Changing the Republican Playbook
With the Republican Party facing significant challenges in the upcoming elections here’s some advice from a friendly fiscally conservative Independent.
1. Recognize that the reason this election has been branded a ‘change’ election is that people are fed up with President Bush and his associates, and realize why they are fed up.
The President’s low approval rates aren’t simply issue based. There have been almost two decades of elections that show that the American people are split about 50/50 Republican and Democrat. The low numbers reflect a distaste for how things have been done. There has been an arrogance that often accompanies power that people are sick of. There is a perception that the president doesn’t consider opinions other than his own, and that loyalty to the President is valued over loyalty to ones country. Finally, campaigning has frequently been done in a less than decent manner and it has not only worn thin, but has become obvious and heavy-handed.
2. Fess up to mistakes.
A Republican strength has always been fiscal conservatism, low spending, low taxes. Admit that Republicans didn’t follow the wishes of their constituency on spending, and then prove that you will fix it. Admit that mistakes were made at the beginning of the Iraq War. It doesn’t take a foreign policy genius to realize this, and not admitting it makes Republicans look foolish.
3. Pick your issues.
Pick what is most important and run with it. Whether it is conservative judges, second amendment rights, fiscal conservatism, or a conservative foreign policy, there are plenty of people that support those positions, don’t whine if someone doesn’t agree on every issue that’s normal. The demands for party or candidate conformity will only disenfranchise people, focus on areas of agreement to pull people together.
4. Do what Republicans do best – Win.
For all the political hand wringing, what Republicans did in the primaries was pick the most electable candidate. John McCain provides a resolution to most of these problems. While the Democrat’s goal is to tie McCain to Bush there have always been significant differences between the two, and Senator McCain is the Republican most capable of running as a ‘change’ candidate. He has shown exceptional loyalty to his country, and he is known as a maverick because he doesn’t always follow the party line. He has repeatedly embraced bi-partisanship to get legislation passed. He has battled against pork barrel projects for years. He has been bold in pointing out the mistakes made in Iraq, being the only Republican to call for Donald Rumsfeld’s resignation, and being an early vocal supporter of the surge. He campaigns with decency and was the only Republican to condemn the Swift Boat ads against John Kerry. While this may have upset some Republicans, this gives him credibility with the American people, while maintaining a traditional conservative viewpoint. The party should take a cue from the electorate and embrace the changes that McCain represents. People are frustrated with the current political situation. Republicans don’t need to mope about it, just adjust. A McCain Obama race is one that Republicans can win. Take your cues from your nominee and run a good strong race.
1 comment May 18th, 2008
