Jamie

Weinstein

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November 24, 2008

Four Steps for a Republican Comeback

After the Republican Party's recent spate of electoral defeats in 2006 and 2008, party leaders are looking for ways to revive the Republican brand in order to return to power. Here are four suggestions.

1) Get out in front and cooperate with Barack Obama on areas of agreement.

Clearly in the minority, Republicans cannot be seen as negative Nellies. There are areas where cooperation between Democrats and Republicans is possible, and in those areas Republicans should be proactive in helping pass such legislation.

But Republicans should do better than just cooperating. They should get out in front. For instance, before Barack Obama releases an energy proposal, Republican leaders should hold a press conference to issue their own "bi-partisan" energy plan. Now, unfortunately, drilling in ANWR is not going to get passed with the Democrats in control of Washington (heck, it wasn't passed with Republicans in control of Washington), but there are plenty of areas of agreement between Republicans and Democrats on energy that some type of acceptable bill could be produced. Why not have Republicans out in front on this issue?

Once this legislation is produced, Republicans should flood the airways with a positive message of cooperation in promoting their energy plan. The American people do not want to see the opposition always opposing.

2) Pick your battles and fight them with a smile

Yes, Republicans should cooperate when possible, but cooperation will certainly not always be possible. There are just some issues where cooperation and compromise with Democrats is untenable.

Republican leaders should pick their battles wisely and fight hard when bills come before Congress that are out of line with conservative principles. And especially on those issues where most Americans would agree with the Republican position, Republicans should hit the airwaves to articulate principled opposition.

Two issues immediately come to mind where principled opposition will be necessary and potentially politically advantageous. The first is a possible bailout bill for the automobile industry.  As it currently stands, the American automobile companies seeking a bailout are unsustainable.  Loaning them money would be akin to throwing money in the garbage.

The second issue such that is likely to arise is the Employee Free Choice Act, which would effectively eliminate secret ballots in determining unionization. The act allows for "free choice" in the same way the Democratic People's Republic of Korea allows for "democracy." Unions have been increasingly marginalized and they see this legislation as their path to become more relevant. But Democrats will have a hard time defending a proposal that effectively replaces the secret ballot with the card check system, which is open to coercion and intimidation, for the obvious reason that it is indefensible and stands squarely against the very values upon which America was founded. Republicans should be all over the airwaves opposing this outrageous bill when it comes up.

In fighting these battles in Congress and on cable news shows, however, Republicans can't appear to be bitter and angry. They need to be happy warriors when articulating their message. They must remember the words of the great Winston Churchill: "I like a man who grins when he fights." Fight away, but let's remember that smile.

3) A Big Tent does not mean Republicans give up their message.

It should be obvious, but too many on the Right think it is heretical to support a big tent Republican Party. They prefer ideological purity. If you don't agree with their vision of "conservatism" on every issue, well, get out of the Republican Party, Jack.

This is a perfect strategy for electoral failure for a generation.

Republicans do not and should not water down their message on core issues such as life, foreign policy, taxes and limited government. But the party should recognize that sometimes reasonable people disagree. There is room for pro-choice Republicans in the party. There is room for those who don't think Sarah Palin was a particularly great choice for vice president. The day that there is no room for such people is the day the party dies.

Again, no one is suggesting that the Republican platform be changed in a way that eliminates the core issues that represent the identity of the Republican Party. But in the same respect, the party is big enough to incorporate those who disagree on a tenet or two. In fact, if Republicans want to win on some districts in this country, they will need to depend on such people.

4) Walk the walk

One of the reasons the Republican Party was rejected by many Americans in 2006 and 2008 is that congressional leaders lost their way. Republicans came to power promoting limited government and ended up supporting bills that greatly expanded the federal government. Even more embarrassingly, too many Republican members of Congress used their office to enrich themselves. This must change. Republicans must get back to their roots and live by the principles they articulate on the stump.

To the dismay of many on the left, news of the Republican Party's demise is premature. But the party of Lincoln must regroup for success in the 2010 elections and beyond.

© 2008 North Star Writers Group. May not be republished without permission.

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