"Twelve [Recovery] Steps for the GOP".
Twelve Steps for the GOP
Advice from voters for a Republican recovery.
By STEPHEN MOORE
The first comprehensive poll on why voters voted the way they did in November has just been released by the communications firm Target Point Consulting. I received a full briefing from the pollster Alex Lundry on what these 1,000 voters think of Republicans. The short answer is: not much.
The GOP is "in great disfavor with the electorate right now. Republicans are blamed for fiscal mismanagement, overspending, and the bad economy," says Mr. Lundry. "Democrats are seen as a center-right party, while Republicans are seen as dominated by the right."
That's a big problem because even though 84% of voters say they are center or right on the ideological spectrum, the 48% in the middle, i.e., independents, are tilting heavily toward Democrats. The fairly narrow victory by Barack Obama in the popular vote disguises an "enthusiasm gap" among Democratic and Republican voters. Some 65% of Obama voters "strongly supported" him, whereas only 33% of John McCain voters "strongly supported" the Arizona Republican. This helps explain the river of money for Mr. Obama and the massive grassroots advantage for the Democrats.
But the biggest problem revealed by the poll for Republicans is that "voters no longer believe that the party cares about the middle class in a meaningful or credible way," Mr. Lundry explains. "Democrats cleverly frame every issue as for the middle class."
What issues have Republicans hurt themselves most on? Three that jump out are immigration, where Republicans are seen as too strident; the War in Iraq, where voters are eager for closure; and bailouts, where voters have become angry and resentful at throwing money at failing giant corporations. Furthermore, as economic anxieties have escalated, independent voters are now more favorably inclined toward protectionist trade policies. Free marketeers need to make a better case for the positive benefits of international trade or more restrictions are certainly on the way.
The good news is that voters are very fearful that Democrats will go too far with their liberal agenda. When voters are asked what they "like least about the Democrats," the most common answers volunteered were: "taxes going up," "big government," "liberal," "raise spending," and even "socialism." These broad economic and fiscal principles appear to present the GOP with its biggest opening.
The poll also reveals that Republicans can win back voters by opposing Democrats on several specific policies coming down the pike in 2009: card-check labor union elections, bailouts for banks and auto makers, welfare expansions and affirmative action.
The key for the months ahead is for Republicans to posture themselves, advises Mr. Lundry, "not as obstructionists, but as a check on the Obama agenda."
Editor's comment: While I agree with most of the points raised in this piece, I think Republicans have to FIRST REFORM the party from within.
Otherwise, the party RISKS winning one election, only to see their elected officials be soundly defeated in the subsequent election, because the voters view the party as lacking CORE principles, which the party LIVES by and NOT merely talk about.
Three QUICK reforms come to mind:
The FIRST reform is to rid itself of racists, and racism. In this regard, the party has to embrace diversity, and make Blacks feel welcomed to the party that was established because -- and for -- them, rather than let those who dislike their skin color hijack the party.
The SECOND reform is to recognize that my hero, Abraham Lincoln, is the ONE TRUE leader of the party.
The THIRD reform REQUIRES the Republican Party to get re-acquainted with the CORE principles upon which the party was founded (and these core principles have NOTHING to do with GAYS or with politics of HATE and DIVISION).
Advice from voters for a Republican recovery.
By STEPHEN MOORE
The first comprehensive poll on why voters voted the way they did in November has just been released by the communications firm Target Point Consulting. I received a full briefing from the pollster Alex Lundry on what these 1,000 voters think of Republicans. The short answer is: not much.
The GOP is "in great disfavor with the electorate right now. Republicans are blamed for fiscal mismanagement, overspending, and the bad economy," says Mr. Lundry. "Democrats are seen as a center-right party, while Republicans are seen as dominated by the right."
That's a big problem because even though 84% of voters say they are center or right on the ideological spectrum, the 48% in the middle, i.e., independents, are tilting heavily toward Democrats. The fairly narrow victory by Barack Obama in the popular vote disguises an "enthusiasm gap" among Democratic and Republican voters. Some 65% of Obama voters "strongly supported" him, whereas only 33% of John McCain voters "strongly supported" the Arizona Republican. This helps explain the river of money for Mr. Obama and the massive grassroots advantage for the Democrats.
But the biggest problem revealed by the poll for Republicans is that "voters no longer believe that the party cares about the middle class in a meaningful or credible way," Mr. Lundry explains. "Democrats cleverly frame every issue as for the middle class."
What issues have Republicans hurt themselves most on? Three that jump out are immigration, where Republicans are seen as too strident; the War in Iraq, where voters are eager for closure; and bailouts, where voters have become angry and resentful at throwing money at failing giant corporations. Furthermore, as economic anxieties have escalated, independent voters are now more favorably inclined toward protectionist trade policies. Free marketeers need to make a better case for the positive benefits of international trade or more restrictions are certainly on the way.
The good news is that voters are very fearful that Democrats will go too far with their liberal agenda. When voters are asked what they "like least about the Democrats," the most common answers volunteered were: "taxes going up," "big government," "liberal," "raise spending," and even "socialism." These broad economic and fiscal principles appear to present the GOP with its biggest opening.
The poll also reveals that Republicans can win back voters by opposing Democrats on several specific policies coming down the pike in 2009: card-check labor union elections, bailouts for banks and auto makers, welfare expansions and affirmative action.
The key for the months ahead is for Republicans to posture themselves, advises Mr. Lundry, "not as obstructionists, but as a check on the Obama agenda."
Editor's comment: While I agree with most of the points raised in this piece, I think Republicans have to FIRST REFORM the party from within.
Otherwise, the party RISKS winning one election, only to see their elected officials be soundly defeated in the subsequent election, because the voters view the party as lacking CORE principles, which the party LIVES by and NOT merely talk about.
Three QUICK reforms come to mind:
The FIRST reform is to rid itself of racists, and racism. In this regard, the party has to embrace diversity, and make Blacks feel welcomed to the party that was established because -- and for -- them, rather than let those who dislike their skin color hijack the party.
The SECOND reform is to recognize that my hero, Abraham Lincoln, is the ONE TRUE leader of the party.
The THIRD reform REQUIRES the Republican Party to get re-acquainted with the CORE principles upon which the party was founded (and these core principles have NOTHING to do with GAYS or with politics of HATE and DIVISION).
Labels: Conservatism, GOP, Republicanism
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