Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Until the GOP cuts its ties with the religious right and their idiotic "culture war", they'll have no prospects for the future. Of course, they're more than welcome to bask in the warm afterglow of the Reagan years. But that's rapidly cooling now. After all, millions of voters weren't even born when Reagan left office.
They can always count on the momentum they picked up from Dubya, though.
Until the GOP cuts its ties with the religious right and their idiotic "culture war", they'll have no prospects for the future.
While some may pine for the Reagan years, I'm not one of them. I don't believe that the GOP needs to abandon the religious right, only that it needs to abandon the more extremist elements who incessantly carry on with, as you say, "culture wars". Take Rick Warren for instance, while I think his anti-gay crusade is ridiculous and extreme, I do agree with his assertion that Christians need to focus more on issues such as poverty and the poor, the encouragement of stable families, and other like social issues.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ovcatto
Get the GOP back to its roots?
What and become moderate Democrats? They would have apoplexy before that would happen.
How about following simple traditional conservative principles for starters. Less foreign intervention and greater focus on domestic issues, greater importance on environmental/conservation issues, sound fiscal policy and an abandonment of out of control spending. Those are a few things.
In light of the numerous articles from places like the NY Times, the LA Times, the Washington Post, etc... all going on about how the GOP is dead or dying, I thought I would share this email flyer. It is not copyrighted and free to distribute, and while it pertains to Tennessee, I have no doubts that it also applies to many other states.
While I am no longer a member of the GOP myself, I do support this kind of political activism and I'm pleased to see more Constitutionally minded traditional conservatism gaining popularity. This is being put on in conjunction with Ron Paul's campaign for liberty in order get the party away from divisive attack oriented politics which is leading the GOP to ruin.
Good post. Here's hoping they succeed. Though I was an independent for many years, I voted GOP from 1972 through 1992, inclusively. I funded GOP moderates like John Warner in VA for many years. But I haven't voted GOP since the rise of the evangelical right in GOP politics, and never will again if the GOP keeps pandering to that bunch.
All parties need to stop courting religious voters; no party can legislate whatever morality those voters would impose on us. It got ridiculous with Rove and Bush repeatedly phoning Dobson and Haggart as to which candidates for the SCOTUS were acceptable to them. Not sure if Bush/Rove actually heeded any advice from Dobson and the now-disgraced Ted Haggart, but at least the White House maintained an appearance of dancing to their tune. BTW: Dobson and Haggart (former head of the NEA) bragged they had 30 million votes in their grasp and used that to exact promises from Bush/Rove to push the agenda of the religious far right.
The GOP of Teddy Roosevelt was a perfect balance of keeping the working man in the picture, restraining the worst impulses and abuses of huge business interests and keeping religion out of politics and government.
How nice for us all if the GOP (especially Bush) had not strayed from TR's enlightened approach. I sense that Obama is actually going to seize the day and practice TR's approach to a balanced form of governing from the middle, he cannot get re-elected in 2012 by being the radical or extremist that many paint him to be.
The GOP that exists today is not viable and needs to pull itself back from the brink by returning to a more centrist approach - and then follow it closely if they ever again find themselves entrusted to lead our government. I hope your pals in TN succeed and that a movement to return the GOP to its roots goes national.
Problem is the top of the party is still getting a chuckle out of the "Obama the magic negro" song instead of placing every possible asset to use forming a viable issue based platform.
Being we hear this sort of thing, people of a more traditional Conservative bent are taking it upon themselves to organize, mobilize and engage at every level possible.
I have personally had enough of the top down, trickle down methodology used in political parties. Besides, the last I checked, only one person showed up at our last precinct meeting.
I doubt that the folks running the GOP get a chuckle out of that tune, it was a dumb move by someone who killed their own political future, and deservedly so.
I think the party will need to see what Obama does first, in formulating a counter offensive to gain support. I think the "significantly less gov't" song may not play well, depending upon what Obama specifically does and the subsequent impacts. That path just might marginalize the party too much.
I doubt that the folks running the GOP get a chuckle out of that tune, it was a dumb move by someone who killed their own political future, and deservedly so.
I think the party will need to see what Obama does first, in formulating a counter offensive to gain support. I think the "significantly less gov't" song may not play well, depending upon what Obama specifically does and the subsequent impacts. That path just might marginalize the party too much.
I certainly hope whomever got their jollies at such a disgusting tune, never holds a public office.
However, I have to disagree with the bolded portion because I don't believe it is in the GOP's best interest to be reactive but instead pro-active. Granted, it does depend on what and how Obama approaches the next four years as to how to run against him in the next election cycle but as far reestablishing GOP core message, it shouldn't matter who is in office.
Granted, I do tend to favor smaller to the point of more efficient government, less foreign intervention, not no intervention, and most importantly, some measure of control on spending. Deficit spending may be acceptable short term during times of prosperity, but constantly it is little more than a path to ruin. I'm sure many will argue various points, or at least I hope so, as it is a good thing. All I can say is that in the email flyer sent to me, much of it makes sense and being that I am of the opinion that power isn't as much granted as it is taken, then that is what must be done, so I will work towards that goal.
I signed up for both local Republican and Democratic Party news and so far at the local level, I haven't seen either offer a consistent plan. I'm sure at the national level there is, but I can only effect politics locally so thus kind of stick to that.
As far as marginalizing the party further... man, its looking pretty marginalized across the board right now
The GOP of Teddy Roosevelt was a perfect balance of keeping the working man in the picture, restraining the worst impulses and abuses of huge business interests and keeping religion out of politics and government.
Two things in particular that I noticed this last election with the GOP. The first being that their rally's and crowds were AARP conventions and one could barely find a youthful face in the crowd at many events. The other being a seeming disconnect with blue collar workers.
Now I realize that part of the reason the younger vote viewed the GOP like Lyme disease was simply Bush/Cheney and two wars. On the other hand Paul's crowds were filled with youthful voters who were more than enthusiastic towards a Taft brand of more traditional conservatism. While Paul was certainly not the man to bring it home, it did show that it was popular and well received with a sorely needed voting bloc if the party desires a future.
I noticed that Obama went for the traditional Republican talking points, taxes and national security. This I'm sure kept the McCain campaign in a tail spin and saying to themselves... "Hey, that's our line".
Now when it came to courting those heavy manufacturing states in the rust belt that went overwhelmingly Republican in 04, again the crowds were filled with an older crowd instead of the factory workers, steel makers, etc...
I have a local acquaintance who happens to be a young CPA and was intrigued by Paul but voted McCain in the general and I'm trying to convince him to run for local office. I forwarded the above emailer and it sparked interest, so we shall see.
Two things in particular that I noticed this last election with the GOP. The first being that their rally's and crowds were AARP conventions and one could barely find a youthful face in the crowd at many events. The other being a seeming disconnect with blue collar workers.
Now I realize that part of the reason the younger vote viewed the GOP like Lyme disease was simply Bush/Cheney and two wars. On the other hand Paul's crowds were filled with youthful voters who were more than enthusiastic towards a Taft brand of more traditional conservatism. While Paul was certainly not the man to bring it home, it did show that it was popular and well received with a sorely needed voting bloc if the party desires a future.
I noticed that Obama went for the traditional Republican talking points, taxes and national security. This I'm sure kept the McCain campaign in a tail spin and saying to themselves... "Hey, that's our line".
Now when it came to courting those heavy manufacturing states in the rust belt that went overwhelmingly Republican in 04, again the crowds were filled with an older crowd instead of the factory workers, steel makers, etc...
I have a local acquaintance who happens to be a young CPA and was intrigued by Paul but voted McCain in the general and I'm trying to convince him to run for local office. I forwarded the above emailer and it sparked interest, so we shall see.
I think you have stumbled upon some interesting points here..
If you take a look at one of Ron Paul's crowds, you will see where all the younger Republicans and minorities went. Ron Paul's message is a powerful one, unfortunately it isn't really viable and it almost makes him unelectable. The media is certainly no help.
What is more interesting is that in response to the Republican's labeling Democrats as Socialists, the Democrats created the illusion that the GOP is mostly a religious party. It would seem most people (maybe just on this particular forum) fell for it. As I stated in another thread, you would have to multiply the winnings of Romney and Huckabee (the religious candidates) in the primaries to equal that of McCain (the Moderate candidate). It would also seem like the Republican party does not elect politicians that represent the party's values.
Either way, the Republicans could easily get elected into office if Obama screws up bad enough.
I think you have stumbled upon some interesting points here..
If you take a look at one of Ron Paul's crowds, you will see where all the younger Republicans and minorities went. Ron Paul's message is a powerful one, unfortunately it isn't really viable and it almost makes him unelectable. The media is certainly no help.
What is more interesting is that in response to the Republican's labeling Democrats as Socialists, the Democrats created the illusion that the GOP is mostly a religious party. It would seem most people (maybe just on this particular forum) fell for it. As I stated in another thread, you would have to multiply the winnings of Romney and Huckabee (the religious candidates) in the primaries to equal that of McCain (the Moderate candidate). It would also seem like the Republican party does not elect politicians that represent the party's values.
Either way, the Republicans could easily get elected into office if Obama screws up bad enough.
NewToCa and I has some conversations at least a year ago about the viability of Paul, and even though I supported him and still do, I never gave him better than an honest 15% pull. He wasn't viable to the mainstream, although I bet many now wished they could do it over, but it was the make up of his crowds that should have gave the GOP a hint as to what it was he was doing right. It was in large part the message and the ideas and it was also that he ran on his own platform without having to cut the knees out from other other guy to get it across. I think people are just tired of divisive politics.
I still to this day can't figure out why McCain went for that whole, "spreader of wealth" at a time when most middle and lower class citizens were beginning to really struggle and many said, well, yes, spread the wealth baby. It might have worked better if the economic situation wasn't what it is.
In any event, right now is the very best time in the world to get involved with actually doing something. I look at it like a stock market where the GOP stock shot to the bottom like a bottle rocket, and now, its cheap and shares are readily available, what better time to buy? I know I am going to try and be more pro-active, at least until I see where the party wishes to go. If they end up going back to same ole same ole then I won't waste my time.
NewToCa and I has some conversations at least a year ago about the viability of Paul, and even though I supported him and still do, I never gave him better than an honest 15% pull. He wasn't viable to the mainstream, although I bet many now wished they could do it over, but it was the make up of his crowds that should have gave the GOP a hint as to what it was he was doing right. It was in large part the message and the ideas and it was also that he ran on his own platform without having to cut the knees out from other other guy to get it across. I think people are just tired of divisive politics.
I still to this day can't figure out why McCain went for that whole, "spreader of wealth" at a time when most middle and lower class citizens were beginning to really struggle and many said, well, yes, spread the wealth baby. It might have worked better if the economic situation wasn't what it is.
In any event, right now is the very best time in the world to get involved with actually doing something. I look at it like a stock market where the GOP stock shot to the bottom like a bottle rocket, and now, its cheap and shares are readily available, what better time to buy? I know I am going to try and be more pro-active, at least until I see where the party wishes to go. If they end up going back to same ole same ole then I won't waste my time.
I think that was part of McCain's flaws as a candidate, I don't think he was very agile in terms of adjusting his message in an evolving economic environment.
Part of the problem that I think the "small gov't" folks would have, and why I continue to believe they need to see what Obama does first (yes, this partially means being "reactive"), is translating their sentiments into practice. If you believe in minimal gov't, it isn't in a vaccum. As a candidate, you would have to specifically spell out what you would do with programs such as medicare, social security and organizations such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
