And we need accessories this time.
Posted on 05/17/2008 11:47:33 AM PDT by calcowgirl
...This week, as the Democratic contest winds down, CBS News' Brian Goldsmith talked with Republican National Committee Deputy Chairman Frank Donatelli about his party’s prospects for November’s elections.
(snip)
CBSNews.com: Getting back to the environment, the highest wrong track number ever recorded in opinion polls, the highest disapproval rating ever recorded for a sitting president. How big is the magnitude of the problem?
Frank Donatelli: Well, the political environment represents the starting point is what I would say. And it's fair to say that, in 2008, we start off, just on a generic basis, behind by five or ten points. And so that means we have to run five or ten points better than the other guys.
That's difficult but it's not impossible, by any means. And I like our odds because we have a candidate that's lapped the field a couple of times already. And he is very comfortable running a non- traditional campaign where he puts really interesting coalitions together and wins votes that aren't Republican votes.
So would it be better if this was 1984, and it was morning in
America, and everybody was in fine feathers? Of course it would.
But the current circumstances are challenging. But given Senator McCain and our strong campaign team, I have every expectation that we can win this race.
CBSNews.com: Tom Cole, the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, went beyond what you've said. He thinks it's more than the problem in the environment. He asked aloud whether something was wrong with the product after three special election losses in Republican seats. Do you think there's something wrong with the product as well as the environment?
Frank Donatelli: Well, I guess what I would say is that the successful Republicans this time are going to maybe take the basic brand and add their own mix to it. So I guess I would say yes. I mean, I don't think the generic brand will do it this time.
Sometimes the generic brand does it for Republicans or Democrats, based on the circumstances. But this time it's a very challenging environment and it's not enough just to kind of go down the litany of issues. I think you've got to be more creative. You've got to reach out. You've got to have some really strong issues, talking points of your own.
So, you know, it's kind of like we're a basic black dress. Sometimes it works. But sometimes you've gotta, you know, you’ve gotta have the accessories to go with it. And we need accessories this time.
CBSNews.com: This is the year to accessorize for Republicans.
Frank Donatelli: First time I've ever talked about shoes in an interview like this.
CBSNews.com: Tom Cole also said "there's a deficiency in our message." So if you agree with that, if there's a deficiency in the message, what do you think the new message can be or should be to attract a lot of these voters who voted Republican in 2000 and 2002 and 2004 but are defecting this time?
Frank Donatelli: Well, I think we have to be true to our own principles. And I think we have to talk maybe more in specifics and not generalities. Try to connect how our policies will make things better for the average American. You know, why we need additional sources of energy. And why we need more energy supply which, in turn, will bring down the price of gas. I think we need to give more vivid examples of things like that.
I like the basics that our party stands for. But a lot of times we have to retool the message based on what the current circumstances are. And, you know, the crisis we face. And so, if we're going to get serious and say that we really need to restrain federal spending, we really need to do it.
If we're going to get serious about fighting the war on terror then we have to convince people that we're serious about it. So I guess just being a little more vivid in our examples. And try to connect our policies up a little more with what Americans are thinking.
(snip)
accessorizing .. is that what they call it.
conservative is so ‘old hat’ , I reckun.
Calling Rudy Giuliani for a little black dress with accessories?
Quite a few “accessories” were suggested on this thread. I guess they don’t like the style.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2017233/posts
The spanking they deserve: NRCC gets an earful (Conservatives BLAST McCain, RINOs, etc.!)
"He's just a... sweet... transVESSSStiiiiiiiiiiiiiiite -- !!!" ;)
The only thing Tom Cole got right was the part about the “deficiency in the GOP message”.
Shame he isn’t smart enough to know what the deficiency is.
Oh well....they will see a big deficiency in GOP voter turnout for the big goob, McCain.
When Democrats are running and winning on Conservative Agenda items, there is a problem, why that is perhaps is a mix of things from Iraq to Immigration to typical 8 year headaches.
Donatelli did not mention the donation gap either...
HA!
Queer Eye for the GOP Guy.
Sure, like higher taxes for global warming, socialized medicine, open borders...
He did talk urge people not to donate to 527s and to give money to the RNC and McCain where they can control the message.
I guess all those accessories cost a lot of money. ;-)
LOL. Ain't that the truth!
The RNC will hit up their donor list, the 527’s speak to our issues and need more grassroots support as they also receive no matching funding, they are on their own.
When Mad Jon goes to the NRA convention and basically shut down gun shows, that is why 527’s need the funding because Mad Jon is contra to our Conservative Issues.
RNCC - Republican National soCialist Committee.
If the idiots turn away from Socialism things would improve.
Here’s a thought: why not get back to the fundamentals of what conservatism has been about and what had worked for so long?
1) Enough with the globalization crap. While we don’t want to be isolationists, America comes first. Protect American manufacturing jobs and punish our “free trade” partners who penalize us with VAT charges. (And as an aside, do you think the Chicoms really take us seriously and respect us when they know they can shove the “free trade” crap down our throats as our “leaders” smile and take it?)
2) Secure the borders. No amnesty for illegals. The amnesty in 1986 encouraged the problem we have today. Our “leaders” want us to amnesty 30,000,000 today. How many will we be amnestying in 2030? Another ten-fold increase? 300,000,000?
3) CUT government. Dump this “compassionate conservative” bullsh_t. Careful study and reflection will reveal that bigger government, no matter how benign its original intent, will always become intrusive and oppresive. As Tony Snow once said, “When was the last time you went to the DMV and felt the love?”
4)No to LOST.
5)No to a NAU. Even I might consider voting for MacCAin if he came out and denounced the SPP and explicitly opposed any further unions with Mexico and Canada.
6)Spell out a plan to implement Tort reform.
Does this mean they’re all going to start carrying purses?...as wimpy as they have been they might as well.
Note to Donatelli: You can’t accessorize your way out of stupidity, dummy.
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