1. Message:The GOP has stuck with the same ideological platform since 1980 because Ronald Reagan was successful with it. It worked at the time period but times change and voters change. At the time the Democrats were the party of the "South." So they tried to tap this resource emphasizing on no big government and the party of family values. They were overwhelming successful because who wins the "South" now? Over time though by only catering to to "Southern Values," the GOP has slowly lost support in the Purple States. These are the states that win Presidencies. At the time they also had to separate themselves from the taint of Richard Nixon. They also pounded repeatedly that they were the party of true Patriotism. This worked at the time because we have just got out of the disaster of Vietnam and were in a power struggle with the U.S.S.R.. There was also the corruption of Richard Nixon and the "Watergate Scandal." So American's were not very enthusiastic about the government's decisions. The GOP needs to reinvent their message to serve all the American people not just their base that they have created throughout the years.
2. Promise
For years the GOP has adopted the identity of being the party of less taxes and cut government spending. They have also labeled Democrats as "tax and spend." Over the years the American people have discovered that this identity was not very true anymore. Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush have had more government spending than any other Democratic administration has in recent history. Over time the GOP has become what they accused their opponents of.
3. Tactics
The GOP in recent years have used very negative campaigning to make the American people doubt the character of their opponents. This has worked greatly in recent elections. The "Achilles Heel" to this tactic is the overwhelming polarization it causes in the country. In recent years people are tired of polarization and want Democrats and Republicans to work together. The American people now realize that the partisan in-fighting gets nothing done and the people suffer for it. It has gotten the GOP elected but has turned around to bite them in the end.
4. Religion and Social Issues
Recently the GOP has attempted to bring the die hard religious and die hard social issue on their bandwagon. These two issues are what has pushed away moderate Democrats and Independents that have overwhelmingly voted for Reagan. This is how the GOP has tried to appeal to the "Bible Belt." This has made the Purple States turn more blue. The GOP has took hard stances on abortion, gays, and church in government. Instead of trying to compromise these difficult issues, the GOP would not budge. The American people have just become sick of stubborn government. The GOP needs to sever ties with religion and stay neutral.
5. Solutions
For over 30 years now the GOP has had the same solutions for every problem our country faces.
Economy: Cut taxes and cut government spending.
Foreign Policy: No diplomacy and who cares about our allies.
Health Care: The system is fine the way it is.
Energy: Until recently they said, "Who cares about the environment?" Oil is good.
The GOP can keep their conservative message but as Ronald Reagan would say, "Where's the beef?" Redefine your solutions for the current time period. This is 2008, the same solutions are not going to work until the end of time.
This map compares which counties Democrats have improved on since 2004. GOP you have some work to do. Your platform is not working anymore. I'm a Liberal and I love to see this but if the GOP shifts it's platform more to my views, you will win my vote. Right now you are totally out of the mainstream of America. Do Work GOP! lol
Posts
