How does the GOP rebrand and reinvent nationally as a party?
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  How does the GOP rebrand and reinvent nationally as a party?
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Author Topic: How does the GOP rebrand and reinvent nationally as a party?  (Read 3612 times)
Suburbia
bronz4141
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« on: January 17, 2019, 12:23:21 AM »

Political pendulums swing. We are a two-party nation, but we want more options, but stuck with the GOP and Democratic Parties.

How does the GOP rebrand and reinvent itself nationally as a party, after Donald Trump, Mike Pence, Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh? The party is popular in the South, the Midwest (Heartland), but not popular in the East and West Coasts. The Republicans almost lost Georgia, Arizona, Texas in the 2018 midterms. They lost the Northeast and West since 2006 and 2008 elections.

They did not listen to the 2012 post-election autopsy which showed that the GOP needs to do better with black, Latinos, women, white college educated voters. Although, Trump did better than John McCain and Mitt Romney with black and Latinos despite his negative remarks towards them.

Midwestern states with large white populations and large black urban populations like Ohio and Missouri are trending Republican, they can't rely on these states along with AR, KY, WV forever.

Once the older, whiter conservatives in the Villages, Florida die off, will Florida be reliably Republican voting in off-year elections? Young Cuban-Americans in Florida are swingy/Independent, although they still are economic conservatives.

Social conservatism is not popular in the East and West Coasts, but still is seen as popular in some Midwestern and Southern precincts.

How does the GOP rebrand and reinvent nationally as a party post-Trump?
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TML
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« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2019, 01:18:58 AM »

They need to take a page from conservative parties in Canada and Europe. Specifically, they need to embrace the scientific consensus on climate change, as well as support some form of universal health care. They also need to embrace policies favorable to demographic groups other than white men.
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Wazza [INACTIVE]
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« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2019, 08:26:53 AM »

-Actually be fiscally conservative/responsible on the federal level

-Become less hawkish and more anti-interventionist

-Distance itself from creationists, fundamentalists, etc. and at the very least don't outright deny climate change/global warming.

-Don't nominate loudmouths like Trump
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RINO Tom
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« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2019, 11:24:33 AM »

1) I think both parties/ideologies are somewhat constrained in their ambition for electoral success by the time and atmosphere they're operating in.  In a very polarized time like right now, they'll both play tug of war and make small gains (only to give them back up).  However, in eras that decidedly seem to favor a certain ideological direction, that is when parties "build" their coalitions, IMO ... they then tend to try to do everything possible to keep these people together until something else big happens.  In the 1920s, conservatism was winning because things were good, and more importantly there wasn't much of an appetite for increased government control of, well, most things.  In the 1930s and 1940s, trust in government was forced to be high, and liberalism won the day.  You see this with some Democrats in the 1920s sounding like "conservatives" and some Republicans in the 1930s sounding like "liberals" - they both had to.  They both, of course, still occupied the space to the left and right of their opponents, respectively, but they HAD to shift their views to adapt to the national electorate's desires at the time.  (This refers mostly to Presidential nominees, of course.)  I think this simple truth makes it hard to answer this question.  However, I will try under the guise of the following situation happening:

A decidedly progressive Democrat (though not one from the far left of the party ... so maybe a "standard liberal" who is forced to move way left but in a more authentic way than Hillary?) defeats Trump in 2020.  Let's say he or she wins re-election in 2024, and a Republican is narrowly elected in 2028.  Somewhere in this Republican's term, there is a pretty bad recession, ala 2008.  A Democrat wins handily in 2032 and even more easily in 2036.  By this time, Millennials can fully exert influence on the party, and we see a lot of very progressive economic reforms.  We also see social reforms in a progressive direction, but that is going to matter less.  At this point, I will try to predict what a GOP that wants to (and needs to) reinvent itself to get back into power should do:

2) A successful conservative party usually seems to come to power by pointing out to the electorate that the liberal or progressive reforms that happened "recently" (last few decades, let's say) were great and all, but they are no longer needed, and they have gone too far.  This is why the GOP had some Congressional success toward the end of FDR's term, it's why Ike was able to win (his landslide was because he was Ike ... a more standard Republican would have won in 1952, as well) and it's why Nixon was able to win in 1968.  This is all my opinion, of course, but the GOP does best when that is it's message; it then usually plateaus with a landslide when "things are going great," and then things swing back to a liberal direction.  I am not one to believe in dumb "cyclical theory" and that type of noise, but I think that is a pretty good (if oversimplified) description of the "left-right dynamic" in this country.  In the above scenario, where the Democrats have been in power and had their way, this would be my advice to the GOP:

- Rephrase economic CONSERVATISM as economic RESPONSIBILITY.  This is what the GOP had a legitimate claim on during the New Deal Era; they weren't going to take away your Social Security, they were simply going to be better, more responsible stewards than the wasteful Democrats.  If taxes need to be raised for a LEGITIMATE purpose, that is different than raising taxes for an ILLEGITIMATE purpose.  Obviously, the distinction is up for debate, but the GOP has become too rigid on the issue of fiscal responsibility to the point where it's irresponsible and simply adhering to dogma.  Right-wing fiscal dogma is easy to paint as "for the rich only," and it causes a lot of professionals who might be better off under us to vote Democratic, as it also leaves a huge void for *economically moderate Democrats* to fill which we should frankly be occupying.
- Rephrase social conservatism as resistance to radical change, not support for reactionary thought.  It's all about defining "normal."  Right now, the Democrats have done a decent job of phrasing themselves as "normal" and the GOP as antiquated.  The GOP needs to support SLOWER social progress, not NO social progress.
- Make creative environmental initiatives our thing.  Tax breaks for companies who are more green, for example.  CONSERVATION should again be a part of CONSERVATISM.  If you think all of these rural people aren't actual environmentalists (not the granola-y kind that care as much about what it *means* to be an environmentalist as they do actually protecting nature), then you have never spent any time in a rural community, IMO.  Hunting and fishing and having a bonfire in a field aren't exactly the anti-animal and fumes-emitting dumb hick traditions that some Atlasians probably see them as; they're legitimate ways to connect with nature.  Your average Republican would be MORE than open to protecting the environment if they didn't constantly see the weirdo hippies out in Denver talking about how dumb and evil you are for using a straw at a restaurant.
- Stop phrasing economic redistribution in terms of White vs. minority dog whistles, as some Republicans do.  Taking more of "your hard-earned money" would hit home with plenty of affluent minorities if they didn't feel fundamentally unwanted (at best) or threatened (at worst) by many in the Republican Party.  It's the big bad government that will waste your money and always wants more of it anyway vs. you, the hard-working taxpayer.  Taxpayers come in all colors.

I'm no political genius, and that much is clear.  But conservatism as it was presented by Dwight D. Eisenhower (adjusted for the times, most obviously) is far from outdated, and it will never be.  You need to present a conservatism that works for everybody (well, for most people, anyway), regardless of their race or gender or where they live.  There are obviously groups and geographical areas we'll never win, but there are plenty we "should" be winning but aren't.  This would be a good first step, IMO.  We don't need to become super pro-choice to win more women.  We don't need to support total amnesty to win more Hispanic voters.  We don't need to completely abandon references to God to win more secular voters.  Leave the crazy and out-there strategies with liberalism and the Democratic Party where they belong; our space is to provide a modified, more responsible and better thought out alternative to pie in the sky ideas.  Whether that is opposing blanket amnesty but being open to all legal immigration, opposing $15 nationwide minimum wage hikes overnight but acknowledging it needs raised and indexed to inflation or any number of other examples, that is what I believe conservatism should be.  It can still stand for tradition, nationalism, liberty, private enterprise, etc. without coming off as reactionary.
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Technocracy Timmy
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« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2019, 11:37:29 AM »

Tack more to the center on economic issues, tone down the relgious zealotry, and swap your Hispanic bashing in favor of bashing high skilled immigrants in and around metros. The last point shouldn’t really exist but the Party’s base must have a group to froth at the mouth at.
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RaphaelDLG
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« Reply #5 on: January 17, 2019, 11:42:03 AM »

One nation conservatism or Christian democracy could be incredibly successful nationally. I might actually even be tempted to vote for one of those Republicans.

The GOP won't adopt that unless it is forced to by a level of success that the Democratic party has not yet enjoyed since the Monroe era.

In the meantime, it can continue to be fairly successful with its combination of sucking up to the donor class, stoking racism and xenophobia, using its well-developed propaganda arms, appealing to white identity, exploiting the anti-majoritarian nature of the US constitution, and aggressively disenfranchising as many voters as possible.

So I don't really understand the point of this topic.  The GOP is doing just fine and doesn't need to rebrand or reinvent.  Maybe if Trump ends badly it'll take awhile to shake off the stink.  But I expect they'll bounce right back.
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warm istanbul
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« Reply #6 on: January 17, 2019, 10:12:35 PM »

It won't. More likely they will continue to crank up voter suppression efforts for as long as they can get away with it, ensuring the electorate stays white even if the country becomes less so.
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RINO Tom
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« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2019, 11:53:32 AM »

It won't. More likely they will continue to crank up voter suppression efforts for as long as they can get away with it, ensuring the electorate stays white even if the country becomes less so.

I interpreted the premise of this topic to take for granted that the GOP can "no longer get away with it" from an electoral standpoint.
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darklordoftech
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« Reply #8 on: January 18, 2019, 09:13:22 PM »

Stop the conspiracy theories. Instead of saying that shooting survivors and parents of shooting victims are actors, talk about how Joe Biden banned students from carrying guns.
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Kamala’s side hoe
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« Reply #9 on: January 18, 2019, 09:21:29 PM »

- Rephrase social conservatism as resistance to radical change, not support for reactionary thought.  It's all about defining "normal."  Right now, the Democrats have done a decent job of phrasing themselves as "normal" and the GOP as antiquated.  The GOP needs to support SLOWER social progress, not NO social progress.
- Make creative environmental initiatives our thing.  Tax breaks for companies who are more green, for example.  CONSERVATION should again be a part of CONSERVATISM.  If you think all of these rural people aren't actual environmentalists (not the granola-y kind that care as much about what it *means* to be an environmentalist as they do actually protecting nature), then you have never spent any time in a rural community, IMO.  Hunting and fishing and having a bonfire in a field aren't exactly the anti-animal and fumes-emitting dumb hick traditions that some Atlasians probably see them as; they're legitimate ways to connect with nature.  Your average Republican would be MORE than open to protecting the environment if they didn't constantly see the weirdo hippies out in Denver talking about how dumb and evil you are for using a straw at a restaurant.
- Stop phrasing economic redistribution in terms of White vs. minority dog whistles, as some Republicans do.  Taking more of "your hard-earned money" would hit home with plenty of affluent minorities if they didn't feel fundamentally unwanted (at best) or threatened (at worst) by many in the Republican Party.  It's the big bad government that will waste your money and always wants more of it anyway vs. you, the hard-working taxpayer.  Taxpayers come in all colors.

We don't need to become super pro-choice to win more women.  We don't need to support total amnesty to win more Hispanic voters.  We don't need to completely abandon references to God to win more secular voters.  Leave the crazy and out-there strategies with liberalism and the Democratic Party where they belong; our space is to provide a modified, more responsible and better thought out alternative to pie in the sky ideas.  Whether that is opposing blanket amnesty but being open to all legal immigration, opposing $15 nationwide minimum wage hikes overnight but acknowledging it needs raised and indexed to inflation or any number of other examples, that is what I believe conservatism should be.  It can still stand for tradition, nationalism, liberty, private enterprise, etc. without coming off as reactionary.

Well said! Plastic straws are kind of wasteful though.
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Sumner 1868
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« Reply #10 on: January 19, 2019, 03:03:20 AM »

Truth be told Drumpf coalition would probably be quite salient it if wasn't for his sleaze and Russiagate. We see that increasingly in Europe. It's a question of the messenger, not the message.
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OSR stands with Israel
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« Reply #11 on: January 20, 2019, 04:17:39 AM »

Truth be told Drumpf coalition would probably be quite salient it if wasn't for his sleaze and Russiagate. We see that increasingly in Europe. It's a question of the messenger, not the message.

The Europeanization of the major parties has been the worst thing to happen to American politics.


The GOP was much better when it was the party of Neo-Liberal Conservatism than it is of European Style Populist Right Wingers
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President Johnson
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« Reply #12 on: January 20, 2019, 05:11:54 AM »

Truth be told Drumpf coalition would probably be quite salient it if wasn't for his sleaze and Russiagate. We see that increasingly in Europe. It's a question of the messenger, not the message.

The Europeanization of the major parties has been the worst thing to happen to American politics.


The GOP was much better when it was the party of Neo-Liberal Conservatism than it is of European Style Populist Right Wingers

I fully agree.

But I don't know where it exactly goes long term. My concern is the Republican Party becomes some version of Fidesz in Hungary, which used to be a center-right conservative party supportive of international organizations etc. Now it has turned into a right-wing populist, nationalist and protectionist party that opposes immigration and suppresses voters and the press. On the other hand, I think the current Republican path is not sustainable due to demographics, because their voter coalition old, white angry men and a few super rich guys alŕ the Koch brothers won't get them elected nationally for decades to come. Maybe they learn their lessen after a series of defeats and become a more center-right party with streak of libertarism. Meanwhile, I hope the Democrats don't go too hard left.
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« Reply #13 on: January 20, 2019, 07:44:30 AM »

They don't need to, if WWC vote as a bloc, which they are headed to in the future, they can lose the popular vote by even larger margins than 2016 and still win the election. They can also strip lots of voters' rights, especially with a 7-2 SCOTUS majority they will have soon.

Europe has become more fascist over the past few years and the same will be true for America, sounds like a contradiction but climate change will increase GOP (and other white nationalist parties) support, as it will increase the number of refugees worldwide and make white people look for the most extreme solutions to keep them out, including genocide. The attacks at the caravan are a trial run.
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QAnonKelly
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« Reply #14 on: February 14, 2019, 09:08:35 PM »

-Moderate on social issues
-Embrace some sort of universal healthcare
-Tone down rhetoric to make up ground with Latinos and moderate college educated white people
-Become more secular
-Believe in science
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Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee
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« Reply #15 on: February 15, 2019, 03:18:34 AM »

It won't occur through these arbitrary impositions. It will occur via the path of least resistance made possible via a group alienated from the other party.
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DC Al Fine
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« Reply #16 on: February 15, 2019, 06:20:17 AM »

It won't occur through these arbitrary impositions. It will occur via the path of least resistance made possible via a group alienated from the other party.

This.

Also I like how we are talking about how a party that held the trifecta six months ago can stay relevant.
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Insomnian
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« Reply #17 on: February 15, 2019, 02:07:35 PM »

It won't occur through these arbitrary impositions. It will occur via the path of least resistance made possible via a group alienated from the other party.

Yes. And the path of least resistance is clearly just doing Trump 2.0, but with lots of pandering towards Latinos. Keep Trump-like stances on foreign policy and trade and deficits and policing, but moderate on immigration.

It's probably the inevitable outcome since I think moderate Latinos are the lowest-hanging fruit in the Democratic coalition for Republicans.
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Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers
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« Reply #18 on: February 15, 2019, 02:28:54 PM »

The GOP won't have the face of Trump in office, come 2021. They will have DeSantis in office who would be the frontrunner for the GOP nomination come 2024; however, Dems have maintained a lead in the popular vote, since 2000 and it would be very hard for the GOP to match that, without, somehow getting in, like Trump, on a technicality with the EC college, they have lost the popular vote 4/5 elections.
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Insomnian
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« Reply #19 on: February 15, 2019, 02:57:46 PM »

The GOP won't have the face of Trump in office, come 2021. They will have DeSantis in office who would be the frontrunner for the GOP nomination come 2024; however, Dems have maintained a lead in the popular vote, since 2000 and it would be very hard for the GOP to match that, without, somehow getting in, like Trump, on a technicality with the EC college, they have lost the popular vote 4/5 elections.

2016 was probably an abberation in the gap between PV/EC, because presidential campaigns usually don't try to campaign in "safe" states, like the Clinton campaign in California or Illinois. I don't think the GOP can count on a permanent electoral college advantage (that's crazy-talk lol).
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QAnonKelly
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« Reply #20 on: February 15, 2019, 06:38:25 PM »

It won't occur through these arbitrary impositions. It will occur via the path of least resistance made possible via a group alienated from the other party.

Yes. And the path of least resistance is clearly just doing Trump 2.0, but with lots of pandering towards Latinos. Keep Trump-like stances on foreign policy and trade and deficits and policing, but moderate on immigration.

It's probably the inevitable outcome since I think moderate Latinos are the lowest-hanging fruit in the Democratic coalition for Republicans.

Agreed. I definitely see the GOP in the next twenty years or so being able to make up significant ground with Latinos. They’re more rural and less college educated than Asians and without the shared history of AAs. So on paper I think they’re the most likely non white group to inevitably become more Republican.
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Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers
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« Reply #21 on: February 15, 2019, 06:46:19 PM »

It won't occur through these arbitrary impositions. It will occur via the path of least resistance made possible via a group alienated from the other party.

Yes. And the path of least resistance is clearly just doing Trump 2.0, but with lots of pandering towards Latinos. Keep Trump-like stances on foreign policy and trade and deficits and policing, but moderate on immigration.

It's probably the inevitable outcome since I think moderate Latinos are the lowest-hanging fruit in the Democratic coalition for Republicans.

Agreed. I definitely see the GOP in the next twenty years or so being able to make up significant ground with Latinos. They’re more rural and less college educated than Asians and without the shared history of AAs. So on paper I think they’re the most likely non white group to inevitably become more Republican.

No, Latinos, just Blacks are subject to racial profiling by police and gun violence. Latinos in TX, FL and AZ are more likely to vote Dem, but Dems can win the Latino vote in CA, NM, CO, NV, IL, NJ, NY and Black vote in VA, 279 freiwal.
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Insomnian
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« Reply #22 on: February 16, 2019, 12:23:39 AM »

It won't occur through these arbitrary impositions. It will occur via the path of least resistance made possible via a group alienated from the other party.

Yes. And the path of least resistance is clearly just doing Trump 2.0, but with lots of pandering towards Latinos. Keep Trump-like stances on foreign policy and trade and deficits and policing, but moderate on immigration.

It's probably the inevitable outcome since I think moderate Latinos are the lowest-hanging fruit in the Democratic coalition for Republicans.

Agreed. I definitely see the GOP in the next twenty years or so being able to make up significant ground with Latinos. They’re more rural and less college educated than Asians and without the shared history of AAs. So on paper I think they’re the most likely non white group to inevitably become more Republican.

I mean, they also might just become white people. https://prospect.org/article/latino-flight-whiteness
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Orser67
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« Reply #23 on: February 16, 2019, 09:52:26 AM »

Reince Priebus's autopsy laid out a good strategy for reinventing the party, but the issue for Republicans is that their base (the religious right, right-wing businesspeople, angry old white people) has a proclivity for supporting people who are either hard right or who are otherwise unappealing to the broader electorate.

I'll add that, in addition to the usual recommendations that Republicans moderate and find ways to appeal to non-whites, I think they should focus on being the "sane," reasonable party.
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Tekken_Guy
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« Reply #24 on: February 16, 2019, 04:08:58 PM »

It’s really too late at this point to save themselves. They will have to cede power to the dems before they can succeed again.
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