Posted on 07/31/2009 8:42:23 AM PDT by DanZanRyu
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Thursday urged fellow Republicans to welcome outsiders into the party ranks, not scorn them, as the GOP rebuilds from defeats that left the White House and Congress in Democratic hands.
The potential 2012 presidential candidate, addressing a meeting of the Republican National Committee, appealed to members to build bridges to independents and conservative-leaning Democrats that would win converts and, in turn, elections.
To move forward at a time when Republican numbers are shrinking in many states, the party should show "respect of those who don't agree with us," Pawlenty said. "Let's make sure that we welcome others who are not yet Republicans."
The speech came in the midst of an organizational meeting in which party leaders are discussing ways to repair their dented brand, lure back big-dollar contributors and identify and train a new generation of Republican candidates.
The meeting follows a difficult stretch for the GOP. Sen. John Ensign of Nevada and South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, once seen as rising stars, have been damaged by extramarital affairs; Democrat Al Franken ousted Republican Norm Coleman in Minnesota's Senate race; and moderate Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter became a Democrat.
Echoing Pawlenty, Republican Chairman Michael Steele said the GOP needs to get back in touch with average Americans by stressing the party's traditional values, from tightfisted spending to strong national security.
(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...
Gee people, we had open borders, big tent John McCain again the most liberal candidate ever. Isn’t that enough? The Democrats don’t worry about having a big tent do they?
ugh, another thread about McCain.
Not only no, but HELL NO.
The big tent mentality is what sank the OP wing of the Republicrat party in previous elections.
"traditional values"????? Does that mean CONSERVATIVE values?
We’ve broadened our base so much we can no longer fit in the Republican chair.
Pawlenty is a little late to this stupid idea. This silly canard has been shot several times and kicked and beaten like the dead horse it is. The GOP needs to stand on principle and welcome people who agree with those principles but for some reason these idiots like Pawlenty go off with the idea as if the GOP is less accepting than the Democrat party or some how has a problem welcoming people into the fold. I don’t believe this at all. I do believe we should hit the ground more and invite our friends and neighbors to conservative events. Turn the soft independents into conservatives not welcome soft independents into the party so they can make us more soft.
I have listened to Pawlenty and he sounds like a semi-squishy right of center pol. Much in the mold of the two Bushes. So his advice, while he is free to give it, is worth ignoring.
It is the LACK of a clear difference to the Demoncrats that is the current weakness of the GOP.Many people don’t bother to vote already,based on the observation “there’s no difference between the two parties”.
Just a heads up. I live in Minnesota. Pawlenty, is McCain lite. Green to the core RINO. Pushed clean water act, after having only 14% of Minnesotas water tested. Pawlenty championed, and supported this new tax. In the end the bulk of the tax revenue is going to the arts, and social programs. Not to clean water. He’s laughably testing the presidential waters. Seriously, does anyone in their right mind want to support a candidate from Minnesota, given our history of elected representtatives.
We should welcome moderates and RINOs to vote for conservative candidates, but not compromise on the issues to attract them.
IOW, convince them, “You agree with us on 80% of 65% or even 51% of issues, so vote for us despite the things you don’t agree on.”
RINO alert. Becoming more like the Dem party is not the answer unless we just want to become another wing of the Dem Party.
Next time, please put “RINO alert” in brackets next to the article’s title.
Isn't that "open" enough?
Q. Why does the GOP reach out to liberals instead of to conservative Democrats as Reagan did?
A. Because liberals also believe in exporting jobs.
Traditional values? If you preach that then you get accused of being intolerant and hateful.
I am not the first to say it but it is true: President Reagan got Democrats and independents to vote for him not because he changed his message to accommodate them. He made them realize how much in common they had with us! That is a winning formula, IMO.
I comnpletely reject the notion that conservatives do not reach out and push for a “big tent.” Ronald Reagan was one of the most inclusive presidents in American history, he won 49 out of 50 States in 1984 losing only, ironically for Mr. Pawlenty, MN.
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