REPLIES TO THE CURRENT QUESTION

Our question last week was:

What major steps must the Republican Party take to prepare for the 2010 elections?

Here are your answers.  The name of a writer is included only if he or she actually placed a name at the end of the message.  Otherwise, we assume the writer wished anonymity and "name withheld" is inserted.

Actually, there is only one step necessary, but it is a giant step backward. The Republican Party has to go back to where they lost sight of what being a Republican means, articulate that vision and find candidates for public office who will not lose sight of the vision once they have gained a place at the table.

An ancillary task would be to try to inculcate that vision in those already in office as avowed Republicans. The primary task of our elected officials is not to get reelected as most, if not all, of those currently in office seem to believe. Reelection should be a result of performance in office not a task to be performed to the exclusion of all other duties. The excuse usually offered is, "If I don't get reelected I can't _______."   Fill in the blank with whatever happens to be the cause of the day in your state/district.

This naive, myopic view of public service might not prevail in the short run, but if enough honest, ethical, conservative candidates can be found to oppose the current crop in Washington on both sides of the aisle, it could start an interesting few years.

Don Newell

I'm a 28-year-old Republican, and quite frankly am embarrassed to admit that to most of my peers. The biggest step the GOP can take to prepare for 2012? Help my generation see that Republicans aren't just a bunch of old men in back rooms smoking cigars and counting their money. Honestly, it may sound ridiculous, but it's true. Help my generation understand that, if they want to be successful business owners and leaders, fiscal conservatism and capitalistic ideals must come back to Washington D.C.

In return, I think my generation can help the Republican Party see that there are certain moderate issues out there that are here to stay. What can the GOP do? In my humble, 28-year-old opinion, they need to return to their core fiscal values, move toward the center on social issues, and find a fresh face who is intelligent, young, experienced, and willing to think outside that sometimes small GOP box. It's time they stopped catering to the aging core, but thinking toward the future.
 
Katie B.
Montana

Nothing.

It appears the bulk of folk currently running or representing the national Republican Party have neither the integrity or fortitude to do anything other than bow toward Chicago in obeisance to the mighty "O."   Most are so gutted and worthless, they have no other moves left - except, of course, to resign.

Maybe if those sorry excuses for politicians could sit at the feet of Thomas Sowell for a year or two and relearn common sense and good governance, they might have a chance at redemption. But in all likelihood their gigantic egos will not permit that to occur.

49erDweet

Q: What major steps must the Republican Party take to prepare for the
2010 elections?
A: Provide some leadership and tell folks how to weather our current
financial crisis.

(name withheld)

1.  Stop letting the Democrats set our agenda.
2.  Focus.
3.  Do whatever needs to be done to eliminate every hint of corruption.
4.  Stop acting like Democrats; eschew earmarks.
5.  Project attitude of confident leadership; don’t be shrill.
6.  Instead of reaching out to ‘target’ groups, reach out to all with a message of integrity and the willingness to do what needs to be done, to sacrifice what we need to preserve the Republic.
7.  Remember that God gave us two ears and one mouth. Listen twice as much as you talk.
8.  Remember Ben Franklin’s advice: “Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.”
9.  Recognize our future candidates; listen to them,  use them wisely, stand by them, support them.
10.  Restore State’s rights and educate the public as to the proper role of the Federal government.
11.  Push for the Fair Tax and educate the public so they understand that everyone will benefit from a tax process that rewards hard work.
12.  If we have Republican officeholders who disgraces our ideals, withdraw from them and make sure that all know that we disapprove of them.  
 
Robert Bush

Find the common thread that unites the party and pulls in independents. Fiscal responsibility. Peace through strength. Lowering the tax burden on businesses and working families. Clear statements of purpose and contrast with the Democrats. In a word, think Reagan.

Shine a light on the burdens and lack of choice created by Obama and the Democrats. Not with ominous music. Just: Here's what the Democrats think is a good idea. Here's what we think is a good idea. Which do you prefer?

Example: The Democrats think it's a good idea to take more of your money and decide for you how it should be spent. We Republicans think you make better decisions on how to make best use of your hard-earned money than politicians do. And that those decisions are what helps the economy to grow. Which do you prefer?

(name withheld)

1.  Don’t panic. Now is not the time to abandon the ideas of the conservative movement started by Bill Buckley and instituted by Ronald Reagan.  The call from our “friends” on the left and the Boston-DC corridor of “conservatives” to become more like the Democrats is the kiss of death for our party.  It was not the ideals but the abandonment of them that has cast the party into the wilderness.  The election of 2004 saw not only the reelection of GWB but an increase in seats in both houses of Congress by Republicans.  Profligate spending and corruption from the supposed party of adults had as much, if not more, to do with the next two election debacles as the unpopularity of the war and the Katrina fiasco.  Thank you, Tom Delay!

2.  Don’t just say “no” to the socialists, but don’t be afraid to say “no."  The Democrats are holding all the cards.  In a year the strategy of blaming it all on Bush will have worn thin.  Propose alternative, market based solutions to the socialist grab Pelosi/Reid/Obama is attempting to impose on the American people.  Do not go along to get along.  Turncoats like Arlen Specter, Olympia Snowe, and Susan Collins should be shamed as often as possible, if not by their Senate colleagues, then by party activists.  In the case of Specter the repercussions of his “stimulus” vote may have cost him reelection.  Good riddance!

3.  Recruit party activists at all levels of society; state, and local, among traditional conservative constituencies like Reagan Democrats and new ones like Hispanics, and yes even blacks who share our ideas on traditional values and education.  The Buckley/Reagan worldview is a compelling one.  Articulate the ideals of our founders and compare them to the perversion of those values by Pelosi/Reid/Obama.

4.  Use the “new media," like the internet.  Learn from the Democrats who have mastered this new media to reach out to voters.  Publicize great innovators like Roger Simon of Pajamas Media, who are able to bring to bear a stable of conservative/libertarian thinkers who, though they owe no allegiance to the Republican Party, nonetheless express a variety of ideas that can find their home in the traditional Republican sphere.

5.  Find a gracious way to dismiss Michael Steele.  He is a good man, but the party needs a smooth and seasoned operator like Haley Barbour who can organize and move the party forward without the gaffes.

6.  Stop airing dirty laundry in the liberal media.  Newsweek likes nothing better than putting a conservative in its lead article to trash the Republican Party.  I respect David Frum, but giving vent to one’s anger at Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin in a publication of the enemy does no good for the party.  And make no mistake, Newsweek is the enemy.