I think it has come to a time where the Republican Party is going to take a massive back seat. Forever? Definitely not. I think the public definitely shows a pattern of flipping between favored parties depending on the success of the previous President or seatholder.
I do think the Republican Party will have a significantly difficult time rebounding with out some serious effort. Aldrich talks about Van Buren’s effort to revive the Republican Party and I think some of his strategies would be helpful (Pg. 122). The party needs to get back in touch with its principles. They also need to work on not neglecting those groups and states that already support them. This election the Republican Party lost some states that used to be “red” states (Indiana, Florida, North Carolina) and I believe that has to do with the lack of faith in the party. Page 112 states the party needs to cater to those who could be made to benefit from the revival of the Republican party as well s creating an alliance with those who are already in support.
http://ohiogop.blogs.com/ Shares their view on how to rebuild the party and it parallels the Aldrich reading quite well with some more modern ideas as well:
Returning to our roots of fiscal conservatism
Building beyond our traditional base
Developing bold solutions to pocketbook issues impacting Ohio (economy, jobs, health care, energy)
Re-engaging the middle class
Improving our message delivery
Connecting on campuses
Implementing a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct
They also discuss their need for the definition of clear policies and agenda which has definitely been lacking. (Aldrich pg 109 brings up the same issue)
The bottom line is the Republican Party is not dead, but it will definitely be very sick until it takes the proper action to regain its strength.
Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan: Our party has become too fearful of our own ideas. Since 1997, congressional Republicans began a steady retreat from principled leadership to political expediency. A party built on spending discipline and government reform succumbed to the siren songs of government expansion and earmarked giveaways. Republicans squandered the opportunity to limit and reshape the relationship between the federal government and the individual.
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I think you are correct that the GOP needs to get back to its roots, but it also needs to recognize that the world and the country are changing. And I don't think that the country is running to the right. So they may need to move to the left on some issues (e.g. foreign policy, tax policy, etc.).
ReplyDeleteThey won the wars of the 80s (e.g. welfare, reducing taxes, etc). Now they need to figure out what it means to be a conservative in a world made up of different issues. What I am trying to say is they can still be conservative, but they cannot keep singing the old songs about endless tax cuts, deregulation of businesses(that idea has been thrashed over the last 6 months), and cowboy foreign policy.
The GOP has a new audience and they need to figure out how to reach them.
I agree, the Republican Party is not totally doomed, but at least for now, will be taking a backseat to the Democrats. In order for the Republicans to make a comeback, it is important for them to clearly define their policy positions (develop a clear party platform). Appealing to its base and appealing to new groups of voters are equally important.
ReplyDeleteAre any of the things you listed the party was going to do different that what they really have been attempting for years, or should do anyway?
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