A New Party

Because we have a two party system and one of the two has collapsed (The Republican Party), we obviously cannot reinvent that same party, but at the same time we cannot create that party’s opposite. If we did this we would “technically” have the Democratic Party, at least in the eyes of most Conservative voters. I think the best party would have to be a combination of both.

First we would have to assess why the Republican Party failed in the first place. I would find it highly unlikely that all aspects of the party failed. It is hard to say which policies would be emphasized without this information, but the new platform would include policies that have had the greatest success in both parties, new policies attempting to correct mistakes of the past, and as suggested in our readings “a set of desirable policies different from the status quo.” Just as in the 1992 election with Ross Perot, playing to weaknesses of both parties and attempting to offer a solution that neither can could provide big results.Just as noted in the Spatial Model, voters are looking for a candidate who will provide them with the most utility, and in order to be competitive in a Nation would election, it is important to portray that, even if it is an illusion.

It would also be important not to come off as too similar to the Democratic Party because this may cause a division in that party and most likely have a lesser chance of getting a Conservative vote. Equally as important, the new party would have to make sure they do not adopt the negative reputation associated with the fallen party.

The leaders would include members with a strong political history but with very few ties to extremist acts of voting leaning to one side or the other. John McCain would have been a good example prior to the 2008 election. Interest groups and voting blocs for issues on both ends of the political scale would be helpful. Research would be needed to assess which groups carried the greatest push in the voting population and then a plea to them would surely boost popularity. With enough backing from interest groups and voting blocs the party should be ready for competition as soon as the Democratic Party screws up.