What does the Republican Party have to do to become more relevant?
By CNN's Jack Cafferty:
To say that the GOP needs to do some soul-searching in the aftermath of the 2012 election may be putting it mildly.
Mitt Romney failed to connect with the majority of American voters, but the Republicans' problem is much bigger than Romney.
As one longtime Republican leader told Politico, the GOP needs to realize it is too old, too white and too male. He might want to add "too rich." This Republican said the party must figure out how to catch up with the demographics of the U.S. before it's too late.
It's well-known that Romney lost big among key voting blocs such as Latinos, women and young voters in the states that decided the election.
That might be because as conservative CNN contributor David Frum put it, "The Republican message is no longer relevant to middle-class America."
Frum told MSNBC that it's not just that Romney lost, but that in the past six presidential elections, the GOP has lost the popular vote in five of them. Frum said that over a generation - a "once majority" party has become a "nonmajority" party.
Republican positions on issues such as women's rights and immigration are big factors here.
And it doesn't help when you have Republican candidates such as Todd Akin making completely ignorant comments about rape.
If Republicans want to start winning elections instead of losing them, they're going to have to make some changes so that they don't continue to look like they're stuck in the 1950s.
Here’s my question to you: What does the Republican Party have to do to become more relevant?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 5pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
Three simple steps is al it takes....Ready? Here Goes...
1. Show up to actually do your job of representing your contituents. They put you there to do a job, not to dodge one.
2. Be rational, reasonable and willing to execute a decision that involves compromise. I hear rumblings along that line now, but 6 months ago before you lost your collective asses in the election, you were all or nothing hardliners. I think there is a lesson buried in his fact somewhere.
3. Think about the majority of Americans for a change. A majority is suffering. It takes a majority to win an election. You left a majority out in the cold for the last 4 years pursuing your own party interests and it cot you big time on election day. I think there is another lesson buried in that pile of factual data as well.
Smell the coffee people. You have a new fresh clean slate to draw what your party will be going forward. Be careful with it. The markers are not dry erase and the American public has seen you for what you are. Paint a nice picture for going forward ifyou want to survive.
Jack: The Republican Party needs to review the 2010 Census by state, by ethnic groups, and examine each area of this nation. Most of America is in the lower or middle income groups. George W. Bush might have his base, but it might not get him elected today. Republican Governors are more interested in stopping people from voting by shorting early voting days, asking voters for Picture ID which discriminates against the elderly and poor who do not have a picture ID. The Republicans have to be the inclusion party not the exclusion party. Learn by your mistakes now or 2014 will see less Republicans in Congress than today.
Abandon the tea party movement, tone down the religious talk and represent more than just the 1%. Then they wouldn't really be the Republician party, would they.
I guess we'll have to wailt until the Democrat party completely destroys everything, Jack.
Not pander so much to the extreme right and put the needs of America first – not the social issues. They also should be more independent thinking and not be lead around by the nose of their caucus leaders in Congress. They all need to remember they are there to represent the people who elected them, not the lobbyists who try to buy them or their political party that puts Party before country. Trust your voters once, you might be surprised. A large majority of the country wants Citizen's United overturned.
The axiom "perception is more powerful than reality" applies here. The Republican party is perceived to be a party that represents white, well-to-do, anglo saxon protestants and that is an ever declining group in America today. That perception does not invite minorities, the unemployed, uneducated and the poor to join GOP ranks. And, since these latter groups are now the majority in this country, the Republican party is on a political path to oblivion. Sad, but true.
Gary in Scottsdale, Arizona
Pray Lindsey Graham falls in love and gets married.
The same thing that the Democrat party needs to do to become more relevant. Quit catering to the outer fringe elements. Be it Left OR Right wing.
Honestly Jack, I don’t think Republicans will have to change anything. Over course of the next 4 years under the Teflon President, we’ll see Obama Care fully implemented, gas over $5 per gallon, over $20 trillion in debt, GDP growth under 2%, 1 out over 4 in poverty and still no jobs. Republicans will just run around with their “Don’t Blame Me, I voted For Romney” bumper strikers saying “I TOLD YOU SO” Yes Jack, elections really do have consequences.
Finding a heart should be step one. They need a platform that they can sell to the public. When they try to tell people to not worry about what the platform says that they don't believe in it themselves the general public didn't seem to buy that lie. The electorate may not be very smart but they have learned that when a politiician tells you not to worry about something it's time to pay attention to what is not being said.
The Party of No is too narrow. It will go the way of the dinosaurs if it cannot accept changes in our very diverse country. Many Republicans stick to "my way or the highway." The Tea Party is holding the GOP to hard-headed, no-compromise ideas. The greed factor as exemplified by Donald Trump, Grover Norquist and many nameless, wealthy others is another major problem for the Republicans.
Jack,, As a staunch republican I'd say they need to do three things. Grow a pair, keep their word and move into the 21st century. IIt's all meaningless unless the two parties cooperate, work hard for the good of our nation and eliminate the rabid partisanship.
Al the best.....
Venture out of the conservative media entertainment bubble. Believe in science again. Let facts, not dogma, shape your policies. For one thing, please understand that the Great Depression and Europe's problems prove Keynes was right.
very simple, Jack. STOP being NUTS!!!
They need to get their own Conservative news channel to counter the Liberal far left MSNBC news channel.
It seems like lies and more lies are very effective in todays 24 hour news broadcasting.
It has to invent a time machine and go back to an era that is pre-Susan B Anthony. They might feel at home in 1750.
Wow, Jack, the list is so long, yet amazingly obvious. Mostly, I would have to say that public rejection of the far right radicals and evangelicals would go a long way in restoring their reputation. Their amorous embrace of Fox News and the super hostile radio blow-hards hasn't helped their image either. I doubt that they are really capable of change though, because of their weakness for bullies and manipulators.
Jack its simple, stop denigrating nonwhites, help craft meaniful immigration reform legislation, stick to basic conservative core values of individual responsibility and small goverment but make the party more " diversive" by actually incorporating minorities within the fabric of the party and not just as " window dressing" at election time.
The last sixty years has seen enormous changes in the U. S. in culture, race, and gender relationships. So if the Republicans want to become a more relevant elephant, they'll have wake up to the fact that it's not 1952 anymore.
Republicans should know that GOD chooses leaders & no amount of money to sabotage GOD,S annoited will work,they have to stop racisim,ignorance,liars & hatred
For starters, stop nit picking stuff out of their so-called good books and separate themselves from church and state. All that fuss about gays, rape, women’s rights, and such, cost them an election. Joining the evolving American culture would help, like bringing people in whose necks are not so red into their not so big tent.
Hubris is a symptom of spiritual blindness, and it is obvious that GOP leaders need to consume tons of common carrots! Republicans might win another presidential election if they support respectful immigration reform, women’s rights to equal pay for equal work, to make their own medical choices, tax reform and climate change legislation. Republicans also need to get over their homophobia if they want to attract more voters. We are all Americans, and we have several issues to respectfully work on, those unwilling to compromise in order to benefit all citizens seem increasingly
unpatriotic and certainly unworthy of my VOTE.
Pretty simple actually. Teach us why their proposed actions will benefit us as a country. The Democrats are pretty good at appealing to our sense of selfishness. They realize how a few extra dollars in our pockets buys our votes even though all of us realize the the debt will be our undoing. The Republicans need to teach us how what benefits the country will benefit us as individual citizens. Remind us why our sacrifices in the past have led to the greatest country in history. Remind us of the great acts of bravery and charity we provided as a country to the rest of the world when we were able. Once we are reminded of what being an American is all about and why we should all love our country so much, adopt fair tax policies that are good for the country and for business. Adopt tax rates without exemptions or loopholes for all, including the employees of the Federal Government. Trim the federal government of all the bureaucracy that is unnecessary. Mostly, provide a vision for and new goals as a country for future projects and goals. This is truly a great country to live in with freedoms most people could only dream of having. One of the parties needs to provide a vision for our future and I think the Republicans understand it, they just have to get past the hard-liners that are weighing them down.
I think the GOP is stuck in the 1850's and not the 1950's. Back in the "good ole days" the "good ole boys" didn't have to worry about women and blacks, because neither were allowed to vote. Back then, along as a man put food on the table for his woman and youngens, that was all that mattered!
They Have to Turn against Wall st. NOn working shareholders abuse of the worker.They have to turn against the 3rd world (general motors Korean)20th century deregulated auto industry Saturating our countrywith consumption malfunction m.p.g.autos increasing Barrels per day as if good that fuel is consumed that already drove us off a cliff where the oceans are destroyed and water suply ruined whle fossil fuel industry gets capital gains tax braks and free money from congress to destroy more sustainable resources.They also have to stop allowing housing speculators to abuse the people who might never get a house due to the perceived good the supply and demand squeeze has on housing prices.And Demand we kill the poppy farmers and stop the state dept importing every money worshiping powermongerign hippocrit who takes a house from us courtesy of unkle sam welfare.
Stop the stampede to the far far right. If the Tea Party wants to be a party then let them split before they split the party apart for good.
What does the Republican Party have to do to become more relevant?
They have gone so far to the Right that it will take them decades to move closer to the center, if every again. They shot themselves in the foot with their NRA guns. They have offended all minorites, all women, non Christians and REAL Christians, non straight people, the educated, etc.. To them, they have done nothing wrong and have resorted to call their ilk idiots.
Frankly the Republican party is toast, highjacked by TEAHADISTS and Evangelical Christians.
There is no way out for them now. You make a deal with the devil then you are stuck with him.
Jenna
Roseville CA
PS I am all for a 3 party system. Conservatives, Moderates, and Progressives. All the parties we have falls within one of these three categories and elections would be more balanced. More opinions are better than fewer opinions.
I have been a life long Republican, but the party left me. They have moved so far to the right that I can not support a single tea party candidate. Aiken just spoke aloud what the Republican party truly feels. So did Romney with his 47% remark. That was the only honest thing he said during his candidacy. How can you expect to win an election when where you stand changes from day to day? ALL Republicans will say anything to anyone if they think it will get them a vote. Just like Mitt. You want him to change his position, blow in his ear and he will spin fast to the other side. The Republican party is only concerned with the 1% and are upset because all the big money bags couldn't buy this election. The Republican party FAILED it's people, and wondered why the people will not support them. They forgot that not everyone drinks FOX news brand of kool aide and chases it with the pack of lies they have tried to sell.
The rich have had the Bush tax cuts for YEARS. It that created jobs, where the hell are they ???? It doesn't trickle down and the Republicans think people are stupid enough to keep buying that line of crap.
The election popular vote was very clowe the Republican party is relevant and up to date. The same was said of the Democratic Party when George W Bush won his second term. Having nay sayers such as Colin Powell certainly doesn't help the situation any-the Secreatry of State who decided to leave at 4 years because his wife did not want him to have the job.
Personally, they don't have to change anything. But seriously, the disrespect that the GOP shows to anyone who doesn't "look" like them or has dineros like them, has to change. When you tell people to "self-deport," you are not only talking to your base, but you are talking to relatives and friends of the "self-deporters."
They made up a character who is NOT President Obama (Muslim, socialist, Kenyan, European-style politics, and all that jazz), and then wonder why the rest of the world doesn't see the image they created in their minds.
They need to focus on fiscal issues and broad domestic policies instead of hiding behind the failings of the Democratic Party and advocating an ethnocentric ideology that does more to marginalize and separating Americans than to help them work together.
The GOP must first put a muzzle on all the far right and extremist in the party; maybe even teach a class on what the Republican Platform is and ensure they stick to it. It is critical the GOP leadership move the party towards the center on social issues and fight for economic policy. We honestly need new young faces willing to compromise and understand how a more perfect union is only attained on compromise.
Very simple: Listen to the people, not to the money. There is a reason that even billionaires have only one vote each. And don't pretend you care about 100% of the people when indeed you're not worried about 47% of them.
Stop being a "Clown Show!" Saturday Night Live don't have to look far for material. The Republicans always gives it to them!
South Carolina
Disband
They have to stop the scare tactics and recognize the separation of church and state.
Stop being bigots for one. And It's so obvious. Look at the results of this past election. Three red states elected Democratic governors and they in turned voted for Willard. The republican nuts and haters were shown the door. Akin, Mourdock, West, Walsh and others, gone. It looks like the Dems may pick up more seats in the house when all of the counting is finished. Jack, people are fed up with no action form Boehner. Remember, "Where are the jobs"?? Now it looks like Walsh and West are saying that? Maybe the nut who chairs the house subcommittee on the environment can put on the endangered list, Republicans. Now that is justice and Karma, And what do they say about Karma? It's a....what??
Silence the loons and whackos until they can work out their policy shortcomings with the American people. Just because we have freedom of speech doesn't mean the Republican Party has to give people like Todd Akin campaign money to damage the party's image and divide the country.
Jack, Republican leadership made a decision back in the late 1960's to develop a "Southern strategy" and pander to white Americans. Then Ronald Reagan came along and forged a coalition between big business and the religious right, which doesn't always mesh well and, quite frankly scares the hell out of a lot of Americans. Now the Southern strategy has played out and big business and evangelicals seem to be in a contest to see who can alienate the most people in this country with their actions and pronouncements. I don't see how the GOP can remain relevant without giving up its core values and completely re-making itself. They would have to openly court minorities and the working class with real change, not anti-Democrat rhetoric.
To be even close to relevant by the time the next election season rolls around, the GOP needs to drop all their social program issues, stop with the voter fraud fairy tale, become much less homophobic, open their party to other than token Hispanics and blacks, move much closer to the center ( or at least where they used to back in Reagan's day), and tell Grover Norquist to take a long hike off a short pier.
I want the GOP/Republican Party to DIE A PERMANENT DEATH if they cannot get their RIGHT WING NUTS & THEIR TEA PARTY FREAKS in line, along with the Limbaughs, Hannity, O'reilly, Beck, and all the CRAZY ENTERTAINMENT NUT JOBS OUT THERE!!!
Time for AMERICA to move to the MIDDLE and leave the CRAZIES BEHIND!!!!!LETS'S MOVE FORWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To be even close to relevant by the time the next election season rolls around, the GOP needs to drop all their social program issues, stop with the voter fraud fairy tale, become much less homophobic, open their party to other than token Hispanics and blacks, move much closer to the center ( or at least where they used to back in Reagan's day), and tell Grover Norquist to take a long hike off a short pier.
Hopefully, the electorate has taught them that the country as a whole is not as stupid and gullible as the Fox audience. The GOP strategy of saying whatever works over and over and assuming the public is too dumb to know what you've said in the past or what reality is, clearly did not pay off. If lying doesn't work. Try the truth. If you don't like the truth, then maybe you stand for the wrong things. The GOP has ceased to be a party that represents citizens, it is just a large lobbying group for the super rich. cy from arlington, va
The problem the republican party faces is that they cannot purchase relevance off the shelf nor at high end stores. Thus, their reaching out to women and minorities will be plain tokenism. It will take years to wash away the bad taste left in this nations mouth by such republicans like Allen West, Todd Akin, Richard Murdoch, Dick Cheney, etc. etc. and the ever divisive spewings of Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, Laura Ingram, Carl Rove, etc, etc, etc. Unless and until those aforementioned "zebras" are able to change their stripes I don't see the republican party gaining strength. Heck, I'm not even sure if its a facade that covers their veneer or a veneer that covers their facade. Either way their transparency does not make them look good to anybody but themselves and thats a hugh problem.
The republican party needs to get 95% of the white vote like obama got 95% of the black vote. It is really up to the white voters especially recent college grads who have a 50% unemployment rate. The dream act and immigration reform will do nothing for white young voters or white union members.
The Republican party needs to split into two parties: one that's fiscally conservative, and one that's socially conservative. One of those concerns has absolutely nothing to do with the other.
I could vote for a party that wants government spending and revenues to match.
I can't vote for a party that also requires me to want to ban contraception and abortion.
Benjamin Disraeli said it best, "Moderation is the center wherein all philosophies, both human and divine, can meet."
You don't want to hear my answer to this one. Funny how time changes things- and not always for the better. What a country (was).
In short, move to another country.
America is done.
This election proved once and for all that America has changed dramatically, from a once proud work and religious/moral oriented society to today's culture of laziness, entertainment 24/7, with the No.1 priority being to do what you please, have zero acountability, take all you can from the few industrious productful people still surviving in our growing Socialist dictatorial government.
Why would a Republican even want to be part of such a declining wasteland ??
To become more relevant, the Republican Party has to stop letting their more fundamentalist element drive their platform. In the early debates every candidate raised his or her hand when asked if they believed in creationism. Creationism, really? We have some pretty well established research from many noted scientists that proves that evolution is how our planet and the organisms on it survive and thrive. Moreover these folks seem to believe that their religious views need to be observed by people who may not believe that same things, and that laws should be established based on these same beliefs. Theocracy isn't working for the Taliban, and it will never work here.
It's all about the message, Jack. Get it right and keep the other guys from hijacking it with demonization. The GOP needs to emphasize the benefits of their core messages of self-determination and of limited, compassionate but fiscally-responsiible government. Most of all, though, they need to put a muzzle on the handful of crazies who seem capable of the impossible - shooting off their mouths and hitting everyone in the party in their feet.
I'm a Christian but the worst enemy of the Republican party is the religious right. Who have ignored the basic ministries and teachings of the scriptures and adopted the greed/creed of the Capitalist. They are not only killing the spirit of the country but worse the churches are declining, out of embarrassment and disappointment true believers are leaving . The church has robbed God by using our tithe money to send lobbyists to Washington to work against the ministry of caring for people, for profit and greed in the Church...We need to clean up government by outlawing pledge signing and lobbyists/lobbying.
All potential GOP candidates for offices above local levels should be required to take a "Clown test", if you pass it you are disqualified from running.
Be consistent. If they are pro-life, then take care of children after they are born, and be against capital punishment. If they are against government intrusion, keep government out of people's bedrooms. If they hate spending on big government programs, be against the huge military complex. And so on...
Carol in Northampton, Ma
The vast majority of Republicans need to decide to quit coddling both the racists and the rich and embrace both liberty and solidarity with workers – sending the rich to the Democrats while inviting the folks from Occupy into the party. If the GOP is not a workers party with a clear message it does not deserve to exist.
There isn't a Republican Party anymore they are all RINOs. One party 100 chiefs and no Indians.
For the Republican Party to become relevent again would require that they consider entertaining ideas and viewpoints other then their own. Never happen!
after over one Billion dollars spent, plus lots of lies about Obama and Romney got beat this bad. For the Republican Party to become Relevant they could Join the Democrat Party.
Jack: The GOP is finished! They created their own reality, and now will pay tfe price. To become relevant, they would have to become a different partr. Embracing evolution, gay rights, cease their efforts to suppress the African American bite, become pro-life, and enter the 21sr century. They would also have to excommunicate the Tea Partty. Get rid of their love affair with FOX. Cease going on talk alk radiio.
The Republicans need to stop trying to tell people how they should lives their lives. Things like who they should or should not marry. If they should or should not have an abortion. And realize that there are millions of illegal aliens in this country who's children we are already schooling in public schools and have been for years. Since we are already educating these children and giving them other government benefits we might as well legalize them and put their parents on the tax doll with social security numbers. Doing this would immediately add dollars to Medicare and social security.
Hit the wrong icon.
Cease going in talk radio. And divorce Rush Limbaugh. Since these are things they would never do, they are finished!
They need to stop thumping their bibles, come to grips with the fact that the gay lifestyle is normal for some and have some empathy for those that lost out and need help. This mess started on Bushes' watch, we sure didn't want to go back to that.
Just let the country collapse and start a new one. They love all what the Founding Fathers did so maybe it's time to return and keep all those spongers in the cotton fields and the women in the kitchen.
Realize that the American people chose the democrats to run the country. They had it for eight years under Shrub Bush and he just about destroyed the country, Obama has gradually brought the counry back to where it is showing signs of making a good solid recovery. What they still don't seem to understand that there are three branches of the government, the Senate, House and Executive Branches and the Democrats control two of the three which tell me the American people have spoken. One is we don't want the damn church running the government and we don't want some old fat evangelical Republican telling us how to live our lives, the Republicans have got to learn to stay our of the private lives of the American people.
Join the rest of us in the 21st Century!
Martha, Rew, PA
Embracing basic biology would be a good place to start.
Stop catering to the Lunatic Fringe (you as well, DNC!), pay attention to demographics, and chuck twits like Trump and Norquist into the nearest dumpster.
'Nuff said.
The Republican Party needs to purge itself from reactionary groups like the Tea Party, The Religious Right, The Party of "NO!), and stop being led by the likes of Newt Gingrich, Paul Ryan, Sununu, and the Trump ideologues. They need to find a way to respect minorities, embrace the change in demographics.
If they don't work with this President, they will reap the whirlwind with this country's populace, for they will finish the job and clean house in two years...literally.
Olga Olivia
Austin, Texas
Note to Steve in NY, who thinks the Republicans need their "own Conservative news channel to counter the Liberal far left MSNBC news". Republicans aleady have that. Its called Fox News.
If the GOP truly wants to become relevant again, become the party of "We will find a way".........
Republicans are going to have to tell Grover Norquist to jump off the bridge.
Drop the Tea Party!
The Republican Party is very relevant. The Senate is at a stand still and all legislation comes from the House which the Republicans still control. Obama can only veto or sign that legislation. In many ways, they are more relevant than the Democrats.
Stop being so hateful–that would be a good start.
How about telling the truth. The housing market is coming back, according to Home Depot, gas prices are going down, we will be energy independent by 2020, we are ending the wars, the stock market has doubled since Bush, and saying the nation is going down the toilet just won't fly with the info out on the social media. I think even Fox is getting the idea, by dropping Palin and the lady anchor telling Rove to basically take a hike is a start. You know the first party that actually tells people the truth would be refreshing to everyone. Why is this such a difficult thing to do? It would be hard to debate against.
like the senator graham said, don't keep reloading the damn gun with the same bad ammo
Take a look at demographics and realize that most groups that Republicans lost in this election is growing, and their base is continually shrinking. This is because social conservatism just doesn't resonate among these demographic groups – it's not the messenger, it's the message. A socially liberal, fiscally conservative party would be appealing to a large portion of American voters, but by instead doubling down on ideological purity the Republicans have ensured their increasing irrelevancy to a growing portion of the country.
Jack, this is for both parties. The first party to move to the center will be the party of the future. This will force the fringe elements of both parties to work together as the opposing party, thereby cancelling themselves out. Maybe the party that moves to the center should call itself the American Party.
Get rid of the tea party. Let the racist element of the party know that they no longer have a place in the republican party. Actively denounce the loud mouths like Limbaugh, Hannity, Palin, et all. Let the religious "right" know that they have become the religious "wrong". If republicans do the things necessary to make the party more inclusive, you will see minorities begin to listen. Some minorities agree with republicans on many economic and fiscal issues, including issues related to medicaid, but until they make the party more reflective of the make up of the country, the party will continue to be the party of old white men.
Once the GOP's old white male base dies off, it will be a Darwin moment for them.
Adapt or perish
Um, represent someone other than rich white men?
I'm a middle class married guy who built a successful life from the ground up based on a belief in personal responsibility, hard work and giving back. I could be a poster boy for the success of conservative principles but you've given the perception that there's no place for me in your party because I'm gay. On the contrary, there are those of you who believe I should be corralled in a camp with my own kind with food dropped in from the sky until we all die out. I would be one of your most ardent supporters under different circumstances, but I'll vote anything but Republican until you realign your moral landscape, lose the religious wing nuts and social conservatives and start focusing on "real" conservatism.
Either teach the minorities how jobs are created and how that will benefit them or offer them free phones, Rent and Food.
For one, decide if you're the fiscal conservative party or the Christian morals party. How the two became inextricably tied to one another is not-evident, but I suspect that they are alienating people (like perhaps me) who would listen to and engage in conservative financial conversation if it weren't part and parcel to legislating and governing by religion.
While we're on the subject; Small federal government and state's rights or amend the constitution to prevent the majority in a state from democratically approving of something that the religious right morally disapproves of (e.g. -same-sex marriage, or take your pick) They have a credibility problem with those two opposing battle cries. Pick a position and live by it. The worst that will happen is the someone may disagree with you, but keep listening because you appear to have conviction. When you contradict yourself like that, I don't trust you and I'm not going to vote for you.
Finally, how do you expect people paying 25% federal income tax to support your defense of paying 0-14% income tax because you're wealthier than them? How?
I want to come back to the middle, show me the way and I'll meet you there. Keep going the way you are and I've picked my side.
They can start by taking back control of their party from the small, extreme groups like the T-party that now lead the GOP around by the nose.
Don't let Fox News define you .
SOCIAL ISSUES they're going to have to realize them days of the "Good old Boys" voting them in are over. It blacks, latinos, women and gays who coming out in numbers. So they got to stop thumping the Bible and respect and address human rights. Being a Republican doesn't make you God.
They have to embrace the moderate wing of the Republican party and reject the extreme wing. Next time their candidate is asked at a debate whether they would support $10 in spending cuts to $1 in increased taxes say yes. They also have to at least pretend to care about minorities, women, and the poor and lower middle class, instead of insulting them as "takers" who are "dependent" on government.
We are suppose to be electing politicians, not preachers.
The GOP should have never abandoned the old Barry Goldwater standards. Even Goldwater knew that pandering to religious extremists would be a no-win situation.
But live and learn, Republicans.
Embrace stem cell research, and start cloning more angry white men...
Well, gerrymandering has served us pretty well. We could do some more of that, whatever that means.
For starters, they could stay out of women's business......and I mean that in more ways than one.
Kick the tea party out of government. Most of them are nutcases and a detriment to the country. Repubicans need to start tuning out spokespeople such as Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, Donald Trump, and Fox News, in general. Stop spouting hate, stay out of peoples bedrooms, and do not tell women what they can and can't do with their bodies. Also, leave religion where it belongs. It is a personal choice and has nothing to do with anyone else. Religoius right and evangelicans need to keep their opinions to themselves.
Jack, you can't fix STUPID!!
Repudiate, emphatically, the religious right. Religion has no business in governing this country, however, spiritual values do. Generally, those valuies include all people and do not exclude everyone who is not just like you. A party that puts up candidates like Akin and Mourdoch will never appeal to the majority of Americans. And, PLEASE try to accept some scientific principles even if they are not in the Bible!
Make Grover Norquist irrelevant.
Simple. Cross over from that parellel reality they live into ours.
I don't know what the Republican Party can do or are willing to do to become more relevant because now they are still suffering the after shock. They're probably more interested in getting even than becoming more relevant.
blah blah...you make it sound like the party is dead...same thing everyone thought of the Democratic Party 6-8 years ago. These things go in circles...at last check there are a boat load of Republican Govenors...and the US Congress is still controlled by a healthy margin of Republicans. So stop pretending Jack that you even really care about the health of the party...you where your blue as well as anyone!
As a transplanted New Yorker living in Missouri and listening to the people out here, I truly believe that Todd Akin spoke truthfully about how many people on the religious right think that rape and how a woman's body works. They really do filter their thinking through the litteral reading of the bible. I passed under a closed circuit TV screen over the door to my polling place, which is a church, flashing the message, "Please pray for guidance before voting!" Until they start to think for themselves, I will always vote Democratic.
They have to stop being so bloody clueless. We don't need more of the way you've been doing things for the last 20 years because that's what got us into this in the first place. Stop being hard line right. It's time to move toward the middle, and actually be one of the regular people, not the brainwashed masses and not the rich. They are completely out of touch with what its like to be everyone else.
The republican party began the redistribution of wealth with the Bush tax cuts and it is due to expire 12/31/12.
Yet for the past four years they have accuse President Obama of doing attempting to redistribute the wealth.
Jack my question is when will anyone in the media call the Bush tax cuts for what it is and what is has already done
redistrubuted the wealth from the once middle class and all hard working Americans that earn less than 100k per year directly into the pockets of the VERY WEALTHY to invest in the stock market of tax exempt bonds.
The Republicans needs to stop pretending that raising their taxes will kill jobs, we all know now that it is the biggest lie
they have told for years and continue to spew this lie to all the gullible people that will listen!!!
It's really simple. They have to moderate their views, especially on social issues. They will never win over the under thirty crowd by calling on constitutional bans on abortion and gay marriage.
Maybe Jack should notice the problem with his own party before pointing out the problems with the other side
The only thing they can do is start packing their bags to go wherever they came from.
Don't just reach out. Do something positive for people you are trying to reach. Republicans need to realize that it is not a failure of messaging, or that they just need to find a better candidate to convey the conservative ideology. People on the other side are tired of Republicans pretending that they don't exist, or telling them that they are slackers and moochers. Stop insulting the other side. When you are outnumbered, as this election clearly showed, don't tell the other side that it is their fault or they just don't get it.
Do you think that as a minority I don't notice when the Republican party says things which are slyly racist – like when Mitt Romney told a crowd no one needs to see his birth certificate? We are not blind. And we will not vote for a party that supports racists.
The ONLY way the GOP can become relavent again is to get off all these fringe issues, quit being the "opposition" to the Democrats, and return the federal Government back to its constitutional roots. As long as it allows the Democrats to dictate its platform (by opposition), it will lose!
1. Try separation of Church from State.
2. Try Equal Rights.
3. Try Honesty.
The GOP has 3 major factions: The Religous Right, the Tea Party and traditional fiscal conervatives who have in interest in shared government and reasonable discourse. Unfortunately, the zealots from the first two factions have overwhelmed the third and firmly planted the "Nut Job" flag for the entire party.
The GOP loves to harken back to the days of Reagan. But back then, the Tea Party didn't exist, and the Religious Right occupied the children's table. Every now and then the GOP might make some gesture to make them feel better, such as complaining about the "life decisions" of fictional TV characters, but it was understood that while they might have some rhetoric thrown their way, none of what they wanted would actually become policy. Bush and Rove changed that, and left many of us with the decision as to whether we were going to embrace a bunch of bible thumpers who questioned our morality and was intent upon having us live by their religous beliefs. Add to that the Tea Party in 2008, and you end up with an alphabet soup full of crazy.
What does the Republican Party have to do to become more relevant?
Answer :
Sooner or later some leading figure in the Republican Party will have to begin talking back to the Rush Limbaugh-Sean Hannity-Dick Morris-Grover Norquist Axis of Drivel that has made the GOP so unattractive to so many who might well embrace its policy agenda. In this past campaign, the people who might have taken on that job—Jeb Bush, Mitch Daniels among others—chose to stay on the sidelines. They will do so again at great cost to their party, and the country.
Jack, you’re right, the Republican Party is going to have to make a lot of fundamental internal changes. “Reaching-out” to minorities is not gonna cut it. “Tolerance” of Latinos, African-Americans, Asians, and LGBT’s is not gonna cut it. If Republicans truly want to gain voters and support from minority groups, they (Republicans) are going to have to start respecting minorities and treating them AS Americans. (News flash for GOP: if someone can vote, then they ARE an American). Republicans are going to have to STOP viewing everyone that disagrees with them as unpatriotic and un-American. The GOP has not just lost votes from minorities; but from people like me as well. I am a white male, over 50 years-old; that USED to be a die-hard Republican. That ended 4-5 years ago, when I could no longer stomach the racism, hatred, exclusion, fear-mongering, and stupidity that emanated from most of the Republicans I knew. While I voted for President Obama twice ( and I think he has done a good job, so far), that does not mean I automatically support all Democrats. I now take the time to measure each candidate politically, practically, and morally. Republicans are going to have to do undergo a hell-of-lot of fundamental changes to win my vote back.
Stop claiming that God is on their side.
Stop declaring that anyone who disagrees is a Commie or Socialist.
Stop insisting that they have a lock on "Morality".
Throw out anyone who claims that they represent "real" Americans.
Stop Lying to themselves and to the American people.
Fire FOX news.
Just look at a picture on CNN with the Republican gurus standing behind Boener. They all look so mean, stern and vicious. Who wants to be on their side? Conservative Christians are kind and embrace all God's children as equal. They don't lie like the current republicans bunch do, from Limbaugh down to the Fox News bunch and the Becks bunch. If you look at Mitch McConnel's mean face, it spells it all out for you. Down right Mean bunch. God help them! Do they really know God?
Until the Republican party realizes that a person's Freedom ends where another person's Freedom begins, they will continue to be irrelevant and on the wrong side of history.
First, they have to begin to accept the Ron Paul faction of the party, which is basically what the party used to stand for. Ignoring that faction this time around may have cost Mitt the election. Second, they have to disassociate themselves from the wild-eyed neocons and the Military Industrial Complex. The public has had enough of the endless wars. Third, they have to get away from legislating peoples' private lives and get out of the bedroom. What do you think the odds are of all three happening, Jack?
Jack republicans forgot where they came from. First off no one except for the Indians were indigenous to America in the beginning. Everyone else came from some other country with no passport or documents required.. Many years later republicans and democrats were born. Once you understand history you should easily see that immigration happens. Even illegal immigration. How people got here is not near as important as how they live together. No one had a passport when they first touched American soil many years ago and no one cared.
calling 47% of the electorate irreverent is as bad as calling 47% of the electorate dependent or should be.
The Republican Party needs to quit chasing shiny objects. I remember when the Republican Party was made up of a lot smart guys who discussed policy using muti-syllabic words. I also remember when they decided to embrace the so-called moral majority as a route to populism and increased voter turn-out. Next they turned to the Tea Party. The result is a confusing mish-mash of social policy that made the Republicans of the 2012 election cycle look like an American version of the Taliban. Now they're looking for another quick fix, another group to adopt, this time the illusive Hispanics. Maybe, it's time to decide what they really stand for. Is it fiscal responsibility or government intrusion into private behaviors. Do they really want to turn their back on the middle class, public education and modern infrastructure in favor of adding to the coffers of a wealthy minority?
It is currently impossible for the Republican party to become relevant. They willingly allowed themselves to morph into some sort of prejudiced, hate filled, self serving anger fed bottom feeder that has no interest in reality or the truth.
My suggestion would be that they focus on local and state elections where their dark age mentality is readily accepted.
Until the next evolutionary "blip" occurs and they, along with those that elect them, develop the ability to think rationally, they will never have one of their kind sitting in the White House.
They have an even more basic problem. They've become the obstructionist party. They are the party of five year olds that hold their breath until they get their way or just take yet another vacation to avoid a vote entirely. They spike the ball given the fact their way always revolves around tax breaks for the rich and cutting services that people pay taxes to get. A problem no one including the Democrats points out is they have already been given those tax breaks and they have never created one job. They represent a failed approach to government and the people are waking up to that fact.
The Republican party is welded to 19th century "family" values. They reject science, facts and education in general. Their economic policies are proven failures, more than once, and in more than just this country. Racism and bigotry are apparently virtues in Republican politicians. As are deceit and lying. Those who work for a living are disdained, while those who fleece them of their wages are glorified. What part of these Republican values do you think can be made relevant for any civilized country in the 21st century? This is not the Republican party of the 1950's and 60's. The Republican brand is badly tarnished, perhaps so badly that the best we can hope for is the sane members of the party (if there are any left) can split off and create a modern, ethical, relevant political party. I won't hold my breath.
Grow a heart.
If they genuinely believed as Jesus believed, they wouldn't even need to be told this.
First thing the 'GOP' should do is rebrand. It's working for AIG. Grand OLD Party -GOP- is no longer an attractive moniker for a club full of aristocratic and red neck white guys and their stay home wives. The party should hold a national contest to donate naming rights and raise funds for philanthropic or charitable organizations from nation's inner cities. Calling themselves the United Way Party or Big Brothers and Sisters Party would have some appeal to the voters they'll need to play agian in the presidential ballpark. A significant percentage of all campaign contributions and PAC funding would go to the winning charity. Every four years a different organization could lend their branding to the repub's cause in exchange for funding considerations.
Alternatively, drop the Republican handle and simply call it what it is – Corrupt Feeble Conservatives. CFC. They have no business branding as the party of Lincoln.
What does the Republican Party have to do to become more relevant ?
Answer : They also need to get rid of the Karl Rove's of the world, and the people who were working under the "W" regime. I was amazed when I turned to the "other" news channel during the election( for only a few minutes) that Karl Rove Just would NOT concede that Ohio went for Obama, even though CNN did, ( something like 30 minutes before) and he just went on & on & on in some type of "Rove Math" fantasy world. LOL
My wife told me IF she Ever ( and I mean Ever) caught me changing to that channel again, she would be reading me the riot act. She told me she doesn't know how anybody can watch all those people talk over one another, argue, and yell & scream at one another, without taking some type of zanex, or something. LOL
Three items in my list.
1. Disassociate from the crazy a.k.a The Tea Party
2. Whites aren't the only people in the U.S or the world for that matter!
3. Before making assumptions about a woman's right and/or body, ask "women" about your assumptions. After all, last I checked, men don't have the same organ as women do.
Miami, Florida
Here are some ideas:
1) Decide if you’re going to be about fiscal conservatism or promotion of Christianity. How the two became inextricably linked is somewhat beyond me. I for one would be happy to engage in balanced discussions about appropriate fiscal planning if it didn’t mean that I was also agreeing to overturn Roe v. Wade, even in cases of rape and incest.
2) Not unrelated, but are you for small federal government and state sovereignty or are you for legislating and governing the US according to Christian values? Because when you say you’re the former, then try do things like amend the US Constitution to prevent states from doing by majority vote things that “the church” disapproves of (e.g.-recognize same sex-marriage), then you just lose credibility on both arguments. Pick a position and live by it, the worst that will happen is that someone will disagree with you, but recognize your sincerity. You can’t have it both ways. You want me to vote for you? Pick a side and stick to it, don’t try to have it both ways, it’s hypocritical, it’s dishonest.
3) How do you expect working people paying 25% Federal Income Taxes to support 0-14% taxes for people infinitely wealthier than them? “Job creators” doesn’t work in the age of global outsourcing. Get real.
4) Stop lying, stop selling fear and hate. It doesn’t become you. Let me clarify who I’m speaking to the fiscal conservative or the religious right: YES, you! The birther, Obama’s a Muslim, it’s a cover-up, McCain has a black baby, Sesame Street is bring down our economy (not outsourcing or the military budget), Weapons of Mass Destruction, greeted as liberators, the 2008 banking failures were caused by OVER-regulation (really?), Fox News 24 hour hate and prejudice cycle. Shut down this smear machine (official and unofficial), what you gain in the racist, zeno-phobic, anti-everything vote, you lose with rational, educated people who might want to hear your thoughts on the economy if you could stick to that and leave the rest behind.
On the subject of Christian Rock the great philosopher Hank Hill once said “Can’t you see that you’re not making Christianity better, you’re just making Rock and Roll worse.” I think the same applies here. Greed, bigotry & indignation for the poor and their suffering are not the Christian values I was brought up with. And trying to legislate to the moral view of subset of Americans is the opposite of protecting freedom and building a small unobtrusive federal government. The marriage of these two ethos is driving people, like me, away from both.
First and foremost they need to ostracize the Tea Party, starting with Eric Cantor. Then they need to replace mythology with science, propaganda with education and outlandish pledges with rational thinking. In short, they have to be willing to leave the nineteenth century and embrace America's future in the twenty-first.
Stop being angry and lying.
It's not like Obama won a landslide or did a "shellacking" with the GOP! It wasn't that much of a "win". I am a white female who is a die-hard Republican. My family is Democrat, but it wasn't the party for me. I feel the GOP is going to be fine and we will find a way to come back on top!
Bill from Nebraska
Stop trying to tell us what a real american is, rather learn to govern in a way that includes all of us. It shouldn't be about what their perception of what an american should be but the reailty of what americans are.
They need to fly in the direction of the wind. America and the rest of the world keeps changing whether or not Republican party is ready for a change. They must drop the idea of Tea party, act intelligently when statements such as Todd Akin's are making news, discourage people like Donald Trump.
They need to realize that it is not enough if the party is rich, the campaigns should be rich too.
Come in to the 21st century – straight from the 19th century which is where they are now.
Theres nothing they can do except change their views. They hold the views of the country of the 1950's and do not hold the beliefs of the majority of the country.
They should keep on doing what they've always done until they're extinct. Guess what, they will anyway.
Change it's name to the Democratic party
Take up the issue of Pro-Marijuana...then I will become a Democrat.
The Republoicans need to fire Grover Norquist and disavow the "pledge."
Drop the culture war crap and embrace libertarianism.
The GOP needs to favor all minorities and races in its supported agenda. It needs to stop alienating things like gay rights and women's rights. ONCE that is supported, they might have a shot of getting my vote. Until then , the Donkey gets my vote.
I see that the Republicans need more of a variation when it comes to race, sex, age and social class, but just don't seem to know how to do it. They need to focus on courting more of these voters, while still keeping on track with the issues at hand.
The GOP can become relevant when it begins an honest, open and principled dialogue with the rest of the world. I have seen some softening on the part of some in the GOP. One has said that the GOP should agree to a tax increase. It is inevtiable. Some have started talking about changing the tone of its rigid right wing rhetoric. The GOP must decide whether the economic models of Ayn Rand and Milton Friedman are immutable "first principles" to be religiously followed or merely guides to be considered along with other economic models including Keynes.
They can be RELEVANT again perhaps on a 'Reality TV Show'? A la 'Republican Party Make-Overs' ... Prize? WIN an ELECTION ONE DAY??? lol 😉
This question misses the point that it's more about campaign financing than about Republican's values, platforms, etc. If campaign finance were to be completely reformed–fat chance given the Supreme Court's overreaching decision–Republicans would have to redefine themselves because the wealthy would lose their influence overnight.
I think that in order to become more relevant, the GOP needs to reach out to minorities by not being so extreme on social issues, embracing women and reproductive rights, and abiding by the principle that helping everybody will move our country forward, not just the super wealthy.
Stop believing everything they hear on Fox News
No brainer... no pun intended Jack... the Republican Party needs the FOX News (excuse the oxymoron) channel removed from their membership's cable programming!
Easy: Open ears, shut mouths.
Blah, blah, blah, Jack. The GOP still has the majority in the
House. No mention of that. Talk about being biased.
How can the Republican party become more relevant?? Well, disappearing would be a good start.
Get rid of Rush Limbaugh!
Adopt scientific thinking. Demand evidence for your ideas – ALL OF THEM – You don't get to make up your own ideas about rape and abortion and you don't get to insist that trickle down economics works – prove it.
Jack I have a feeling that this party and its ideology had reverted to the stone ages. Nothing will change my mind.
Have Rush as their President candidate and Carl Rove VP !!!
What the Republican Party needs is to abandon the idea that they are the opposition party and actually embrace their ideals. In short, they need to become libertarian.
Relevancy comes from the understanding of, not being condescending to, the American fabric. We are now a quilted nation of races, religions, economic levels, and sexual preferences. Republicans have to abandon their philosophy of fear and self appointed moral superiority and talk to Americans as human beings. Respect will come when respect is earned. Relevancy will follow suit.
The GOP ran as the group with all the business experience. If you view the election as two companies working for the same contract, the GOP was out managed at every turn. They either have to learn to excel at what they claim to be good at or as the Democrats have done, realized that the majority of Americans are shopping for different products and found ways to provide them. I don't know of to many companies that have succeeded on the premise you must shop only with us because we have determined what you want.
Change it's name to the Democratic Party. Aurora, IL
** What does the Republican Party have to do to become more relevant? **
Jack, the best thing the Republican-led House could do right now would be to vote "present" on every bill that the Democrats present to President Obama for the next two years.
That way, when things go wrong, the Democrats could not blame the "Republican obstructionists".
An added bonus for everyone would be watching the Media with no Republicans to blame.
What would the Media do for two long years with no Republicans to bash?
It's simple, get Colin Powell ready to run for 2016.
I'd like to suggest that the GOP disband itself. Stop attracting cowboys, evangelists and others with their heads in the sand. Also, make sure that Boehner takes a hike ..... How can anyone negotiate or seriously compromise when the GOP's sole motivation is to block progress ..... them and the Taliban .....
Jack,
The GOP needs to do nothing. It's great to run against a bunch of barking mad crackpots
Stop acting like a bunch of spoiled, whiney kids, belly up to the bar and pay their fair share to bail out the country, stop trying to force their personal beliefs on others and stop being sore losers who threaten to take their marbles and go home!
I'm perfectly happy with the GOP just as they are. Of couse, I'm a Democrat.
Adopt a Republican platform that is not dominated by upper class, white male "issues" that are still rooted in the 50's. In case they haven't noticed, the US electorate now includes females, LGBT, and people that are multiethnic, multiracial, and multi class.
Simply realize that we are in 2012. Time has gone past for division, hatred, and racism. Look at America we are now diversified. Martin Luther King told you in 1963 that Blacks and Whites would be holding hands as sisters and brothers. Well, someone needs to inform the Republican party that we are marrying, having children, going to Church, school, and work with people of other races and people of color. This is the
NEW America that Republicans are crying about taking back. You have not lost is, it just changed colors.
They need to change with America: Less morals, less ethics, less demand for honesty and a willingness to do what feels good. Then they'll be more modern Americans.
Jack,
The republicans will obviously have to change their stance on social issues and immigration. PERIOD
I can't even type the words.. Sorry I meant Republican
The God Obsessed Party must first see neuroscientists to address their Zombie God Belief Syndrome ( ChristPsychosis) that makes them to be stuck in the 12th Century. Sick Brains only create Schizophrenia Bizarre Beliefs of gods & Sin.
Sorry GOP, the BRAIN is the creator of the GOD delusions you suffer from.
They need to Get A Life 🙂
It's the same answer Louis Armstrong said when asked, 'What's Jazz?':
'If you have to ask, you'll never know.
They need to quit watching Fox news!
The Republican Party needs to stop catering to wealthy white males and those who seek to become wealthy white males.
(New Mexico)
The GOP must stop demonizing others like Illegals, China, women's rights, religious beliefs, money, liberals and the poor. America is about everyone. You simply cannot want to deport Mexicans and expect their vote. As long as they think they are elite and are not inclusive, the fewer their numbers will be. They cannot help themselves...
Demographically the GOP needs to distribute Viagra to their constituency just to stay in the game. The 60+ population will need something to just get to second base in the next 10 years let alone home plate in national elections. How else can the GOP even begin to hold their own....oh yeah, Obamacare will likely be paying for the Viagra...
Jack, it is so very simple - all they need to do is just become the Democratic Party. Then, we can have one party rule, and the move to a society of socialism ( and later, communism ) can be complete. It is so clear that the American people are no longer capable of running their own lives - let government take over.
This current manifestation of the Republican Party, I don't recognize, that's why I left it, to become an independent. If they would like me back, they can get out of my bedroom and work for fiscally sound policies and learn to compromise with the other side for a common good.
Gop needs to do 1 thing keep god out of their politics
They need to become something other than, and left of, the current definition of Republican. In doing so, they'll need to embrace the evil word "moderate." They might even want to consider becoming Democrats.
Very good question...don't let the Tea Party and far Christian right dominate the party. These groups have destroyed the party. Sen. Berry Goldwater warned if the Christian right took over it would destroy the party. Seems he was right!
Why would we want the Republican Party to become more relevant? I was kind of hoping they would just continue to seek support amongst a smaller and smaller chunk of the population.
Someone should explain to them that having a social conscious does not make them socalists.
They cannot come back for the forseeable future. Too many people have to be disenfranchised and told to keep their mouth shut. It shall not happen. Republican DNA is vulgar, bigoted, elitist, obnoxious, racist, and singleminded. even if they had people toward them, they would clearly make it known they sit in the back of the bus. It's over for a long time.
The GOP needs to drop the social issues like abortion, gay marriage,... and let individual decide these issues on their own. Then the GOP can concentrate on the conservative fiscal issues like the debt. This will be a strategy that will bring more followers to their cause.
Look up "confirmation bias" in the dictionary. Start accepting facts and theories derived from facts instead of believing what you want to believe because it fits your bias. The once great GOP has become the party of the rich and the stupid.
Romney lost by 3% of the popular vote. That's still a squeaker by any measure and it indicates the GOP doesn't have to do much.
Even if I knew the republicans could solve every possible problem, I still would not vote for them. Why? They need to drop the religious bullshit. Voting for the GOP would be like voting to de-evolve America. Didnt Clinton leave a surplus, and Bush leave a mess, both here and the middle east? The GOP,s thinking does not consider the future. America got it right this election year. Maybe Obama's not perfect, but he's better than the alternative. One last thought, it's time to let us play internet poker. Poker was invented in the US and people can't play. Embarassing
They can start by tearing up the Pledges they signed with Grover Norquist! When a politician signs a pledge to anyone or anything other than this Country and the people in it, there is something very wrong. A lobbyist, such as Norquist, is not the person who should be calling the shots! Once Grover is out, get rid of the Tea Party. They have damaged our political system almost to the point of no return. Let's get back to basics and rid our Capital of the fringe lunatics. We are a very diverse Country and will continue to be so. There is no room for "my way or the highway" in politics.
Stick to core issues of limited government and give the "social conservatives" the boot. They also need to understand this war with Iran (Persia) isn't going to happen!
I voted for the guy who says he will reduce the deficit by raising my taxes and cutting spending. The other guy said he would reduce the deficit by cutting taxes and adding 2 trillion in defense spending. I don't want free stuff, I just want a plan that does not fail basic math.
I am a Canadian living here in the US and from my observations living here is that if the American people continue to support the Democratic party because its easier to get handouts instead of putting your nose to the grindstone, America will collapse. Republicans are still supported by almost half the nations and in the end they will save you.
To become relevant again, the Republicans must ditch the Tea Party.. In the past two years, the Tea Party and their awful candidates has cost the Republicans seats in Delaware, Indiana, Missouri, Colorado, and Nevada. Had they won these seats, the Republicans would be the majority party in the Senate come January. Threats of Tea Party primary challenges has pushed one-time Moderate or willing-to-compromise Republicans such as Orrin Hatch and John McCain to the right. This is detrimental to the Republicans as a whole, as voters even in bright red states like Indiana and Missouri have shown that they would prefer moderate or even center-left Democrats to their far-right Republican counterparts. It also wouldn't hurt the Republicans to adopt a softer line on immigration. Their rhetoric about "amnesty" and "self-deportation" has scared the heck out of Latinos and drove Latino support for Republicans to even lower than during the Republicans' abysmal performance in 2008. The Republicans cannot win national elections without the support of at least a sizable minority of Latinos, and support for immigration reform would put a dent in their minority problem.
It appears that there is not much the Republican party can do to become more relevant to the US citizens. The US has become a country that is driven by a sense of entitlement. Current and past administration's lack of enforcement of immigration laws and lack of oversight on unemployment benefits and welfare have led to a society that depends on the federal government for their basic needs. Now we live in a country whose central government functions more like our European counterparts and in the next 10 years we will not recognize the difference in the US and the socialist governments in Europe. Our forefathers would be ashamed.
Trent (Texas)
Direct the radical religious right and the Tea Party wingnuts to the Lbertarian party ... and send Grover babe with them.
In this age of the population feeling that "I'm entitled to what you have", "It's my right", and "He's rich and I want what he has", the GOP will just have to offer more free stuff.
Stop representing greed and start representing the people of this great country ! Thats their job!!!
Republicans need to stop trying to bring the President down by any means necessary and learn to respect him; learn to respect the voters and learn to respect this country. Republicans need to get busy fixing the economy instead of looking behind bushes trying to catch the President brushing his teeth wrongly. Get over it or continue to risk losing a share of their electorate.
Jack,
They just need to change from Grand old party (GOP) to Grand New party (GNP)
"This Republican said the party must figure out how to catch up with the demographics of the U.S. before it's too late."
Ya know Jack, there is actually a party currently that is up-to-date with those demographics. So why would a reinvented republican party that is racing to catch up to the democratic party that already embraces those values and demographics be of any relevance anyway?
I'm a registered Democrat who watched the Republican primaries in complete disbelief. From the radical Michele Bachmann to the weakness of Romney, they all fought long and hard but didn't listen. The answer to the new Republican party lies in John Huntsman. He's conservative enough to be Republican but centrist enough to be open to the social issues of the Democrats. If he is perhaps on the short list for Secretary of State, he could be the new leader of the party.
Someone please explain to Jerry Jacksonville that the three branches of government are Executive (the President), Legislative (Senate AND House of Representatives) and Judicial (Supreme Court). The house and the Court are currently, if unfortunately, controlled by the GOP.
The GOP Relevant! Please dont make us laugh! We don't trust them! The word republican is taboo for us! So a name change is a great start, then the elephant logo needs to go, then their color Red needs to change!
Last but not least they need to care about other people besides whites in America!
I would suggest--never mind, the list is too long and I will vote for your party again. Damage done as far as this 62 year old working woman is concerned. The sports were shown and they cannot fade!!
C.Garland
Petersburg, Indiana
Maybe asking too much here...but they might appear to be a bit more relevant if they begin to act like they have completed a modern grammar school education. You know...Dinosours became extinct around 200 million years ago, and they were not domesticated by man..(.a species yet to be evolved during the reign of dinosaurs.) Global warming is real and industrial produced cabon monoxide is a chief contributor. Just look at the Greenland Ice pack...disappearing.
etc. etc. Being stuck on stupidiy is a great danger to our country.
I am an Asian American, fiscally conservative and strong believer in our Constitutional Republic. Republican party need to focus on: 1.Strong economy and continuing growth driven by innovation and limited regulations 2. Strong defense and National Security 3. Rules and Regulation to protect individual liberties 4. Leave the social, education, and family issues to local communities 5. Restain the size of government by balanced budget ammendment and keeping its take no more than 20% of the GDP.
Hand out FREE STUFF! FREE STUFF!! FREE STUFF!! Just like the democrats. Thsi is now Ameritopia!!! Everybody gets a particpation trophies!! Wee..
They are still very relevant, though the messages and truth has difficult time getting discussed due to the media bias and all the lies the Democrats and Obama has put out in the public domain. How about just letting the Democrats and Obama have it all their way over the next four years....then see how relevant the Democrat Party will be. Democrats will never give more than 35 % of the Latino vote to the Republican Party...period.
.
Rove has been backing the GOP into a corner for years.
And now the GOP is finally trapped in that corner.
.
Look up confirmation bias in the dictionary. Stop rejecting evidence that doesn't fit your biased world view on issues like climate change, evolution etc. Between the 1% whiners and the "birthers," the once great GOP has become the party of the rich and the stupid.
Stop pandering to the uber rich 1% that have given the appearance of having bought the republican party, work more for a greater part of the country. Learn how to compromise on hard issues that a majority of the country wants settled instead of passing useless bills that can never be accepted by the majority. The house republicans have let an extremist minority hold the country hostage for too long.
Jack, it is pretty clear that the GOP has a major problem with its stance on social issues. They call themselves the party of small government, champions of the government staying out of your business. However, they are really only interested in staying out of rich, white men's wallets while they are more than happy to invade on the rights of women, gays/lesbians, and other groups to make decisions for themselves. If the GOP is too scared of endorsing principles not concordant with their religious conservative base, then the least they could do is stay out the conversation and plainly say that these are states' rights issues, and therefore should be decided by individual communities.
They should recognize that minorities won't necessarily sign up with the Democrats just because they are minorities. All those New Deal Democrats in the South who voted for FDR are Republicans now, partly because they got more affluent. I imagine the Republicans will figure this out before the Democrats do.
Simply face the fact that ideals are not, and should not be, cast in stone. New information, new Truths often necessitate a change of mind and heart. Some of the greatest minds in the world once thought that the earth was at the center of the universe. Some of our greatest leaders once owned slaves and thought it was just fine. Leave absolutism to religion.
At the very least admit that it is 2012 not 1912. WAKEUP!
I personally want them to fade into the darkness from whence they came.
I want them all and their toxic corporate sugar daddies to take a dive into the deep.
Our overfishing of the higher life-forms (predators of the primitive life-forms) all the while dumping all our toxic garbage into it – is causing an imbalance that the scientists say "is pushing the oceans back to the dawn of evolution, a half-billion years ago to when the oceans were ruled by jellyfish, algae and bacteria The primitive life-forms are better able to handle our garbage and are thriving on it, and taking over. fyi The time period when these jellyfish, bacteria and algae were dominant, didn't have conditions that could sustain human life.
I don't want the gop to be relevant. :o)
1. Stop obstructing
2. Stop lying to the American People
3. Stop using the term real Americans.
4. Show up and do your job
5. Stop signing pledges to Grover Norquist
6. Stop spreading hate and fear
7.
The first thing to do is to recognize that their constituents are not just white men. The second thing is to stop trying to legislate "moral" values and recognize that women have the right to decide whether or not to abort a pregnancy for any reason and that gay couples have the right to enjoy the same benefits as do all couples by getting married if they wish. Most citizens will no longer tolerate politicians trying to tell them what to do in these areas, and the sooner the Republicans realize this, then the sooner they may become relevant once again. It is a new day out there!
Jack,
Easy. I've been saying it for years. Jettison the religious right. I used to be a Republican, but I haven't voted Republican nationally since George Herbert Walker Bush in '88. Why? Women's issues. I'm pro-choice. I don't want to see Roe v. Wade overturned. As a student nurse in the early 60's in Missouri, I saw what it was like. A woman who wanted her tubes tied had to be at least 25 years old, have at least four children, and the permission of her husband and two physicians. Republicans would turn back the clock, if they could. That's a big reason I voted for Obama in '08 and '12. That and Republican obstructionism and their kowtowing to the very wealthy.
The Republican Party is going to have to make drastic and radical changes since it doesn't adequately represent the sections of the population that have the most potential for growth and long term political staying power: the young, Asians, Blacks, and Hispanics. Dumbly they have screamed and shouted from on high about government interfering in the affairs of people while with their other hand they handle Wall Street/big business (remember, those guys that nearly sank our economy) with kid gloves, taking advantage of the less educated and religious and treating the rising demographics like we're even bigger idiots. They even have let religion violate a basic tenet that preachers make poor politicians for the sake of getting people in voting booths in the South. This country is in desperate need of infrastructure upgrades, tax code reform, further healthcare reform, and environmental reform: that which requires civic engagement and public works projects. So what will it take to reform the Republican Party? -A miracle we can only pray for.
The GOP needs to not let religion dominate their ideology. Their addiction to their white-male dominated view of Jesus' message (abortion, gay marriage) is not bringing unity (which is one of Jesus' messages). Progressive and conservative ideologies are a battle between how societies and individuals interact – societies owe individuals rights and freedoms and individuals owe societies courtesy similar to being a good neighbor. Unfortunately, the GOP has taken the rights of individuals to mean people should get away with whatever they want if it makes them more wealthy than the rest and if they are more wealthy then they actually deserve to be less courteous to their neighbors – they actually see this courtesy as an infringement on their liberty rather than how our society must function with individuals.
There is a widely used Republican tactic that Carl Rove fostered during the Bush administration: It doesn't matter if what you say is a lie or incorrect. Repeat it 100 times, 1000 times, and at least 40% of people will believe it has merit. If the Republicans can start acknowledging some of the falsehoods (or in some cases outright lies) they have been continually spewing just for the sake of consistency on their record, then maybe they can climb back into the heart of the middle class.
Having said that, I can't believe that 50 million people still voted for Romney. Where ARE all of these people?
Louis, in Concord, NH.
Republicans will have to stop distorting the truth using mental contortions if they want to win the minds of a majority of voters. But then how can they do otherwise if they especially prefer what the dwindling white population wants?
The Republicans, men especially, have to stop feeling superior to everyone else. The country does not belong to just them anymore and they need to play nice and share. The GOP is thought of as the Gentlemen Only Party and exists to goven those others not capable of governing and to be sure that the concerns of the wealthy are looked after. As a Republican woman for many many years I've become ashamed of it and will registered as Independent. I have found it impossible to vote for a Republican candidate for President for over 20 years.
What does the Republican Party have to do to become more relevant?
Set an agenda that includes all the people not just the 1%.
Become part of the solution instead of being the problem.
Thom Richer
Negaunee, MI
1 Be rational and reasonable. 2 Stop letting the wingnuts rule the party. 3 Work for the greater good of the nation instead of just thier big dollar donors. 4 Tone down the rhetoric. 5 It doen't matter, they won't do it. But, another election in the wilderness may do the trick.
During the 2008 and 2012 campaigns, President Obama at times sounded more like Reagan than many Republican candidates did. Boldly and consistently fight for conservative principles, Republicans, and electoral victory will be yours.
Republicans need to stop catering to the Bigot Belt, and start focusing on the country as a greater whole. For a party that preaches "less government", the GOP is far too concerned with mandating their conservative social agenda on the rest of us – those who have accepted Evolution as fact by now.
I'm a former Republican who still appreciates basic republican values like the free enterprise system and fiscal conservatism. But politicians have no place mixing religion with politics, making decisions about what I can do with my body or making decisions about who I love. Republicans need to get out of social and religious issues and concentrate on the running the greatest economy on earth which is where they excell. I would have voted for Colin Powell if he had run. I think he has the right balance
For starters they can tell the American Taliban, aka: the Righteous Right, to sit down and shut up along with all the Ditto Heads and the Fox hate mongers. Then they might have a chance ot surviving. The party has been increasingly hijacked by kooks, clowns and hypocrites. Last year's Presidential contenders were embarassing.
Unfortunately, Republicans do not fully believe in equality for blacks, hispanics, asians, indians, women, gays, or non-Christians. Perhaps this is why Republicans keep making references to "our" founding fathers. Uh, those guys didn't have the aforementioned folks in mind, at least not in terms of equality. The U.S. was a white man's country then, and Republicans want it to be a white man's country today. They are not sincerely interested in a diverse and equal-for-all America.
No need to drop religious beliefs... but putting them on central stage is an obvious political ploy... and most voters (who are NOT fundamentalists) don't like the sanctimonious theatrical displays of religion that make televangelists rich. Nearly all voters will support you if your private religious beliefs guide your motives. Aligning yourselves , as you have, with Fundamentalist hat-spewing cults like Westboro Baptist and Jeffress in Texass was a STOOOPID move. Normal people don't want those fools dictating that science books should include their religious views, or peeking into everyones bedroom... The republicans (and I could be one again) deserved to lose so spectacularly.
Romney, Papa John and all of those other Republican job creators can put America first and start job creating, start hiring new workers. No more whining about higher costs of health care, no more miniscule wages and benefits.The public will be ecstatic with them.
stay away from the far right lunes.
Notes to both parties:
1. Make voting a double-entry system, accountable, with a printed copy back to the voter before they leave the booth. And secure the electronic voting system—it should be more secure than any banking system. Clean up the absentee and early voting systems - all votes should be counted; no leeway for votes to get delivered "too late" or "lost".
2. Push state legislatures to proportion their electoral votes–the all or nothing system makes huge portions of our country and populations largely irrelevant. And I want my vote to COUNT.
3. Listen to ALL your constituents–republican, democrat and everything else–and even the ones who don't send you money. I've read both parties "questionnaires" soliciting funds, and the parties aren't asking us what we think—their “questionnaires” are telling us WHAT to think. The only appropriate response is a loud and hearty “SCREW YOU”.
4. People who run the parties seem to think it's all about “POWER”, it ain't. It's about solving problems—that's what you're hired for, and both parties track record is 'piss poor'. Given my druthers, I'd fire them both. My recommendation is to vote out all incumbents every election; gives them less time screw us over.
5. I've come to the conclusion that a divided congress/senate/presidency is the best possible outcome because their squabbling means that there's that much less they can do to me. I've given up expecting solutions; I'll settle for covering my ass.
6. Somebody tell those learned fools on the supreme court to reread American History and the Constitution. Corporations are NOT PEOPLE. They can't vote, and shouldn't be allowed to buy elections. No corporate money should ever find its way into any campaign funding mechanism. You can't arrest a corporation and throw it in jail. Apparently, you can't even jail CEO's and executives who screw over customers and non-customers alike. Start holding CEOs and board members legally and financially responsible for the outcomes of their actions–you take the job, you bite the bullet. FYI, no CEO, executive, or board member is worth more than 35 times the lowest employee's wages. Employee's wages should go up before theirs do.
7. What was the average cost per vote for this election? Twenty plus years ago, it was around $40 per voter. How much are we selling out for these days?
Dump the TEA party. As long as those wackos are running the party I will never vote Republican.
The GOP are and have been for some time overrun by every religious society, organization and club that the inventive mind can think of. Demographics change, life goes forward not backwards. The GOP needs to bite the bullet and get on with accepting these changes.
Eliminate the influence of the Tee (hee) party and the religious goof balls, i.e., especially those that think the bible contains "the answers" to various of our difficult social issues and those that believe that God tells, or has called, them to do this, that, or the other.
I have news for you Jack. In my very red part of a very red state, most of the reasonable Republicans either held their noses and voted for Obama or didn't vote. The reason for this is that most of them are tired of a few lunatics who seem to have become the mouthpiece of this new version of the Republican Party (starting with Mr. McCain's choice of a running mate).
Turn the Tea Party lose, embrace Libertarianism, and require pot smoking at all meetings.
The GOP must do one simple thing to stay relevant. They must abandon the anti-abortion and anti-gay rights stances which are at the core of their social platform. I know that the GOP calls these two things pro-life and pro-traditional marriage, but to the general public they are seen as an ‘anti’ position, not a ‘pro’. I know these two ideologies will never be abandoned by many Americans, nor should they be. It is our right as Americans to have and to voice our opinions about any and everything. However, when those opinions go against popular opinion, you must ask yourself if they are relevant to the political conversation. Eighty years ago politicians could, and did, run on pro-segregation platforms, and some of them were elected to office. So, why is segregation not a political stance that is held by today’s politicians? It isn’t because those pro-segregation politicians changed their opinion on race and segregation. It was because they just stopped getting elected to office. The majority of Americans are fiscally conservative and socially liberal, drop the social conservatism and the GOP would hold the Presidency, Senate, and House…Just a thought
There's nothing they can do. Republicans think their party officials are righteous gods and can never do wrong.
Eliminate the influence of the Tee (hee) party and the religious goof balls, i.e., especially those that think the bible contains "the answers" to various of our difficult social issues and those that believe that God tells, or has called, them to do this, that, or the other. Also, guit repeating as though gospel all the insane and inane thoughts generated by Republican morons without investigating their validity.
They have to stop wasting time and destroying peoples lives with their ever changing policies for the worst. While they play we are getting older and they are the only one enjoying the fruits of this earth,
As a Democrat I wouldn't tell them if I knew! The longer they flounder the better for my side!
First, begin to realize that there are more voters out there than just white men..... Second, stop trying to legislate "moral" values. When a political party tells women that they will not be allowed by law to abort a pregnancy, then fewer and fewer women will not be voting for that party. When a gay person is told by the same party that they will not be allowed by law to enjoy the benefits of marriage, then most gay people will be voting for the alternative. The Republican Party needs to get out of the personal lives of our citizens. Until it does, this party will become more and more irrelevant. Its a new day out there!