Rove's roadmap
James Forsyth 6:42pm
In Newsweek this week, Karl Rove wades into the debate about what the GOP should do next. Most of his prescriptions are pretty sensible—I’d especially commend his arguments on the importance of not abandoning sections of America, as Obama showed keeping your opponent’s margin down in his strongholds is as effective as running up the score in your own, and the need to appeal to younger and Hispanic voters.
One piece of Rove’s advice the party must heed is this:
The Republican Party needs to reform. But it should do so by drawing on its strengths and traditions as the party of Lincoln, TR and Reagan. For example, the GOP needs to address green issues but it should do so in a pro-growth, technological way rather than in the hair-shirt way that some on the left advocate.“Losing the election has led to a debate about whether the GOP should return to its Reaganite tradition or embark on a new reform course. This pundit-driven shoutfest presents a sterile, unnecessary choice. The party should embrace both tradition and reform; grass-roots Republicans want to apply timeless conservative principles to the new circumstances facing America.”
Conservative Cabbie
November 17th, 2008 9:36am Report this commentJames
I'm not sure the green issue was an issue at all during the election, in fact, polls show that "drill baby drill" is the majority opinion in the United States.
I agree to a degree that the GOP need a 50 state strategy although perhaps some New England states are probably lost for good. It is the southern eastern seaboard states, the midwest, the great lake states and the southwest which the GOP needs to target as a matter of priority.
It is not green issues that they need to get on the right side of, it's immigration, fiscal conservatism, education and Healthcare. A constructive and positive solution to those issues and they will be fine.
Augustus
November 17th, 2008 4:20pm Report this commentI have read that, at one of the campaign rallies, a reporter rounded up 100 blacks and read them McCain's policies, but told them they were Obama's, and they all said they agreed with them. It is quite probable that most whites who voted for Obama did so mainly because of his policies, but that most blacks did so mainly because of his skin colour. All those who voted for McCain, however, probably did so because he struck them as someone who they could trust more than Obama.
Therefore, given that both parties are traditionally on the centre ground of politics, the more the Democrats proceed to veer to the socialist left, and the more 'Yes We Can' becomes 'yes we can increase the national debt irresponsibly', the easier it will be for the GOP to regain the conservative ground, both morally and physically, and begin to put more Republicans back on Capitol Hill in 2010 and 2012.
Rove is right about the need for newcomers to earn their place at the top of the party. The GOP is no more likely to implode in the years ahead than the Democratic party did after 2004, and especially if it does decide to champion moral values among the younger generation; a policy in which America could still lead the world.
RMH
November 18th, 2008 10:45am Report this commentHow does the GOP win votes based on its guns, gays and God strategy?
It is like Redwood and tebbit saying we need to go to the right to win?
Bush appreared populist and centre right before 2000 and won on the back of 9/11 in 2004.
McCain is a centrist in GOP terms, and would have won with Romney or Lieberman, but the GOP base, all 30% of the 64% who voted (so 20% of the country) will vote GOP or not at all.
They need to attract the 20% of floating voters, and with a rising tide of african america, hispanic and youth voters how do do that based on guns, gays and God, with an abortion chaser.
No GOP President even balanced the budget, so small government arguement is nonsence, since when did they decrease gov?
Palin is about as pallatable as a poo sandwich for breakfast.
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