Posted on 10/18/2012 7:10:22 AM PDT by Moseley
Much of what is happening in the Delaware Republican Party is driven by two sharply-conflicting strategies for how to win elections. In a Democrat-dominated State with 297,112 registered Democrats (47.4%), 180,542 registered Republicans (28.8%) and 148,695 registered Other (23.7%), how can a Republican win?
STRATEGY # 1 (the Echo Strategy): For a Republican to win (other than in a GOP dominated R.D. or if no serious Democrat is running) the Republican nominee must be similar to a Democrat. If the voters like Democrats, then the Republican must also be just like a Democrat.
STRATEGY #2 (the Difference Strategy): To attract Democrats and Independents, a Republican must offer something different a choice. Voters who want what Democrats are offering will simply vote for the Democrat. They can vote for the real thing, not an imitation of a Democrat.
Reagan won two landslides running on a strategy of Bold colors, no pale pastels following the theme A Choice Not an Echo.
Strategy #2 accepts that a Republican can only win if some Democrats are disaffected and vulnerable to persuasion. So if Delawares 297,112 Democrats (47.4%) are happy with their nominee, aint nuttin gonna get a Republican elected. Thats life.
But a choice not an echo offers a ghost of chance. Ronald Reagan proved that a clear contrast can peel away enough Democrats to win.
The Echo Strategy (#1) is simplistic. Someone who goes to all the trouble to register Democrat will probably vote for their own party. Democrats need a compelling reason to cross over and vote against their own party.
The Echo Strategy never considers WHY a Democrat might vote for a Republican. It just assumes that Democrats will inexplicably vote for a copycat.
(Excerpt) Read more at delawarepolitics.net ...
Converted Democrat here ... ever since King Franklin the First.
NOTE
THIS IS AN EXCERPT ONLY
PLEASE GO AND READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE, where I get into the details.
If this is your article under your control, why have you elected to divert FReepers to another site?
do not be a one issue voter.
yes, those statements are compatible
STRATEGY #3 Adhere to and promote the principles you (Republicans) claim to support.
This is the problem with the Republicans: they mouth the words. It’s just rhetoric not principle.
For example they don’t oppose PPACA on principle or goals, just implementation. Witness the “repeal & replace” plan of Romney. On this as on so many issues, they differ from Dems only in that it’s your plan not ours.
Strategy #3 (the biography strategy)
DEL is small (LOL). Local pol develop following based on town govt service. Could lead to effective US House race or Guvner. Then Senate.
If a dolt like Castle can go statewide, a smart conservative can do it. But ya gotta hold office first and move up methodically, not start yer career with a Senate race.
not too many high profile GOP locals
http://auditor.delaware.gov/biography.shtml
R. THOMAS WAGNER JR.-DELAWARE’S STATE AUDITOR
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