Posted on 11/16/2008 9:55:18 AM PST by shortstop
MIAMI - Republicans gathered last week to talk about what went wrong in the Nov. 4 election and how to fix it, and the two highest-profile leaders - Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin - offered sharply different recipes for a comeback.
Crist's message: Racial inclusiveness, bipartisanship and civility offer the clearest path for the GOP's road to recovery.
"It worked in Florida," Crist said. "It could work nationally."
Palin put forward a harder line: Tough adherence to the party's ideological principles.
Republicans, she said, should start on the road back by dogging the Obama administration and Democratic Congress on taxes, health care and energy, making no concessions.
"Now it is time for us to go our own way ... confident in the knowledge that there will be another day. We'll rise to fight again," Palin said. The occasion was the annual meeting of the Republican Governors Association in Miami.
GOP governors were among the few bright spots in a dismal election for the party, mostly holding their own and controlling 22 statehouses. With a Democrat in the White House and decreased minorities in Congress, governors will be among the party's top voices.
Among them: Haley Barbour of Mississippi, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota.
But Crist and Palin were the top draws - Palin for the excitement she brought McCain's campaign, and Crist for his political success in the nation's biggest swing state.
That success, Crist said over and over, came from a new kind of Republicanism he's fighting to put into practice in Florida, and that he says the party should practice nationally.
Virtually every time he spoke, Crist threw in the word "inclusiveness." Unlike other attendees, he didn't look for chances to trash Democrats, or blame the party's problems on the press.
"In my administration," he said in a discussion forum, "I've appointed African-Americans that also happen to be Democrats to head some of our agencies. ... If you show them that you really care by inclusion, it's hard to have a counterargument that you don't."
In Florida, he said in a CNN interview, "We have a hopeful, optimistic, bipartisan, almost nonpartisan way of getting things done." Republicans don't always like hearing about appointing Democrats or toning down partisan rhetoric.
"Our country may have elected a president on the basis of some pretty prose," Texas Gov. Rick Perry told the crowd at the conference's closing dinner, "but Republicans are still the victors on the battlefield of ideas ... Republican leaders are still the best hope to restore our country."
Crist is accustomed to taking heat for practicing in Florida what he preached at the conference.
He's been blasted by some in his own party for taking such steps as agreeing to a Democratic request to extend early voting hours to cut down on long lines - a move some Republicans said would only help more Democrats vote.
"If his own name had been on the ballot, he wouldn't have extended early voting," charged Ana Navarro, a Miami GOP consultant and Hispanic co-chairman for John McCain's Florida campaign.
"He needs to get his own house in order before becoming a national figure," she said.
Palin, meanwhile, said Republicans shouldn't give an inch on issues. She praised Obama, but added, "Let's help show him and Congress the way."
Asked what she would do about the party's losses among women and Hispanic voters, she responded, "You know, I treat everybody equally ... I'm going to work with this group of governors to serve all Americans, not letting gender, race, background, get in the way of doing what's right for Americans as a whole."
And Palin was among the few conference speakers who praised President George W. Bush. "He succeeded in keeping America safe from another attack," she said. "God bless George W. Bush and thank you Mr. President."
Of course they differ; one is a tried and true conservative leader...the other has sour grapes over delivering the nomination to Mc and not getting picked as VP.
Isn't this the crap that brought us to the "election" of November 2008? The "bipartisanship and civility" gig didn't work out. We already have a DemocRAT party. We don't need two.
"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
Crist is wrong- the campaigns of Dole and McCain SHOULD make this clear- even to him.
Palin is right. I hope she is prepared for the excoriation she will get from the RNC “leaders”.
Time for a house cleaning...
Who cares what Crist has to say? He’s barely a Republican.
Sarah, you are awesome!
I vote for Palin’s plan.
“Crist’s message: Racial inclusiveness, bipartisanship and civility offer the clearest path for the GOP’s road to recovery.”
And how’s that worked so far,Mr. Crist?
Not worth a D...!
[Republicans, she said, should start on the road back by dogging the Obama administration and Democratic Congress on taxes, health care and energy, making no concessions.
“Now it is time for us to go our own way ... confident in the knowledge that there will be another day. We’ll rise to fight again,” Palin said. The occasion was the annual meeting of the Republican Governors Association in Miami.]
Oh Boy, I feel like a schoolboy in love. If Palin keeps talking this way, she is “The One”.
Really? I didn't know McCain carried Florida.
Who is this turkey that wants to bare his throat when it isn't even Thanskgiving?
Well, ole Charlie is a lib in Republican clothing and Sarah is a CONSERVATIVE, so I guess they will have a totally different opinion.
We found out that Crist’s idea of bipartisanship is for Democrats and Independents to select our candidate for us by allowing them to vote in the Florida GOP Primary. Tell me again which candidate they chose?
Palin all the way. Crist is a sore loser for not being named the VP nominee, and he showed that by not going all out to win Florida for Palin. The RINO’s keep gathering, and “we know their names and we will make them famous.” (one of the only good quotes McCain came up with during the campign, kudos to his writers)
Was Charlie actually there, or sending a message from the Green Iguana?
Old school vs. new school only works in rap. Its clear the path is toward youth, energy, and a return to conservative roots. Crist ain’t it.
Hey Crist, did it work for McCain?
You can't beat the RATS at their own game, the dim voters still vote RAT. You have to offer a strong alternative and pull the flip-flop voters to your side.
"Now it is time for us to go our own way ... confident in the knowledge that there will be another day. We'll rise to fight again," Palin said. The occasion was the annual meeting of the Republican Governors Association in Miami.
Sarah, we love you!
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