While conservatism and honesty are essential for the GOP to succeed, the 2008 national election was lost from the top down.... starting with the shaky, oldster, sickly looking McCain who astonishly was nominated as the FACE of the Republican Party.
For heaven's sake, McCain was proud that HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO EMAIL!!!
That little tidbit goes right to the fact that many voters, including me, a very conservative Republican committeeman, couldn't stand the thought of having a 72-year-old unable-to-speak-with inspiration frump representing America.
I was embarrassed at having to defend his pandering, no-drill, no-borders, campaign finance baloney.
I love McCain and his story... his heroism and integrity as a POW.
I get red-faced mad whenever the Dems slam him.
But the fact remains that the GOP in 2008 (just like with Dole) was seen as the party stuck in the 1950s era of Korea/Vietnam --- and the Democrats were seen as able to lead and understand the 21st century.
Talk show hosts focus entirely too much on conservative vs liberal candidates when the most essential component of winning is having a LIKABLE candidate, younger and virile, enthusiastic and inspiring, and who has the STATURE of a US President.
McCain, and thus the GOP, had none of those.
>>conservatism and honesty are essential for the GOP to succeed, the 2008 national election was lost from the top down>>
I agree. That’s why conservative activists all over the U.S. are now initiating a grassroots movement to reclaim, rehabilitate and revitalize the GOP. The folks intend to take back the party beginning at the local level, then though the state level, and finally the RNC. Here’s a link to a great new site for one such group in Washington State. http://skagitrepublican.typepad.com Check out the page “Republican Ideology” and the article “GOP Reform: From the Grassroots Up.”
The GOP isn’t dead, it just needs CPR from grassroots conservatives.