GOP’s New Brand Same As The Old Brand?
By Justin Gardner | Related entries in 2012 Election, Conservatism, Republicans
That’s the claim from Republican congressman Mike Pence.
When asked by Chris Wallace what “conservative solutions” the GOP would bring to their current minority-party status, Pence said social issues like “the sanctity of marriage” will remain the backbone of the Republican platform.“You build those conservative solutions, Chris, on the same time-honored principles of limited government, a belief in free markets, in the sanctity of life, the sanctity of marriage,” Pence said.
The Indiana representative cited the ballot measures against gay marriage that passed on Election Day as evidence of the continuing presence of conservative values.
“There were three state referendums on marriage … all three carried. The vitality of the conservative movement around the country is very real,” said Pence.
Pence is set for the No. 3 spot among Republicans in the House of Representatives, while Rep. Eric Cantor is generally viewed as the heir to the No. 2 position.
If what Penceis claiming is true represents what the GOP is planning to do, they’ll will have a difficult time returning to the White House. Because people aren’t really too hot on the ideas of limited government and free markets these days, and the sanctity of life and marriage as wedge issues are quickly falling out of favor (especially with young voter), regardless what ballot measures suggest.
What do you think?
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November 9th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
I agree that so called “wedge issues” are losing favor, but I find it hard to believe that the ideas of limited government and free markets will lose popularity. I think the “Ron Paul Movement” proved that…I’ve never seen a political movement gather so many different types of people to one single cause, it just had the wrong messengers and was poorly managed.
November 9th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
The GOP’s dilemma is that the religious right is still a huge bloc, and they need to keep them, the libertarians and the swing voters on board at the same time to have any hope of a majority - yet the religious right and libertarians have wildly diverging sets of priorities and agendas, and swing voters usually have an altogether different set. The party managed to hold these three groups together for most of the Bush administration, but this past Tuesday not only most of the third group, but a sizable minority of the first two groups demonstrated their willingness to defect to the Democrats after finding the GOP wanting.
At this point it may be that the Republican Party is simply doomed, because it’s just not possible to hold those three critical groups together anymore.
November 9th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
If the Republican party fixes their sights on simply maneuvering to keep various factions in check, then, yes, Joshua, they are doomed. But there are core (American-core, not Republican-core) concepts of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that can absolutely resonate with modern voters. We’re going to see over the next couple of years that no matter the good intentions, the government is ill-equipped to solve problems for individual Americans. If a party, any party, can better equip Americans to help themselves, they’ve got a bright future.
November 9th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Folks,
All 3 responses make good points, especially Exiled’s last point. It’s about not feeding them fish, but teaching them how to fish, as the old proverb says. But, from what I’ve heard from friends and family, those who voted Republican are still repeating exactly the same b.s. talking points now as before the election. Most people tend to take political rhetoric for what it is; a sales pitch intended to close the deal. There are many people, though, who believe the nonsense literally, word for word.
I know you can say the same thing about Dems as well. Can Obama really bring about such drastic change to our Gov when his political upbringings are as controversial as the Chicago political machine? Not that I understand what that actually means, mind you, but it’s what many are asking.
Here’s an intriguing article from the Weekly Standard written by P.J. O’Rourke on why the Republican Party has failed the American people. If you have time it’s very telling on many levels:
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Utilities/printer_preview.asp?idArticle=15791&R=13CD5192BC
November 9th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
It also depends on how Obama does. If he turns out to be another Clinton on free trade and reducing entitlement spending, we could be in for some prosperity and independents will move into the D column. If Obama truly is a liberal and tries to do all of the stuff he campaigned on in the primary, then this country will not be able to compete on a global scale, and we will have another Jimmy Carter.
All the republicans would have to do is get a canidate who can connect emotionally with voters, and he would be a shoe in.
If the charisma and historical narratives are the same and therefore cancel eachother out, republicans win on issues nearly every time.
Why are ballot measures not a proper gauge of how the country is politically? To me, that is exactly the way to gauge it.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:14 am
http://www.balloon-juice.com/?p=13651
November 10th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Alarmingly, I find myself agreeing with you an awful lot these days, Jimmy. The post election serves you well.
Obama appears to be smart enough to learn from Dems past mistakes, and past successes. I think we’ve seen a lot of signals that Obama is governing from the center, and will avoid Carter-like mistakes. He knows right where the ideological splits in this country really is, and who is where. Unfortunatly, the ballot messures are an excellent test of political tempurature. Remember, Obama has stated he’s not in favor of gay-marriage, while I guess that he couldn’t care less about it. I’m sure if it were politically expedient, he’d be for it. Obama is clearly paying attention and will navigate smartly. He’ll hold the center, and keep the Repubs squirming between their political rock and a hard place. Their only hope is major Obama flub - a long shot at best.
November 10th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
I thought Pence was pretty sharp when he spoke to the initial rejection of the bailout proposal, in particular his Lehrer appearance. Of course, Rip Taylor could look calm and collected if he were sitting next to Barney Frank as Pence was. His socon tendencies make me like him less, but what’s new. Doesn’t mean he’s not savvy and pertinent on a lot of issues.