jindal spoke at the American people instead of speaking to the American people.
Conservative columnist Amanda Carpenter described Jindal's response:
Also the stagecraft of Jindal's response was poor. He should not have approached the camera from a hidden area like he was hiding, nor should the piece have been shot in front of the grand staircase of the governor's mansion in Baton Rouge. If the GOP wants to appeal to average folks, a mansion isn't the spot to make such an address.
The response to the president is usually given to a rising star in the party. This year was Jindal's turn.
It's clear that Jindal is not ready for prime time national politics. It's not that he's not a capable politician, he's certainly doing a fine job as governor of Louisiana. Navigating that bayou cesspool of corruption is just as difficult as navigating the "stinky onion" cesspool in Illinois. So far Jindal has done a good job at the helm of his state.
He's done such a good job that he's often named as a possible presidential candidate for the Republican Part in 2012. He was on Sen. John McCain's short list for vice president in 2008. But if his response to the president is any indication, Jindal is not ready for the national stage.
His argument was stale. It's the same mantra Republican candidates have been using for years, but it's a mantra that is ringing hollow with the average citizen. Likewise the way he delivered the response was all wrong as well. Jindal spoke at the American people instead of speaking to the American people.
Conservative columnist Amanda Carpenter described Jindal's response:
There was a cheesy, salesman-like quality to the response that I don't think connected with the Rick Santelli-inspired anger so many Republicans are feeling right now. And, I'm pretty sure he's going to be SNL's next target. His speech tempo was just, so weird. Enough complaining from me. He didn't pass the prime time test and it makes me sad. I don't want to dwell.
Also the stagecraft of Jindal's response was poor. He should not have approached the camera from a hidden area like he was hiding, nor should the piece have been shot in front of the grand staircase of the governor's mansion in Baton Rouge. If the GOP wants to appeal to average folks, a mansion isn't the spot to make such an address.
Monday, February 23, 2009
RNC Chairman Steele offers new hope for GOP
RNC Chairman Michael Steele wowed DuPage Republicans Friday night with his call to return the party to its traditional tenets of fiscal conservatism.
Steele, who was the keynote speaker at the 48th annual Lincoln Day dinner, said the Republican's inability to hold to those tenets were the reasons for losses in 2006 and 2008.
“We learned one important lesson from the 2006 and 2008 elections; you can’t please everyone all the time, but you can anger everyone at the same time,” Steele said.
Steele said the GOP lawmakers who went to Washington forgot the principles of the 1994 Contract with America and “began drinking that Potomac River water” and got drunk off the perks of being in charge of the nation. Steele said the party deserved the setbacks in the previous elections, but now it’s time to rebuild and refocus on core conservative values.
"We got an old-fashioned whooping and we deserved it because we walked away from the good old-fashioned principles that defined us for 150 years," he said. "We're in the 12-step recovery program and we've got a brand new attitude. There’s a lot of fight left in this party.”
, Steele laid out his hopes for a more responsible and effective Republican Party. Steele said Republicans need to expand their base and target voters who may lean more to voting Democrat. He said the party has a duty to package traditional Republican ideals in a way that will appeal to those voters. Steele said the Republican Party can take a lesson from Howard Dean, Steele’s Democrat opposite, by adopting a 50 state strategy and target vulnerable seats in those states. Steele lauded Dean’s plan because it won Democrats seats in traditionally Republican states, like Montana, Virginia, Indiana and North Carolina.
Steele said the first challenge for Illinois Republicans is the seat of embattled Sen. Burris. With the possibility of Burris losing that seat and a special election to replace him, Steele said this is the race Republicans need to win.
Pointing out problems for the party is the first step on a long road to recovery, but the proof will be in implementing plans to restore the viability of the Republican Party.
Steele, who was the keynote speaker at the 48th annual Lincoln Day dinner, said the Republican's inability to hold to those tenets were the reasons for losses in 2006 and 2008.
“We learned one important lesson from the 2006 and 2008 elections; you can’t please everyone all the time, but you can anger everyone at the same time,” Steele said.
Steele said the GOP lawmakers who went to Washington forgot the principles of the 1994 Contract with America and “began drinking that Potomac River water” and got drunk off the perks of being in charge of the nation. Steele said the party deserved the setbacks in the previous elections, but now it’s time to rebuild and refocus on core conservative values.
"We got an old-fashioned whooping and we deserved it because we walked away from the good old-fashioned principles that defined us for 150 years," he said. "We're in the 12-step recovery program and we've got a brand new attitude. There’s a lot of fight left in this party.”
, Steele laid out his hopes for a more responsible and effective Republican Party. Steele said Republicans need to expand their base and target voters who may lean more to voting Democrat. He said the party has a duty to package traditional Republican ideals in a way that will appeal to those voters. Steele said the Republican Party can take a lesson from Howard Dean, Steele’s Democrat opposite, by adopting a 50 state strategy and target vulnerable seats in those states. Steele lauded Dean’s plan because it won Democrats seats in traditionally Republican states, like Montana, Virginia, Indiana and North Carolina.
Steele said the first challenge for Illinois Republicans is the seat of embattled Sen. Burris. With the possibility of Burris losing that seat and a special election to replace him, Steele said this is the race Republicans need to win.
Pointing out problems for the party is the first step on a long road to recovery, but the proof will be in implementing plans to restore the viability of the Republican Party.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Burris should resign from U.S. Senate
Illinois Republicans are taking the right stance in calling for Sen. Roland Burris to resign.
Burris perjured himself before an Illinois House committee when he said he had no contact with former Gov. Rod Blagojevich before he was approached by the governor about the appointment to the Senate. On Saturday Burris filed an affidavit stating he was in contact with Blagojevich several times prior to his nomination to fill President Barack Obama's empty Senate seat. According to the Chicago Sun Times, Burris now acknowledges having contact with five representatives of Blagojevich regarding his appointment to the U.S. Senate seat. Burris also confirmed that Robert Blagojevich, the since-ousted governor’s brother who headed his campaign fund, had solicited him for campaign cash. Burris also says he talked to the governor's office about a position in state government for his nephew.
Prominent Republicans are speaking out in calling for the senator to resign for the good of the people of Illinois. Sen. Dan Cronin, R- DuPage, called for Burris to step down, saying:
Andy McKenna, chairman of the Illinois GOP, said Burris is continuing to bring embarrassment to the state of Illinois. McKenna said the continued ethical shenanigans of the Blagojevich administration and obstructionists provided an object lesson in why Democrats should have stripped Blagojevich of his appointment powers and kept their promise to people of Illinois to hold a special election."
House Republicans are calling for Burris to resign and are urging the state's attorney in Springfield to investigate Burris for perjury.
Rep. Jim Durkin, R- Western Springs, told the Sun Times Burris is continuing to bring shame to the state of Illinois.
While the Illinois GOP will push for Burris' ouster, they may have an unlikely ally in Senate leader Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev. Reid did not want to allow Burris to take his seat because of Blagojevich's taint of corruption and this may fuel the powerful senator to urge Burris on his own to step down from that august body.
Burris perjured himself before an Illinois House committee when he said he had no contact with former Gov. Rod Blagojevich before he was approached by the governor about the appointment to the Senate. On Saturday Burris filed an affidavit stating he was in contact with Blagojevich several times prior to his nomination to fill President Barack Obama's empty Senate seat. According to the Chicago Sun Times, Burris now acknowledges having contact with five representatives of Blagojevich regarding his appointment to the U.S. Senate seat. Burris also confirmed that Robert Blagojevich, the since-ousted governor’s brother who headed his campaign fund, had solicited him for campaign cash. Burris also says he talked to the governor's office about a position in state government for his nephew.
Prominent Republicans are speaking out in calling for the senator to resign for the good of the people of Illinois. Sen. Dan Cronin, R- DuPage, called for Burris to step down, saying:
In light of everything citizens of Illinois been through with the corrupt administration of Blagojevich and with the public demand for honesty and open government, I firmly believe Sen. Burris needs to step down. Roland Burris was not honest and forthcoming in the process and there need to be consequences, which include him stepping down from his position.
Andy McKenna, chairman of the Illinois GOP, said Burris is continuing to bring embarrassment to the state of Illinois. McKenna said the continued ethical shenanigans of the Blagojevich administration and obstructionists provided an object lesson in why Democrats should have stripped Blagojevich of his appointment powers and kept their promise to people of Illinois to hold a special election."
House Republicans are calling for Burris to resign and are urging the state's attorney in Springfield to investigate Burris for perjury.
Rep. Jim Durkin, R- Western Springs, told the Sun Times Burris is continuing to bring shame to the state of Illinois.
While the Illinois GOP will push for Burris' ouster, they may have an unlikely ally in Senate leader Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev. Reid did not want to allow Burris to take his seat because of Blagojevich's taint of corruption and this may fuel the powerful senator to urge Burris on his own to step down from that august body.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
