The GOP’s push to recovery is not an easy one
Thirty years after Ronald Reagan ushered in a period of conservative preeminence in American politics, the Republican Party finds itself attempting to chart a path back to power. Following a resounding defeat in presidential and congressional elections in November, conservatives are gathering across the country to discuss what must be done to remake their party and reclaim the hope and optimism that citizens associate with the Reagan years.
Most commonly observed is a need to return to the basics of small government and fiscal responsibility. Living up to such principles facilitated a 1980 win for Ronald Reagan and, subsequently, Republican leadership in the White House for 20 of the past 30 years.
Lessons from 2008
On Nov. 3, a survey was taken of likely voters in Virginia, Florida, Ohio, and Colorado that yielded interesting results. Most surveyed voters supported offshore drilling and lowering taxes for everyone, including high earners. As longtime Republican media consultant and CNN contributor Alex Castellanos pointed out to the HPR, “The result of the election was not reflective of a leftward shift; this is very much the same country. Republicans got rejected not because we believed the wrong things, but because we did not live up to those beliefs.” Voters no longer trusted the Republican Party because of President Bush’s fiscal irresponsibility and abuse of executive power: Bush’s time in office saw government spending rise more than 55 percent.
However, regaining credibility on fiscal issues is only part of the solution. The Republican leadership also needs to develop a clear vision for addressing the pivotal problems that are facing Americans today, including health care and education. With costs approaching $4.2 trillion per year and continuing to grow, health care will remain a challenge weighing on the minds of millions of voters. In order to frame stronger health care proposals, Republicans must find ways to more clearly articulate their positions. They must also craft policies that allow families to save for out-of-pocket medical insurance and receive tax breaks for buying health insurance, while allowing individuals to carry their insurance from job to job.
The same principles can be applied to education reform, an area in which Democrats have regained the political high ground following the perceived failures of Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act. As Castellanos noted, instead of pouring money into schools and having children follow the money, policies can enable “schools to compete for kids.” If Republicans are to offer serious alternatives to Democratic education proposals, they must formulate policies that are more clearly based on such an approach.
Forging Common Ground
The Republican leadership will be out of the spotlight; Washington, D.C. will be dominated by the Obama administration and Democrat-controlled Congress. But the Republican caucus must unite with the new administration to collaborate on policy efforts to address the most pressing issues facing the country. This does not require the Republicans to alter their worldview or neglect their values but, rather, to find common ground in order to show the American people that “change” is not a uniquely Democratic phenomenon. Harvard political scientist Carlos Diaz told the HPR that “the Republican Party can’t be an opposition party, but must instead show that it can compromise and negotiate with Democrats, and bring forth a clear vision for what the future of America would look like in Republican hands.”
Diaz explained that “Republicans need to offer a clear and persuasive stance as to what their party stands for, beginning with fiscal responsibility, small government, and letting people spend their own money.” This cannot be accomplished through harsh opposition to popular Democratic proposals or by awaiting major mistakes by Democrats. Appealing to the conservative base and hoping for the best will also no longer be an effective political strategy. “Republicans cannot become hostage to any one faction and must again become a big tent party,” Diaz pointed out. They must seek out new blocs of voters and find ways to more effectively pursue the centrist voters who have become skeptical of their reputation as a party of evangelicals and aggressive interventionists.
“The American people,” Diaz concluded, “are looking for vision and leadership, regardless of party.” This year the Democrats were most able to satisfy these needs. Republicans must find ways to provide similar vision and governing competence if they are to return to political prominence in the coming years.
Thirty years after Ronald Reagan ushered in a period of conservative preeminence in American politics, the Republican Party finds itself attempting to chart a path back to power. Following a resounding defeat in presidential and congressional elections in November, conservatives are gathering across the country to discuss what must be done to remake their party and reclaim the hope and optimism that citizens associate with the Reagan years.
Most commonly observed is a need to return to the basics of small government and fiscal responsibility. Living up to such principles facilitated a 1980 win for Ronald Reagan and, subsequently, Republican leadership in the White House for 20 of the past 30 years.
Lessons from 2008
On Nov. 3, a survey was taken of likely voters in Virginia, Florida, Ohio, and Colorado that yielded interesting results. Most surveyed voters supported offshore drilling and lowering taxes for everyone, including high earners. As longtime Republican media consultant and CNN contributor Alex Castellanos pointed out to the HPR, “The result of the election was not reflective of a leftward shift; this is very much the same country. Republicans got rejected not because we believed the wrong things, but because we did not live up to those beliefs.” Voters no longer trusted the Republican Party because of President Bush’s fiscal irresponsibility and abuse of executive power: Bush’s time in office saw government spending rise more than 55 percent.
However, regaining credibility on fiscal issues is only part of the solution. The Republican leadership also needs to develop a clear vision for addressing the pivotal problems that are facing Americans today, including health care and education. With costs approaching $4.2 trillion per year and continuing to grow, health care will remain a challenge weighing on the minds of millions of voters. In order to frame stronger health care proposals, Republicans must find ways to more clearly articulate their positions. They must also craft policies that allow families to save for out-of-pocket medical insurance and receive tax breaks for buying health insurance, while allowing individuals to carry their insurance from job to job.
The same principles can be applied to education reform, an area in which Democrats have regained the political high ground following the perceived failures of Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act. As Castellanos noted, instead of pouring money into schools and having children follow the money, policies can enable “schools to compete for kids.” If Republicans are to offer serious alternatives to Democratic education proposals, they must formulate policies that are more clearly based on such an approach.
Forging Common Ground
The Republican leadership will be out of the spotlight; Washington, D.C. will be dominated by the Obama administration and Democrat-controlled Congress. But the Republican caucus must unite with the new administration to collaborate on policy efforts to address the most pressing issues facing the country. This does not require the Republicans to alter their worldview or neglect their values but, rather, to find common ground in order to show the American people that “change” is not a uniquely Democratic phenomenon. Harvard political scientist Carlos Diaz told the HPR that “the Republican Party can’t be an opposition party, but must instead show that it can compromise and negotiate with Democrats, and bring forth a clear vision for what the future of America would look like in Republican hands.”
Diaz explained that “Republicans need to offer a clear and persuasive stance as to what their party stands for, beginning with fiscal responsibility, small government, and letting people spend their own money.” This cannot be accomplished through harsh opposition to popular Democratic proposals or by awaiting major mistakes by Democrats. Appealing to the conservative base and hoping for the best will also no longer be an effective political strategy. “Republicans cannot become hostage to any one faction and must again become a big tent party,” Diaz pointed out. They must seek out new blocs of voters and find ways to more effectively pursue the centrist voters who have become skeptical of their reputation as a party of evangelicals and aggressive interventionists.
“The American people,” Diaz concluded, “are looking for vision and leadership, regardless of party.” This year the Democrats were most able to satisfy these needs. Republicans must find ways to provide similar vision and governing competence if they are to return to political prominence in the coming years.