Posted on 11/08/2006 6:15:22 AM PST by Anitius Severinus Boethius
Well, we had a bad night no doubt about it. But what can we take away from it? Some clear lessons for sure. First, we have some lessons for all Freepers. Second, we have some lessons for the Republican Party.
For Freepers, we have a few facts that some have been able to ignore for a while. But now, it appears that we can ignore them no longer.
1- The squishy middle controls national politics in the middle. Neither Free Republic nor Democrats Underground are the “mainstream”. “Mainstream” is the milquetoast centrists that only pay attention when the television tells them too. Turning out the “base” is important, but when both sides turn out, it is the politically ignorant that decide our fate. Conservatives alone do not have the numbers it takes to win control of Congress!
2- Political experts are that: experts. Bill Kristol, Tucker Carlson and Dick Morris are twits in my opinion, but ignore their advice at your own peril. Unlike most of us, they live and breathe politics and the nuances and undercurrents are easier for them to pick up on. Are they wrong often? Sure. But politics is a mix between art and science, and they know the science part inside and out.
3- Polls matter. They give a sense of the electorate. They are important when looking at close races and determining specifics in an election. Freepers who completely discounted them were completely shocked last night.
Now for the Republican Party, there are some lessons to learn as well. Want to take back control in two years? Listen up!
1- Stop running “every man for himself” campaigns. Run as a party. Run as a team. Have team goals and team aspirations. Failure to do so results in disaster for members not as well known or in tough individual fights. An example of this is in Missouri. A quick assessment of District 7 shows that Roy Blunt received 14, 357 more votes than Jim Talent. Talent lost by less than 45,000 votes and it is inexcusable that a full third of the votes he needed were dropped in the most conservative district of the State. Live together, die alone.
2- Doing nothing is earning nothing. Not causing harm is not a policy of success. Use local issues and make them national issues. Immigration, tax cuts, national defense, and social issues are all winners when used boldly. Use them!
3- We are against cloning and there is only one George W. Bush. We need to identify and promote more faces of the party. Younger faces. President Bush is 60, Rudy Guiliani is 62, John McCain is 70. Where are the up and coming Republicans? Find them, promote them, and use them.
I like your attitude, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
BINGO!!! I've been saying this for a while but it doesn't seem to sink in. We also don't have the numbers to win the presidency alone. If we do not get the middle on to our side we won't win in 2008 either. They make their decisions on Election night. They don't care about politics all year. We live in our own world here - we seem to forget that most people don't care about politics until they have to vote.
Yesterday, half of America decided that our troops fighting terrorism can go to hell. It's going to be more important now for our half to support the troops even more.
I think the GOP should just declare war on the media and boycott the networks and liberal publications. They need to be officially labelled for what they are and find a way to get facts to the public. Start their own network, whatever, but it can't go on like this. This is blatant manipulation by the media and Demonrats. And Duncan Hunter has to be the nominee because he will confront the Demonrats and media. You can not cave anymore on principles. The liberal agenda is wrong and ignorance is a large part of what leads Demonrats to win elections.
Well said.
I am proud that the morning after here is not filled with suicidal threats, conspiracy wackos, Fraud allegations, alien abductions, etc.
Guilty.
Great post. Thanks.
god bless America!
god bless America!
We governed with no authority, no purpose, or focus. We are going to be rolling around in the political gutter for a few years as a result.
Its time for the young bloods to quickly position themselves for the future in our party.
Agreed.
I wouldn't put it past the Demonratic party to have committed voter fraud. In fact, I'd bet it was a sure thing that they picked up a good amount of votes through their fraud machine.
"Stop running “every man for himself” campaigns. Run as a party. Run as a team. Have team goals and team aspirations. Failure to do so results in disaster for members not as well known or in tough individual fights."
I am reminded of the Contract with America. It demonstrated both ideals and focus - somehting that the Party needs for long-term victory. We, as members, can inform the party on what is important. The result of this election, for me, is to become more active in the party and go beyond doing the minimum - voting and donating cash. Conservatism started decades ago as a grass roots movement and a revival can best come from such grass roots efforts.
One thing I regret is not seeing the meltdown on DU...
My kinda attitude! Take a deep breath, rally the team, make a new plan, and get back onto the field of battle.
Don't worry, the Democrats will burn their current good will.
The GOP needs to get it's head out of it's rear and start being what it claims to be.
I think there's an additional message: You had control of both Houses and you did next to nothing with it. You've lost your conservative direction and you are trying to be all things to all people. As a result, you please no one. From now on, pick a position and philosophy, grow a set, and abide by those principles you chose and have the conviction to vote that way in all matters. Too many look like Waffle Kerry in sheep's clothing.
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