Posted on 05/08/2009 5:15:15 AM PDT by Tolik
1. Fighting against Obama’s Marxism. This may do it in the short run, if the GOP is vigilant in fighting rather than agreeing with the administration.
2. Reverting back to the party of fiscal and individual responsibility. Refusing to be bought by lobbyists. Throwing the book at corrupt politicians, particularly members of the GOP.
3. Probably the most important for long term success, appealing to the dreams of the middle class. The GOP needs to articulate a message, vision and plan of action of making the American Dream possible for the middle class. Reagan did it, but lately there is the perception that the GOP is only for the fat cats.
Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld (not one front-office caliber politician there), the Iraq War, and the financial meltdown in September.
The candidate has to be able to speak clearly, forcefully, and coherently, connect with the American people on a charismatic and cultural level, and project a positive vision and direction for the country. He has to be a good closer, a good salesman with the power of positive thinking, like Reagan. He has to be able to attract and put together the Reagan coalition - the Republican base, conservatives, pro-life evangelicals, Catholics, Reagan Democrats, Independents, some Libertarians, some soccer moms, and the middle class.
If the candidate speaks and runs like only corporate CEOs vote, he runs into problems. If he goes too soft, too moderate and centrist, apologizing all over the place (like McCain) he loses the base and enough conservatives to throw the election. They have to thread the needle very carefully on this one.
Thanks for the ping. Excellent article. The best I have seen.
“But the above are peripheral issues. The real cause of unhappiness with the Republicans was simply that they could not make a convincing case for conservatism to a changing electorate because so many of them were not acting as conservatives.”
Bingo! VDH nails it again. I suppose he’s too smart to run for office, isn’t he?
Entrepreneur,
I wish I had your optimism. As a college professor get to see what is happening “on the ground”. Its not pretty. Plus, I talk to my friends and the news is no better there. It’s really shocking when you talk to people who (20 years ago) were solid conservatives and now sound fairly liberal. I know its hard to accept, but there really has been a sea change in how many people think. What is driving it, I am not entirely sure. But it is definitely driven by what is defined as acceptable thinking and behavior in companies and other institutions.
VDH was a consultant to the Bush Administration, no?
Right Way to Farm the Classics (A profile of Victor Davis Hanson)
I wish he were.
He was explaining over the years that all rumors of him having the administration’s ear are overhyped. My understanding is that Chaney liked him and some in DOD listened to him, but .... Lack of communication skills in the Bush administration, or better say an almost complete neglect of the communication field were staggering. Not just Hanson, but many other commentators provided consistently better explanations in print and on the internet that the administration never put to public using its bully pulpit.
Good stuff!
Be Ever Vigilant!
Thanks Tolik - I thought he was closer to the Bush administrator for some reason.
Mr. Hansen and Orson Scott Card need to quit the Democrat party. Why they continue to be associated with such a group is beyond baffling.
To annoy them?
bump for later
btt
1. Pick the low hanging fruit in 2010: focus resources on winning back House seats in red/purple districts that are currently held by Democrats.
2. Get back to "Drill Here, Drill Now". Even average Americans know that our future energy needs can't be met with solar/wind/biofuels, etc. Pound the Democrats hard on nuclear power. It can't be that scary if the French use it for 80% of their electricity.
3. Quit trying to be liked by Democrats...it will never happen. Thanks to the likes of Janeane Garafalo, we'll always be viewed as "tea-bagging rednecks".
4. Unapologetically stand up for common sense American values, such as marriage between one man and one woman.
5. Quit listening to those that voted for Barack Obama. I'm simply amazed at the waste of air time that's been spent by liberal commentators telling Republicans what they should be doing.
When they realize health care change means rationing health care, economic change means high taxes, high interest rates and possibly hyperinflation and Obama's foreign policy generates disaster, we'll see.
They spend tax and legislate at least as much as Democrats do. This is key.
Republicans want to interfere in the private lives of Americans just as much as Democrats do, just from a different point of view. Throwing billions of dollars and a bunch of new laws fixes surprisingly few things, and causes an amazing number of problems. God gives adults free will to harm themselves, but the GOP is no where near as charitable.
Their leaders take every chance they get to blow political capitol on inconsequential sound bites and silly garbage that matters not one whit to the average citizen.
And how can they get it back?
Stop doing the above, and:
Tell people you want tax dollars to do only the things which are necessary to our survival as a nation, and refuse to allow any more to be collected. Stop supporting programs that the states or local governments should be funding.
Publicly embarrass other Republicans who engage in pork barrel politics, kicking them out of the party if necessary.
Make it clear that while you don't approve of many things people choose to do, the price we pay when we try to control consensual adult behavior is huge and will eventually lead to our downfall if we don't bring it to a halt. Personal responsibility cannot be legislated and trying is dangerous because you are giving the Democrats the OK to do the exact same thing and there will be no cogent argument against them doing what you previously did.
Stop trying to but voters with tax money. Tell people that freedom and self-sufficiency are wonderful and that you are going to do your best to make both possible by dialing back the entitlement clock. Then do it.
That's about it. I fully expect absolutely none of the above to ever be enacted, and am resigned to seeing the GOP struggling to find a message that resonates while Democrats get elected with ease.
I agree, the person-on-the-street is getting increasingly wise to the global warming scam. However, the children continue to be indoctrinated and the elites are sticking to the party line. Cap and Trade promises to be such a big $$ maker, its only a matter of time till its implemented.
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