6 Ways To Try To Resuscitate The GOP
Six Ways The GOP Can Save Itself
POLITICO:
Things are so ugly for the members of the GOP right now, it’s worth pondering their political mortality: Put bluntly, can this party be saved?
We talked to some of the smartest minds in Republican politics, and their prognosis is pretty grim. They think it will take pretty big changes — and possibly many, many years — to repair a Republican brand sullied by excessive spending, an unpopular war and an even more unpopular president.
Republicans are deeply divided over how dramatic changes should be and how precisely to change things. But there appears to be an emerging consensus on six steps they must take — and soon. What follows are the composite views of key Republicans we interviewed.
1. Get a clue: Republicans desperately need to cook up some new ideas and craft an attractive agenda to have any chance of success. Former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate Mitt Romney says it should be a modern edition of Newt Gingrich’s “Contract With America.”
“It’s critical that our candidates have a very clear set of principles,” Romney says. “If we are ill-defined or, worse, if we’re defined by the failures of the administration or the failure of Congress in the last eight to 10 years, then we’re going to lose.”
The name of the agenda doesn’t matter, but the substance does. Voters no longer think lean government, smart and strong defense, and good old-fashioned family values when they think Republican. They think reckless spenders, misguided war and hypocrisy. Republicans “don’t have a vision,” says former House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas). “Their behavior is being governed by a bad political model, and we’re losing races.”
Republicans need to focus on cutting taxes, slashing spending and rediscovering their edge on national security matters. More important, they need to jump ahead of Democrats in thinking anew about entitlement programs, health care, technological innovation, global trade and new energy plans.
Bill Frist, the former Senate majority leader and now a visiting professor at Princeton University, also recommends the “big idea” approach. His prescription: “Take on health care in a way that focuses on consumer-driven health,” providing “a contrast to the big government of Democrats.”
2. Cut the crap: Republicans are dominating Democrats in one area right now: humiliating sex scandals. If former Rep. Mark Foley isn’t e-mailing young male pages or Sen. Larry Craig isn’t playing footsie in the bathroom, then Rep. Vito J. Fossella’s getting busted driving drunk and then admitting he fathered a love child. You can’t run on family values when you don’t practice them.
This is no laughing matter to many Republicans. Voters don’t pay much attention to Congress unless there is a good scandal or bad spending, and the GOP has provided a generous supply of both. It has to purge scandal-stained members, swear off boondoggle spending projects and promote — and more importantly adhere to — strong ethical standards, GOP officials say.
Democrats are likely to control Congress for several years, so if Republicans can clean up their act, they can put the focus back on the members of the governing party and their behavior.
“The congressional leadership needs to be very proactive in addressing anything with a potential whiff of scandal forthrightly and immediately and with dispatch,” says former White House chief of staff Ken Duberstein.
3. Beg for help: The Republican infrastructure is crumbling. Making matters worse, Democrats are erecting a pretty impressive network of donors, think tanks and activist groups that is exploiting the GOP’s structural weakness. The GOP “needs to realize what the opposition is and how formidable it is,” said former GOP leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas). “The Democratic Party is organized chaos, but it is so much better than what we are doing.” It will take no less than three to five years to fix, smart Republicans estimate.
For now, Republicans need their rich backers to crack open their wallets. Democrats such as George Soros are so much more willing than rich Republicans to fund get-out-the-vote operations and clever negative campaigns. The GOP needs to somehow cajole its big donors to fork over millions of dollars to counter Democrats and then achieve a competitive edge.
It needs to be smart while spending it, too. Influential Republicans feel the party must fortify intellectual think tanks, establish new activist groups and get a clue about using the Internet to rally its forces. The GOP also needs to fund programs to train young Republican candidates and activists.
“There is an entire infrastructure that needs to be thought through, and it seems to me no one is interested in building that,” said former Rep. J.C. Watts (R-Okla.).
4. Burn the Bush: There is something honorable about loyalty. But taken too far, it can start to look downright loony to voters. President Bush is as unpopular as Richard Nixon was in the days before his resignation. Cut him loose — quick, says Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.). “We can go our own way with our own programs, and even disassociate ourselves from President Bush,” Davis said in a memo to fellow Republicans.
In some cases, say GOP leaders, Republicans should cozy up to presumptive presidential nominee John McCain, who remains popular with many swing voters. In others, they should simply run on their own merits and promise to pay attention to local concerns. But under no circumstances should they stand by their man in the White House. It won’t be easy, because so many marched obediently to the Bush tune for so long. But voters have short memories — exploit that.
5. Change the pitch — and your face: Several well-known Republicans said the party needs fresh, reassuring packaging and a more diverse crowd to deliver it.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said it’s time to return to a family values message — backed up by ideas families actually like. “Our reforms and beliefs need to be framed in the context of how they help families. A family-friendly focus is really important, given the angst that people feel these days.”
The image of the white men’s club needs to go, too, says Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. “The country is changing. The Republican Party has to have a message that reflects faces and voices of America. We have to do a better job of recruiting women candidates, candidates of color and diversity.”
6. Fan the fear: Ignore the critics, Republican wise men say — there is still no better way to win than to stir up concerns about Democratic patriotism and their commitment to national security and killing terrorists. It often remains the best call in the GOP playbook, especially with McCain atop the ticket.
Republican officials privately urge lawmakers to whack their opponents whenever they can for worrying more about coddling terrorist suspects than condemning them, failing to support U.S. troops, exhibiting weakness in dealing with dictators, and rushing to a quick Iraq exit that could put U.S. servicemen and women at risk. Polls still show GOP strength on national security and fighting terrorism — at least when compared with their lousy numbers on domestic issues.
—————————————————————————————–
7. (Mine) McCain’s Choice - On shaky ground with most conservatives already, who are voting for him to try and assure the next POTUS is NOT a neo-commie, Mac had better choose carefully his Veep for the GOP ticket … and pony-up a conservative right of himself … perhaps even Mitt. If not, I fear republican/conservative voters will either stay home in November … or throw their vote for the Barr of “Fool’s Gold” …
Be respectful of others and their opinions. Inflammatory remarks and inane leftist drivel will be deleted. It ain’t about free speech, remember you’re in a private domain. My website, my prerogative.
If you can't handle using your real email address, don't bother posting a comment.
His choice will show his direction. Left right or middle.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:16 pmI truly don’t think that it matters who he picks for VP. McCain hasn’t listened to any of the true social conservatives of the Republican party for the last 20 years. I don’t see why he would begin now.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:37 pmRepublicans spending like there is no bottom to the well, leaving the border open to all who can cross, adding to the government bureaucracy instead of reducing it. RINOs like my senator Lindsey GrAmnesty. The local republicans are no better; county council spends with reckless abandon and then wants more “user fees”. We had an old time Democrat who was an old farmer and the most conservative councilman, he retired. Now they all just give each other a look and vote to spend more.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:24 pmTry to start a business and look at all the regulations and “fees” you have to pay, no wonder why companies go out of the country or use illegal workers and pay under the table.
My wife and I went by the state republican headquarters a few years back to join the party. We had been out working our dump truck and were tired and dirty; they looked at us like we were aliens and didn’t even want to speak to us.
Only two politicians I can think of have had any credibility with me, my Senator Jim DeMint and my Governor Mark Sanford.
I’m looking forward to all the fund raising calls; they will get an earful from me. Maybe a few dollars depending on who they are- but definitely an earful
Dirtman, I’m right there with you. In Greenville, SC, by the way.
Our local radio talk show host is trying to get a movement started to oust ALL incumbents. I think it’s a good idea at ALL levels, and considering Congress’s ratings, now might just be the time.
And remember, both DeMint and Sanford, as conservative as they are, support both McCain and Graham. Personally, I believe they’re placing party over principle, and that sickens me.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:56 pmThey need to Champion Fair Tax!
www.FairTax.org
May 15th, 2008 at 5:11 pmA 7th way…
GET A REAL ELEPHANT TO KICK THEM IN THE HEAD AND KNOCK SOME SENSE INTO THEM!
May 15th, 2008 at 5:22 pmWow… I really do get blown away sometimes by the hateful posts of so-called conservatives against the GOP and McCain. Makes me wonder if the warnings about libs posing as conservatives on conservative blogs isn’t true.
Obambis mentor Saul Alinsky advocated those type tactics in his book “Rules For Radicals”.
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saul_Alinsky
“Any revolutionary change must be preceded by a passive, affirmative, non-challenging attitude toward change among the mass of our people. They must feel so frustrated, so defeated, so lost, so futureless in the prevailing system that they are willing to let go of the past and change the future.”
If you don’t realize that is exactly what is going on in a large portion of this country well….
In a proper universe, we’d all be popping rivets in HUMVEE’s for the war effort but many can’t find a way to back the only candidate that supports the troops and the mission that have made *and will continue to* make it possible to sit on our fat ass and bitch to a monitor.
Needless to say… I don’t give a fuck about McCain’s position on climate change.
/rant
FWIW my money is on Romney as V.P.
May 15th, 2008 at 6:21 pmOur “hateful posts” against RINOS for spending our tax dollars like drunken sailors, weakening the 1st amendment with McCain-Feingold, not criticizing the the insanity that comes from Pelosi & Co., including trying to outlaw self-defense…
…and you dare compare our comments to one of Alinsky’s rules that includes “a non-challenging attitidude”.
…the above comments are anything but “non-challenging”.
…and as far as Mac goes, he’s the only real Jihadi-Killer left in the race.
…and unless Mac drops dead after the inauguration the VPOTUS is almost Irrelavant.
END OF RANT
May 15th, 2008 at 7:13 pm“……and you dare compare our comments to one of Alinsky’s rules that includes “a non-challenging attitidude”….”
That was not my intention but as was noted earlier today maybe the rock hits barking dog metaphor applies a few other places….
And yes, I still don’t give a rat’s ass about hateful postings about Repubs that come across very close to the same as BDS. Sounds virtually identical to me. Let’s start calling it what it is eh? McCain derangement syndrome.
Wake the fuck up. Killing jihadists is so far and away more important a task that the ‘principles’ you elucidate in your first paragraph fade very quickly into meaninglessness. Other than the fact that they are being used against you in an artful manner ala Alinsky of course.
May 15th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
May 15th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
May 15th, 2008 at 8:19 pmOh, that’s rich. Tom DeLay giving advice on how to repair the party that he wrecked with his crappy “leadership” when the GOP had the House, Senate and Presidency. What did you accomplish, Tommy Boy? OK, a tax cut. What about the runaway spending? Earmarks? Drug Prescription Bill? And, although there may not be many enthusiastic reasons to vote for McCain, a big reason is what we are suffering here in Calif.: judges. Our S.Ct. just redefined “marriage,” turned it into a fundamental right (legally, it never was before) and extended the word to cover same sex. If it’s Obama or McCain, a betting person would have better odds with McCain that he wouldn’t put some other crackpots on the S.Court, the same kind we have in Calif.
May 15th, 2008 at 8:24 pmThis article is a bunch of crap. There’s nothing new in there and quoting people like Tom DeLay, the scumbag most responsible for the taint of corruption that permeates through the GOP, just spreads the stale stench that now surrounds the party. The Republicans are supposed to be the party of grown ups but don’t have much room for error when using family values as a bedrock principle. Anyone in the GOP ranks gets out of line, whack ‘em. Enough of the ferries like Foley, and Craig or the perverts like Vitter. You step out of line, you’re gone. How about the GOP becomes the party of common sense again.
1) Recruit more veterans to run for House seats, particularly the younger people. Their ingenuity and courage has saved us from the debacles of Rumsfeld’s and his group of yes men. Just what the GOP needs right now. Also move Tom Coburn into a leadership position. Maybe even offer him the VP slot. A doctor with hardcore conservative principles. He sticks by his guns, not like Bill Frist.
2) Drill in ANWR and on the coasts. I’m a surfer and live close to the beach but some things need to be done. Talk nuclear energy and any other type. Energy independence is an issue of national security and until that’s explained to the clueless masses; the party of the limp wrists and liars holds serve. Make sure everyone knows it’s the damn Dhimmicrats who are halting this. Keep up the pressure and don’t relent.
3) Get rid of earmarks. Who gives a crap if the Dems won’t. Become the party of fiscal responsibility again. Have some balls and act like grown ups.
4) Continue the War on Terror and win it. Use every procedural move to keep the funding going and get the job done. While doing that, continue to point out that the Dhimmis want us to lose.
5) Close the damn border and go after employers. Put the CEOs in jail if they’re hiring illegals. It’s big business that’s screwing over the middle class. Once that’s done, work on getting the Hispanics here in the GOP camp. Make English the official language and offer English language classes in local high schools and community colleges. It’s not the immigrants who are the problems; it’s the multiculturalists who want to destroy everything this country was founded on. Hispanics don’t want gay marriage, are family oriented, and are small business owners. Those who want to succeed, assimilate as soon as possible. The others will too, bit it will take some work. Keep at it and don’t quit.
6) Sit tight on the mortgage mess. I’m one of those people who bit off a bit more than he should’ve but I’m getting it done. Minimize regulation because if we don’t, all of us will be stuck with houses that barely appreciate.
7) Be fair but firm with the unions. I’m a teacher and California is facing our annual budget crisis but unions always end up shooting themselves in the foot. There’s always overreach and the public inevitably sees the union leadership for what it is, a bunch of parasites who live off of the blood of hard working people.
9) Last but not least, F*^%k the elites who have hijacked this party. Many GOP reps are no different from those on the other side of the aisle. They just represent big business and in the end, the people will choose the little guy over the crook in the Armani suit. The GOP needs to build up from the grassroots again. Bring back the common people and let’s get this country back on the right track again.
May 15th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
mike3481
sully
Have a family member that has served two tours in the WOT, you better belive that is a huge factor in my desions. If we don’t wake up in this country and continue to fight them over there we will surly fight them here. 
May 15th, 2008 at 8:37 pmInsulting drunken sailors by comparing them to our politicians
I’ve been pulling the R lever for years, I haven’t forgotten my conservative ways. I’ll surely vote for McCain over any dem. As far as GrAmnesty goes he’s going to have competition this year.
Just donated money to the Iraq Veterans for Congress today and to the GOP last week.
Don’t want to see the dems in control at all.
I think that it’s safe to say the GOP may have trouble this election cycle. They run on a conservative platform but once in power they loose their way. Saying you will do something and then doing the opposite is no way to instill confidance in the voters.
Having a problem and ignoreing it is no way to find a solution. Fustrated your damm right I’m fustrated. Letters to my congressmen and president yes i’ve done that, sometime you get a true answer, others a form letter. Sitting on my fat ass done that too.
I don’t know what the answer is but at least we are trying to find one. Being here on the dollard site is a sign that we aren’t that far apart.
“…Being here on the dollard site is a sign that we aren’t that far apart.”
Roger that. I get the ‘reasons’ for dissatisfaction with Mac. I was on his team early but un-subscribed to him on his site last year. Sent him a very long letter expressing the reasons.
When it became obvious Obambi and the Daley machine were outsmarting the Hildabeast, I signed back on because Obama is the VERY worst thing that could happen to this country. And McCain is the best man for job #1 - killing jihadis.
Neither of these guys can win without the middle and independent vote. Cut the guy some slack while he goes after what it’s gonna take to keep Obambi and his husband out of the White House.
One last thing. Pukes like Alan Colmes are using your ‘dis-satisfaction’ with Mac as a hammer. That brings to mind a quote I kept from a Repub strategist…
May 15th, 2008 at 9:14 pm“It always looks darkest right before you get hit with a hammer. But then it really does go dark.”
We don’t need to be passing them ammo.
Makes me wonder if the warnings about libs posing as conservatives on conservative blogs isn’t true
I wonder if a state ruled by paranoiacs and bullies isn’t the scariest you can expect from a great country ?
Where are the respectful Eisenhower ?
mshatto ;
I empathy
ps) Sully, the hospital that makes the charity looks miserable, bravo for your quotation
May 15th, 2008 at 11:32 pmRepublican need to stop being Dhimocrats. Stop the pork-barrel express. Stop spending like there’s no tomorrow.
Embrace Reagan conservatism. Forget the Rhino shit.
Develop another Contract with America.
Cut waste, cut spending, support pro-life causes, second Amendment, alternative fuels, control illegal immigration,
win the Wra in Iraq, stay the course, tell Teddy K, and co to shove it.
Stick to your principals, weed out the trash…get some new blood, like the Iraqi vets that are going to run for office in 2008.
Deal harshly with our enemies and jump on anyone who wants to suck up to them.
Ride out the storm. Stop worrying about polls. Stand by your CIC. People can say what they want about his ratings. Congressional ratings are 10 to 11 p[oints lower than the President’s.
Vote down any Congressional pay raise. Block it the next time it comes up.
Show some guts for a change.
May 16th, 2008 at 12:16 am“…..Stick to your principals, weed out the trash…get some new blood….”
ABSOLUTELY!!!!
May 16th, 2008 at 6:53 amIn December.
actuallly I am curious to watch how you manage your double standard morals, it is very instructive to cultivate my garden
May 16th, 2008 at 7:12 amagain. stop stalking.
May 16th, 2008 at 7:31 ambooooh !
May 16th, 2008 at 7:46 amI am spectator in front a weird play
hope your counsciousness will remains safe though
May 16th, 2008 at 12:21 pm