Posted on 11/06/2008 12:14:45 PM PST by goldstategop
It’s no secret that Republicans across the nation took a beating on Tuesday. As the magnitude of this loss sinks in, some may find it therapeutic to cast blame on the economy, a biased media, being grossly outspent or other external factors. If we do, we do so at our own peril.
Tuesday’s outcome was not so much a Democrat victory as it was a Republican defeat.
America elected as its next president an inexperienced candidate whose entire campaign did little more than offer rhetorical “hope” and promise undefined “change.” Why did this message resonate? To find the answer we need to look in the mirror.
Republicans proudly proclaim our core governing principles to be individual freedom, smaller government, lower taxes and economic policies that promote investment and job creation. Voters who closely examine what happened in Washington D.C. over the past eight years, however, certainly didn’t see this. What they saw was a Republican track record of runaway spending, skyrocketing deficits and shameful ethical lapses. On Tuesday, it is clear Republicans were judged on their actions, not their words. For this we can only blame ourselves.
And while the Democrats controlled Congress for the past two years, they largely got a pass from the voters. It may not be fair, but it happened.
So where do we go from here?
There are some who argue that Republicans must abandon our core beliefs if we are to succeed. I cannot disagree more. Our future electoral success depends upon several things – the most important of which is a return to our conservative principles.
There should be little doubt about this. Republicans from Teddy Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan were successful because their administrations were guided by these very principles. And when we have deviated from them (“read my lips: no new taxes”) we have been shown the door. The lesson here is clear.
It is essential that Republicans once again offer viable solutions to the challenges facing our state and nation. We must draw a clear contrast between our vision and that of the Democrat majorities. And most of all, we must govern with principle and integrity. If we are to regain the public’s trust, we must provide a dynamic and compelling alternative.
But returning to our roots is just one part of the solution. In California we must also work on “blocking and tackling.” It is imperative that we devote attention and resources to revitalizing our party operations from the bottom up – especially with regard to registering and connecting with voters.
Numbers recently released by the Secretary of State’s office show that in the 2008 election cycle Republicans lost ground in competitive districts. We paid the price for this on Election Day. Simply put, we cannot let this happen again.
Additionally, Republican campaigns have historically had stronger organization and voter contact programs than our opponents. Tuesday’s election results show that, in this regard, we were beat at our own game. We must redouble our efforts in this area. We must seek to identify the best operational methods and maximize the use of cutting-edge technology. We must be the best in these areas. Period.
Party-building activities are not “seasonal” – they must be ongoing. And it is incumbent on Republican leaders to ensure that the focus and resources exist to make this happen. Over the past two years I have done more than 75 events for the CRP, congressional, legislative and local candidates, and local Republican organizations to help raise money, register voters and promote the Republican message. My goal is to do even more in the next two years. I will also work with other Republican leaders to rebuild our party’s infrastructure.
Our future success will require a return to, and focus on, core Republican principles. And it will also require a lot of hard work. In defeat there is opportunity. And we must seize this opportunity. If we start now, we can ensure that 2010 and 2012 will be the start of a Republican resurgence.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Too damn bad the democrats are always judged on their words, not their deeds. But thats the benefit of owning the news media.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
If you think for one moment that had the Republicans not done any of this it would’ve turned out better, I beg to disagree. What with the millions of dollars (filthy dirty money no less) in the Kenyan’s pockets and the entire demented media on his side, if people will vote for a man who has spent his entire life associating with nefarious people, then there is no way they would do it any other way.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Should Sarah Palin be made head of the RNC?
The media is trying to blame Palin for McCain’s loss.
They know that Mccain will never run again so they want to destroy Palin before 2012.
With all due respect, any solution to our problem involves recognizing what we’re up against and finding a way around it.
No they don't. Conservatives do. Change the name to the Conservative party.
I was wondering when they were going to blame us.
BS
The Republicans will need lots of money and motivation. Start working on both now.
“We are to blame. “
What do you mean “we?” If you mean “we” Republicans, yeah, Republican elected officials acted like elected officials. If you mean “we” conservatives, it is only because we conservatives put up with it.
Music to my ears.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Actually, the problem is not with conservatism per se, but rather with uninformed conservatives.
Most people in the country are at least somewhat conservative, they just don't know it by the way Republicans have allowed the term to be misapplied.
IMO, what we need to do is get everybody up to speed on the basics, and show the people what it means to be conservative. The other side of that coin is we also need to show people what it means to be liberal.
If we do our job, they will reject liberalism, and embrace conservativism.
Just don't call us Republicans.
For decades the left has confiscated money from producers and given it to non-producers, encouraging these people to breed and remain dependent. And for the past 20 years, money has also been spent bringing illegal votes into the country...once again, encouraging these people to breed and remain dependent. We have witnessed our own investment in those who defeated us two days ago. And the American people who made this the greatest nation have sat idly by and done nothing to prevent it. We have no right to complain about things now. Our own cowardice and inaction have been responsible for the destruction of our country. It will require a literal 2nd revolution to retake America. I don’t know if enough people will have the guts necessary to pledge their “lives, fortunes and sacred honor” this time around.
==> “Should Sarah Palin be made head of the RNC?” <==
I don’t think so. Her first task should be finish her term as Governor of Alaska, and to do it very well, as she has done up to this point. She then needs to associate with an independent conservative group, such as Heritage Foundation, which would offer a platform and access to the people she needs to recruit as supporters and fundraisers.
She will be a VERY popular speaker and fundraiser for conservative republican candidates at all levels, and she can earn a lot of support by making herself available to them. It worked for Ronald Reagan....
Connecting with voters, that's it in a nutshell. Regardless of how they are registered, the majority of voters today regard themselves as Independents, not Democrat or Republican. This indicates those that voters viewing themselves as Independents have soured on both the Democratic and Republican core platforms touted in recent elections.
Had Republican candidates connected with these Independent minded voters the election results might have been quite different. Had the Democrats connected better with the Independents they could well have been landslides of a magnitude never seen.
Part of the problem is pollsters themselves. None of the pollsters have studied the large Independent base. All major polling firms produce results based on the views of Democrats or Republicans, as though denying the independents even exist. The polling companies employed exclusively by Democrats and Republicans are the worst of the lot as they act as if Independents are of no consequence.
The most recent election results do not indicate Independents are leftist leaning. If anything, the results reflect an ongoing practice of Independents to grab at straws hoping they will finally get someone that truly represents their concerns.
Lastly, Independents are extremely patriotic and rightly hold a dim view of people that place party above nation. It is the fierce independent streak that has been fed by partisan bickering that keeps Independents from being a party onto themselves.
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