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A 'me too' GOP?
American Thinker ^ | May 14, 2009 | James A. Leggette

Posted on 05/14/2009 2:56:45 AM PDT by plsjr

Since the election of President Obama -- and now accelerated by the defection of Senator Arlen Specter, much ink and chattering has been devoted the future of the Republican Party. Like any organization either in politics, sports or business which is currently behind, the GOP is struggling with crafting a game changing strategy. Some advocate embracing a big tent strategy by incorporating a variety of disparate and potentially irreconcilable views. Others argue that the party should go back to set of core conservative principles despite the risk it might appeal to a smaller audience than desired to build a new majority.

While there are merits in both these approaches, principles from the business world, and in particular marketing, can be brought to bear to understand which strategy is better is in the long run.

(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: bigtent; conservatism; gop; rino
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It's agravating and disheartening to read the propaganda spewed continuously by the MSM, RINOs, and even posters on Free Republic that we should soften our conservative principles.

To them I say "NEVER! WE HAVE A PROVEN BETTER PRODUCT!"

With God's help, we'll turn this around and lots of people will remember how bad allowing the left run our country in the ground hurt them.
1 posted on 05/14/2009 2:56:47 AM PDT by plsjr
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To: plsjr

Others argue that the party should go back to set of core conservative principles despite the risk it might appeal to a smaller audience than desired to build a new majority

This is where the GOP is getting it wrong. Going backto a good solid set of core values will not shrink the party it will grow it. There are millions of Americans looking for common sense,morally sound leadership. All they had in the recent past is a choice between the Democrat Party and the Democrat Lite Party (Republican) Become the REAL Republican Party again and they would see voters streaming in.......


2 posted on 05/14/2009 3:15:58 AM PDT by SECURE AMERICA (Coming to You From the Front Lines of Occupied America)
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To: plsjr
Like any organization either in politics, sports or business which is currently behind, the GOP is struggling with crafting a game changing strategy.

The OP is struggling to appear Conservative while trying to maintain its incremental big tent socialist movement.
3 posted on 05/14/2009 3:17:39 AM PDT by Man50D (Fair Tax, you earn it, you keep it!)
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To: SECURE AMERICA
"This is where the GOP is getting it wrong. Going backto a good solid set of core values will not shrink the party it will grow it. There are millions of Americans looking for common sense,morally sound leadership. All they had in the recent past is a choice between the Democrat Party and the Democrat Lite Party (Republican) Become the REAL Republican Party again and they would see voters streaming in..."

It really couldn't be any simpler than that. ;^)

So.
What do you think the PTB running the party will do? /sarc

4 posted on 05/14/2009 3:24:32 AM PDT by Landru (Arghh, Liberals are trapped in my colon like spackle or paste.)
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To: plsjr
What did James Bond do after his movies started to get too goofy? He got back to his core. What did Star Trek do after their movies started to get too goofy? They got back to their core. What did Batman do after his movies started to get too goofy? He got back to his core. What does the GOP need to do now that their party is getting too goofy?
5 posted on 05/14/2009 3:42:57 AM PDT by NurdlyPeon (Sarah Palin: Americas last, best hope for survival.)
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To: plsjr

It’s moral absolutism in the party’s planks that kills it. At its core, people don’t like government or for others tot tell them what to do. the GOP has got to return to fiscal responsibility as a primary tactic and deemphasize all of the social issues.

Stand for the 10th Amendment and limited government. Basically, go back to what this country was founded upon.


6 posted on 05/14/2009 4:00:07 AM PDT by wireplay
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To: plsjr

“game changing strategy” of wheter or not the GOP dumps rinos that tow the curent party line, of “bipartisanship”,
Or goes back to the fundamentals of true leadership, fundamental Constitutionalisim, rule of law.

Really? was the author of this peice ever awake, or is the author of this peice still asleep?

The tent of the Conservative movement is the largest tent that ever existed, If you are a liar, you open yourself up to ridicule, If you’re dishonest, we’ll call you out, If you wish to debate real issues, we are all ears, (but then we get to say what we want to say, as per the 1st).

And there must be something said about the ridicule aspect, My positions are based upon fact, history proven, and in my opinion, the only liberal arguments come from a newly distorted revisionist history led by the Libtards. I stongly object to judicial activisim, that if unchecked in the past would have denied the true and rightious progress of liberty and freedom - and also even more strongly object now, as the third branch of government, even ursurps thier own power, the power of the individual states, and even the powers of both houses of Congress. (and it should be noted that Congress is currently duplicit in this endeavor).

Lies, Deciet, and Apathy run amok and alongside the promise of Transparency, truthfullness, and Change.

I think it’s high time that the Liberal “golfers” take out thier scorecards and put pencil to paper, and every time the pencil gets fliped to the eraser - ask why.

Any time the GOP throws conservatives a bone, I say good for them, and at the same time I say I expect that attitude from them all the time. I urge any incumbet GOP to stand for principal or stand aside.
I am a simple man, I can be talked to, but I refuse to be talked down upon for beliving in the pricipals that made this country great.


7 posted on 05/14/2009 4:08:08 AM PDT by ChetNavVet (Build It, and they won't come!)
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To: wireplay
This country was also founded on certain moral principles and absolutes which also cannot be ignored or swept under an imaginary rug. Fiscal responsibility is fine but let's remember those two pesky moral absolutes life and liberty, too. Life being the one that the Democrats have abandoned and the GOP must embrace to survive. Liberty is the one that the Democrats are trying to abandon...
8 posted on 05/14/2009 4:13:00 AM PDT by Russ (Repeal the 17th amendment)
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To: plsjr
Even the cartoon Family Guy is making fun of lefty Republicans.

"Family Guy had a scathing one-liner in which a member of James Woods High School's Republican Club explains that "We believe in helping those who already have the means to help themselves." "

Yeah, that's the GOP I know.

9 posted on 05/14/2009 4:32:06 AM PDT by Leisler ("It is terrible to contemplate how few politicians are hanged."~G.K. Chesterton)
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To: ChetNavVet

A lot of what made this country great, was accident. Mostly it was open land, that people could flee ever and ever more government. Well, those days are fast coming to a close. Everything will be ruled out of Washington. They have all the cards. Now the dealing starts. The UAW gave Obama something like 10 million and just got tens of billions this year alone, and basically two car companies.

Nice rate of return.


10 posted on 05/14/2009 4:36:40 AM PDT by Leisler ("It is terrible to contemplate how few politicians are hanged."~G.K. Chesterton)
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To: wireplay

Wrong!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2250609/posts


11 posted on 05/14/2009 5:03:14 AM PDT by antisocial (Texas SCV - Deo Vindice)
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To: plsjr
It's agravating and disheartening to read the propaganda spewed continuously by the MSM, RINOs, and even posters on Free Republic that we should soften our conservative principles. To them I say "NEVER! WE HAVE A PROVEN BETTER PRODUCT!" With God's help, we'll turn this around and lots of people will remember how bad allowing the left run our country in the ground hurt them.

The problems that Republicans are facing are not related to becoming a less inclusive party. That is just how the Dems have successfully branded us and thus we waste our time trying to disprove it with words instead of action. That is a major part of their overall strategy; to have us spending all of our time fighting the image of us which they are putting out. We should be spending our time getting our platform out to the public, not the one the Dems painted us with.

Our side needs to get much better at marketing our beliefs and values, but more importantly, our party needs to show that in it's everyday actions. The Dems have become extremely good at marketing their platform, as well as the negative one they branded on our butts. Our side needs to show the average person and family how our ideas will ultimately make their lives better and easier, while at the same time showing how Liberal ideas are just facade that will ultimately hurt and enslave them.

12 posted on 05/14/2009 6:40:32 AM PDT by SirFishalot
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To: wireplay
They've already tried this and it failed. Arnold was elected as a fiscal conservative who wasn't interested in those divisive conservative stances on social issues. He's turned out to be a fiscal liberal, and the GOP in California is dead in the water. The same thing happened in the Northeast. There are few Republicans left there, but one of them, Olympia Snowe, recently lectured us on how we need to jettison the social issues and concentrate on fiscal conservatism. She wrote this shortly after voting for the Obama stimulus atrocity.

Social liberalism always leads to fiscal liberalism (i.e., socialism) because it creates a weak and dependent attitude among the populace.

13 posted on 05/14/2009 6:48:19 AM PDT by puroresu (Enjoy ASIAN CINEMA? See my Freeper page for recommendations (REALLY & TRULY updated!).)
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To: plsjr

“A ‘me too’ GOP?”

How about a “no thanks” electorate?


14 posted on 05/14/2009 7:03:50 AM PDT by Grunthor
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To: puroresu

“it creates a weak and dependent attitude among the populace.”
+++++++++++

This is our real challenge - to teach, inspire and set an example of true American values for those who come behind us. In CA as in WA and in all blue states, this will be a very long arduous process - but completely necessary.

Does anyone have experiences with Young Republicans or other groups in their states where you have had or have a chance to impart this? This can take many forms - teaching our kids about honesty and hard work is one huge area. It’s tough when our ‘leaders’ are dishonest and want to take others hard earned monies.


15 posted on 05/14/2009 7:04:23 AM PDT by SeattleBruce (God, Family, Country and the Tea Party! Take America Back!)
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To: plsjr

“With God’s help, we’ll turn this around and lots of people will remember how bad allowing the left run our country in the ground hurt them.”

Most people (imho) blame the last administration and the Republican congress for the mess we are in now. What we need to watch is how Hussein deals with the problems. If he is ineffective or makes the problems worse (likely) then his will be a one term presidency. If however, his plans all work wonderfully and the country pulls out of this recession and the jobs come back....he’ll be re-elected.


16 posted on 05/14/2009 7:07:11 AM PDT by Grunthor
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To: SirFishalot
The Dems have become extremely good at marketing their platform, as well as the negative one they branded on our butts. Our side needs to show the average person and family how our ideas will ultimately make their lives better and easier, while at the same time showing how Liberal ideas are just facade that will ultimately hurt and enslave them. " +++++++++++++ Good post. It doesn't help that the dims have free advertising 24 x 7 on all the networks, talking heads and newspapers. Did I mention that I HATE the bigoted press? Main Entry: big·ot Pronunciation: \ˈbi-gət\ Function: noun Etymology: French, hypocrite, bigot Date: 1660 : a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices ; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group...with hatred and intolerance
17 posted on 05/14/2009 7:08:41 AM PDT by SeattleBruce (God, Family, Country and the Tea Party! Take America Back!)
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To: puroresu

Which means they didn’t practice it. It isn’t fiscal conservatism as much as it is limited government. i haven’t seen a lot of traction in this area.


18 posted on 05/14/2009 7:10:18 AM PDT by wireplay
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To: SirFishalot
The Dems have become extremely good at marketing their platform, as well as the negative one they branded on our butts. Our side needs to show the average person and family how our ideas will ultimately make their lives better and easier, while at the same time showing how Liberal ideas are just facade that will ultimately hurt and enslave them. " +++++++++++++

Good post. It doesn't help that the dims have free advertising 24 x 7 on all the networks, talking heads and newspapers. Did I mention that I HATE the bigoted press?

Main Entry: big·ot
Pronunciation: \ˈbi-gət\
Function: noun
Etymology: French, hypocrite, bigot
Date: 1660
: a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices ; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group...with hatred and intolerance
19 posted on 05/14/2009 7:10:30 AM PDT by SeattleBruce (God, Family, Country and the Tea Party! Take America Back!)
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To: wireplay

“It isn’t fiscal conservatism as much as it is limited government. i haven’t seen a lot of traction in this area.”

How do we get our message out - so it resonates? I think the Tea Parties are a start - but we need to really fight (in) the press for a more accurage definition of who Conservatives are.


20 posted on 05/14/2009 7:12:30 AM PDT by SeattleBruce (God, Family, Country and the Tea Party! Take America Back!)
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