Republicans prepare for a comeback: ‘We can’t come off as a bunch of angry white men’

Yahoo ^

[Sub-Driver]

Republicans prepare for a comeback: ‘We can’t come off as a bunch of angry white men’

By Chris Moody, Yahoo! News

Political Reporter

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Republican National Committee members gathered here to re-elect Chairman Reince Priebus for a second term. But by week's end, that vote seemed secondary to the question of the party's long term survival.

After three months of denial, anger, despair and depression over the results of a bruising national election that gave Democrats an edge in Congress and kept President Barack Obama in the White House, Republicans know they must adapt if they are to move forward.

They acknowledge that it's time for a serious gut check. (Or as Haley Barbour put it in November, a "proctology exam.")

Whatever bodily metaphor you choose, the fact remains that the election so jolted and shocked the party that it is taking real steps to change.

And change they will! As soon as they figure out how.

While Republicans in Virginia and other battleground states launched an effort this week to alter electoral college rules so that votes are doled out proportionately--which would likely give the GOP at least a short term edge--GOP leaders here discussed their party's own shortcomings and sought areas of internal improvement.

Almost every conversation in the bar of the Charlotte Westin Hotel this week involved a discussion about what the party must do to win the next elections. Floating through the air is a desire to re-capture glorious days of the past, a challenge made difficult by a country that refuses to stand still. Demographics are changing, minorities are growing in political influence and views on social issues like gay marriage are drifting rapidly leftward. Something's got to give.

[jeffc]

No, no, no. They have been trying that for years already, and everyone sees it as cynical window dressing.

Be that as it may, although I doubt that it is "everyone" that sees it as "window dressing". I disagree that it is. Female and black Repubs should be getting out there on their own and telling the "media" that they are NOT "window dressing" and that it is cynical and hypocritical on the part of the "media" to imply such things. Be proactive, don't wait for the "media" to accuse them of it. Go right out there and make it part of their speech.

But it can't be just one or two people, it has to be so many that the "media" can't ignore them and what they say. Make sure it's in every interview, casual on-the-street or in the studio. Whatever the question, be sure to mention how the "media" FALSELY accuse Repubs of things and protect the Dems.

This is war, folks. If you didn't know that, well, now you know what Zero's plan for his second term is. Get with it!

[jeffc]

Millions of us “angry old white guys” stayed home last November and did not vote for the liberal-lite Romney. That is why he lost.

And....

That's why we have Obama for four more years. Do you really, honestly think it will be better than if we had Romney in office now?

Too many conservatives/Repubs condemn everything we try to do because they refuse to accept a step-by-step approach to things. It's everything-right-now, or nothing; only the purest of the pure will do. Good luck with that. Oh, and "thanks" for four more years of Obama.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“to re-elect Chairman Reince Priebus for a second term”

NOW, he says he will play offense and not defense... WHERE has he been???

LOSERpublicans

[Boogieman]

“Be that as it may, although I doubt that it is “everyone” that sees it as “window dressing”. I disagree that it is.”

Well, obviously not everyone, I was generalizing. I mean the majority of people, be they Democrat, Republican, or Independent. People are gullible, but they are not gullible enough to see a Republican convention where more than half of the speakers are minorities, while 90% of the attendees are white, and not see it as window dressing.

We are an overwhelmingly white party, and our representation generally reflects that, so you don’t achieve those levels of minority prominence in the party, especially not in such a short span of time, without it being a deliberate tactic. I mean, if I were a black Democrat Congressman or Lt. Governor languishing in obscurity who wanted a shot on the national stage, I would just switch parties. Within 2 years, every Republican in the country would know my name and I would be getting prime time speaking gigs at the national events, even if I had accomplished nothing of note.