Oldiesfreak1854
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Posts: 13,674
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« on: December 15, 2012, 07:26:25 PM » |
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1. Don't get so caught up in ideological purity. It cost the party too many winnable elections in 2010 and 2012, and if it continues, it will cost us even more. I'm not saying that the GOP shouldn't stand for conservative values, but we need to realize that half a loaf is better than no bread. Stick to your guns while compromising where necessary for the good of the party's electoral future.
2. Prioritize economic issues. This doesn't mean addressing social issues, it just means placing less emphasis on them. Most voters are more conservative on economic issues than social issues, and over the past 20 years Republicans have alienated moderates with playing up social issues and the culture war so heavily. It makes us look like a bunch of religious, anti-science, misogynist nuts, which we are not. The religious/social conservative vote is now solidly in the GOP column, and as such, it is time to focus less on those issues without ignoring them entirely. Republicans can still stand for social conservatism, but just don't play it up a lot. Take a lesson from the Conservative Party in Canada.
3. Improve outreach to women, racial minorities, Jews, etc. Many of these groups would seem like natural fits for the GOP; women and blacks for the Republicans' history of fighting for civil rights and women's suffrage, Jews for their fiscal conservatism and support of Israel, Latinos for their strong social conservatism and natural distrust of big government, Asian-Americans for their opposition to affirmative action, and so forth. Democrats have been successful in advancing the (false) narrative that Republicans are racist, sexist, homophobic, and anti-Semitic, all the while waging a "war on women" and trying to deport all immigrants, especially if they look like Mexicans. Do a better job of communicating our positions on these issues. For example, explain that we are against illegal immigration, not all immigration, or explain how conservative economic policies benefit all Americans and not just the rich. Tailor our message based on our constituencies and their demographics. (Yes, Democrats, that means micro-targeting, like what Karl Rove did in 2000 and 2004.)
4. Finally, educate the public as a whole as to how conservative policies (in all areas) are better for them personally. Show them how our policies lift people up rather than keep them down, and show them that Republicans will stand for that. Prove to them that the GOP is a party for all Americans and will work to improve their lives, ensuring that America's best days are still ahead.
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