Posted on 12/03/2012 1:57:15 PM PST by SeekAndFind
After the shocking loss in the November election, Republicans are once again considering whether to change leadership at the top. Reince Priebus wants a second term as RNC chair and still has considerable support for another go, but apparently some committee members have begun recruiting alternative candidates, among them former Congressman J.C. Watts. Watts tells Politico that he's not sure he'll run, but he's interested:
Watts, an African-American conservative who served in the House from 1994-2002, said the GOP defeat on Election Day demonstrates that Republicans need to broaden their appeal to minority voters, and cannot continue on their current path if the party is to be successful in presidential races.
“My concern right now, and I don’t say this necessarily as a candidate [for RNC chairman], my concern is that as a Republican, every single Republican in America ought to be concerned about what has happened in 2008 and 2012,” Watts said in an interview with POLITICO. “In this business, if you’re not growing, you’re dying.”
Watts would not identify who is lobbying him to challenge Priebus, and reiterated that he has not made a decision to definitely jump into the race.
Watts also says that he believes the RNC needs to fundamentally rethink its “ad hoc” approach to outreach:
Watts complained that Republican efforts to reach out to minority groups have not been sustained or consistent during his 20-plus years as a politician, but rather are executed on ad hoc basis – usually in election years. In Watts’ view, and that of many other Republican leaders and party operatives, if the GOP doesn’t dramatically improve its image with black and Hispanic voters, it will not be able to win back the White House.
“These old, tired, pathetic models of saying, ‘Okay, in the black [community], when there’s a presidential election, we will form an African-American Coalition for [Mitt] Romney or [Sen. John] McCain,’ I’ll never do that again. That is a joke, that is so tired,” Watts said. “It’s window dressing to say, ‘African Americans for Romney’ or ‘African-American Coalition’ or ‘African-American Advisory Council.’ That’s insulting to the people that they ask to do it when you don’t put an permanent infrastructure in place to give it credibility.”
I think Priebus did a pretty good job, considering the state of the RNC when he first took over. The organization was deeply in debt, and fundraising was in disarray. The RNC didn’t have a credible GOTV effort in 2010 in the week before Election Day in those midterms, and ended up relying out outside groups to drive their message. They were better prepared in this cycle, but just got out-organized by Team Obama and the DNC.
That said, I’m a big fan of J. C. Watts for precisely the kind of insight he has here. Republicans cannot compete with the kind of lackluster effort that has been made in urban centers. It isn’t just the infrastructure that’s the problem, though; it’s also a lack of vision and specific policies from candidates and the party to put conservative principles to work in these communities to make the lives of voters better. We need both infrastructure and policies, on an ongoing basis, and not just — as Watts says — in the last few months before an election. Republicans have to make themselves part of these communities, not just occasional tourists.
Perhaps Watts won’t run for RNC chair, or the RNC will think someone else will serve better. They’d better find a way to put Watts in position to make his insights a reality, though, if the GOP wants to compete in future elections.
J.C. Watts would be a brilliant choice!
“J.C. Watts would be a brilliant choice!”
Correct, however, that is also the reason there is no chance in hell of it happening.
The Republican party really hasn’t made a smart decision in well over 20 years.
JC Watts has more IQ in his big toe than the Obamadork has in his entire family tree.
Do it!!
In 2008, on Hannity’s radio show, Watts said he was voting for Ozero because it was historic.
‘nuff said when one chooses based on skin color.
In a heartbeat. I was disappointed when he left the House. He is one we should groom over the likes of Rubio and fat a__ed Christie and the likes.
All things equal many folks voted Romney cause he is white. In ‘08 I was a breath away from not voting at all, for either hack, for the first time in my life and just couldn’t, mainly so I would have the right to complain.
Excellent choice. He would inject some much needed conservatism back into the Party of Stupid.
If only.
I am sick of this phony-baloney guy.
Support it, only because we will have an RNC chair that sounds exactly like Dave Chappelle.
“In 2008, on Hannity’s radio show, Watts said he was voting for Ozero because it was historic.
‘nuff said when one chooses based on skin color.”
Bingo.
Now JC is mulling over whether on not to lend his blackness to the GOP, for a price of course.
Baloney! 2010 was a great election and was driven by the Tea Party. The GOP spent the next two years suppressing the Tea Party and 2012 was the result. Romney couldn't even win his home state.
Allen West!
So did Herman, he got a radio show.
I second that!
So it won't happen.
Between folks who will claim he said he voted for Obama(he didn't ever say that) and any other host of trumped up sins we will keep courting failure instead.
Conservatives don't need the left to be beat us, we beat ourselves over and over...
Didn’t he also mull over voting for Obama in 2008? No thanks.
I heard Watts Speak at an event in 2007....I was very impressed.
Then, if I recall correctly, he descended into identity politics and supported Obama?!?
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