Future of the Republican party?

[Mehmentum]

The official game plan seemed to be to moderate on immigration and hope that that was enough to win over Latinos.  Trump seems to have thrown a wrench in that plan, at least temporarily.  What do you think the GOP should do?

[Bigby]

Moderation plus Libertarianism.

[ElectionsGuy]

They should take on a path of libertarianism, if they want to be electable in the future. Over half of America describes themselves as economically conservative and socially liberal. And they don't necessarily have to be pure libertarian on national security, just in favor of civil liberties and skeptical of pre-emptive military action.

However, its clear that the path the GOP wants is a mixture of populism and hardcore conservatism.

[Clark Kent]

Moderation plus Libertarianism.

This, essentially.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Some sort of attempt to incorporate the marginalized into a broader definition of "American" so as to prevent further attempts to popularize identity politics. Let the Democrats have a rainbow coalition, the GOP will champion a broad belt of gray.

[Blue3]

So people are saying the future of the GOP is Rand Paul...

well, he certainly isn't its present.

[Frodo]

With the base of the Republican Party firmly rooted in the (white) South, going whole-hog libertarian is probably not a good option if you want to hold on to the region.  And with the GOP priding itself on its appeal to the upwardly mobile and small business owners, going populist (aka Huey Long) is just as as bad an option.  And going hard-core conservative is a sure way of turning off prospective voters as well as the youth in your own party who are more moderate than their elders.

So going somewhat moderate on issues like gay marriage, immigration, and on healthcare (i.e. Obamacare) offers the GOP the best prospect of maintaining its viability in this century as the white vote continues to shrink and the Silent Generation steadily dies off.  

 

[Simfan34]

Some sort of attempt to incorporate the marginalized into a broader definition of "American" so as to prevent further attempts to popularize identity politics. Let the Democrats have a rainbow coalition, the GOP will champion a broad belt of gray.

Yes. Cathcon as usual speaks sense. Neither black nor white nor brown but simply American.

[RFayette]

Some sort of attempt to incorporate the marginalized into a broader definition of "American" so as to prevent further attempts to popularize identity politics. Let the Democrats have a rainbow coalition, the GOP will champion a broad belt of gray.

Yes. Cathcon as usual speaks sense. Neither black nor white nor brown but simply American.

Yep.  The more people that can be "mainstreamed," the better the GOP does.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

More Libertarianism, Protectionalist on outsourcing, as you see with surge of Trump. But, recklessness and Tea party House, won't allow them to compete with Latino and Black vote, with obstruction on Earned citizenship & min wage.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

I don't think it can be saved, to be quite frank.

The Republicans' problems are different from the problems the Democrats had in the early 2000s.

[Leinad]

So people are saying the future of the GOP is Rand Paul...

well, he certainly isn't its present.

That's Rand's fault, not his ideology.

[YaBoyNY]

More Libertarianism, Protectionalist on outsourcing, as you see with surge of Trump. But, recklessness and Tea party House, won't allow them to compete with Latino and Black vote, with obstruction on Earned citizenship & min wage.

How are you both Libertarian and protectionist?

[Kingpoleon]

Moderation on social issues. I would say focusing on results in balanced budgets, cutting taxes, and creating jobs, rather than cutting "entitlement programs", would be more efficient.

[smoltchanov]

Really torn between "moderatoin" and "libertarianism". But rather sure it will be one of these two... May be - both..

[hopper]

More Libertarianism, Protectionalist on outsourcing, as you see with surge of Trump. But, recklessness and Tea party House, won't allow them to compete with Latino and Black vote, with obstruction on Earned citizenship & min wage.

Well the Latino Vote has more to do with income and how long they have been in the US. It also has to do with how they are still connected with their country of origin. Yes immigration reform is always a hot topic.

The Black Vote-the GOP has a long ways to go at least start to chip into the Dem's advantage there.

[Horsemask]

I want to say moderation, but realistically the libertarianish wing will likely gain power.

[Lincoln Republican]

Moderation and populism.

As for Libertarianism, we will pay lip service to get their votes, but we really don't want their wacky ideas in our platform or in government policy.

As for Conservatism, the more useful and sensible conservative policies will become government policy. 

[ElectionsGuy]

Moderation and populism.

As for Libertarianism, we will pay lip service to get their votes, but we really don't want their wacky ideas in our platform or in government policy.

As for Conservatism, the more useful and sensible conservative policies will become government policy. 

Oh yeah, small government and fiscal conservatism, so wacky, I know.

[Leinad]

More Libertarianism, Protectionalist on outsourcing, as you see with surge of Trump. But, recklessness and Tea party House, won't allow them to compete with Latino and Black vote, with obstruction on Earned citizenship & min wage.

How are you both Libertarian and protectionist?

Just because he says that's where the Republican party should go doesn't mean it's his views.

[Likely Voter]

I voted 'moderation' but the key thing for the GOP is to shed its image as the party of white people. There is no future for that. Within a generation America will be a majority-minority country, just like CA is today.   

[Skill and Chance]

I voted 'moderation' but the key thing for the GOP is to shed its image as the party of white people. There is no future for that. Within a generation America will be a majority-minority country, just like CA is today.   

I used to think this, but after 2010/14 I'm not so sure.  Immigrant identity inevitably fades over time and the diversification of the country has thus far been roughly matched by increased block voting among whites.  At this point the GOP could be going nativist enough to enact a new Immigration Act of 1924 the next time they have a federal trifecta (obviously without explicitly racist 1920's language).  How would Dems respond in that world?

[Figueira]

Moderation, both for the GOP's interest, and my own. In the short term I'm fine with the GOP losing every presidential election by nominating Trump/Carson tickets, but in the long term, I'm not a fan of dominant party systems.

[bobloblaw]

Moderation has never won an election.

[bobloblaw]

Actually everything is pretty fine at the state level. 31/50 governors and 70% of the state legislatures is the best the party has been since the 1920s.

The problem is McConnell and Boehner who won big in 2014 then proceeded to act as cronies by passing TPA and saving the X-M Bank