The GOP's "Modern Family" Problem

RealClearPolitics ^ | November 19, 2012 | Reed Galen

[babble-on]

(full article at link)

The Generation X and Millennial cohorts are well known for our supposedly singular worldview: individualistic, self-reliant, and we want things (on our own terms) both personally and professionally. Wait, that sounds suspiciously like the ethos of a major political party.

Most of these voters agree with Republicans on economic, fiscal and tax issues, at least insofar as we object to the routine generational theft inflicted on us by the baby boomers who now run Washington. However, they’re quite apart from the GOP on almost everything else. It’s not that there aren’t plenty of voters under 45 who see the world through a socially conservative lens. It’s just that they don’t consider those issues paramount when looking at the country’s problems.

[babble-on]

I agree with quite a bit of this, not all, but I think it's worth at least sitting with this point of view for a few minutes.

[PetroniusMaximus]

“Republicans can’t be the party of smaller government, individual self-determination and self-reliance and also hold impenetrable positions on social issues ranging from abortion and gay marriage to assisted suicide and capital punishment.”

Conservatives seek to CONSERVE the wise and beneficial ideas and practices of the past, including ... small government, RIGHT TO LIFE, TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE ETC.

Author is an idiot.

[altsehastiin]

I think that’s largely correct. The Akin’s and Mourdock’s of the party are poison.

That said, I am a little tired of seeing post-mortem pieces focusing on which tribe of voters the GOP should be targeting. I would rather see articles focusing on whether the GOP’s policies are good.

[Nowhere Man]

We do need to get back to the party of Barry Goldwater, minus Planned Parenthood of course. Yes, we need to address social issues too but for the most part in a Federal Election, many of these matters are best left to the States or locals to decide. Basically what we are faced with where in my mind, I'm more worried about jobs, having a roof over my head, keeping my car running, taking care of Mom and the cats and not having an Iranian missile ruin my day. I admit I lean libertarian, having a bit of a South Park Republican in me although personally, I am social conservative.

Akin, he did make a bum statement about "legitimate rape" although I saw it in a different light where it was term for when the line was crossed from attempted rape to rape. I most likely have Aspergers so I do see and think things a bit differently.

We need less Barry Obama and more Barry Goldwater. For the record, I'm 46. I don't see myself an X'er but more of a "Generation Jones" where we share common things with the Baby Boomers and X'ers.

[longtermmemmory]

as if endorsing homosexual conduct/molestation/deviancy/fetishes will MAGICICALLY create the victory dust to winning elections.

[DTogo]

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, without making someone else accept it, agree with it, or pay for it.

[throwback]

Romney's campaign was essentially the moral agnostic/pocket book only campaign that many claimed was necessary to win. Anybody else running that was clearly tagged with a moral issue such as Aiken or Murdoch was quickly thrown under the bus by the campaign at the first whiff of a moral issue in the air. So now the demand is that the Republicans can't just remain silent on moral issues, they must get their minds right too. That's fine. I'll go down with my beliefs. I think homosexuality is a sin, and abortion is killing of the unborn. Just because the majority disagrees with me, doesn't make them right, and the PC brainwashing done by hollywood will never change my mind.

[SierraWasp]

What's up Reed? You want another immoral, Godless Democrat Party to compete with the ridiculous one we already have?

Go back and look at the platform Teddy Roosevelt's Bull Moose party had and find the PBS program where they showed "Onward Christian Soldiers" being sung at his new party's CONvention!

Teddy, like his cousin who never got put up on Mt. Rushmore, had as little regard for the constitution's limiting power as the current Barack-O-Claus occupying the Oval Office!!!

The POTUS is not just a fiscal leader. He/she is also a moral and ethical leader helping the makers while not ignoring the helpless takers!!!

[ScottinVA]

I would rather see articles focusing on whether the GOP’s policies are good

Unfortunatly, any hopes of a future Presidential victory (which are imperceptible at present) indeed rest on which tribe of voters they should be targeting. In this era of group-identity, "gimme" politics, there's no sense of national cohesion anymore.

Gubernatorial victories might be the more realistic goal for the GOP.

[ScottinVA]

Unfortunatly=Unfortunately

[jetson]

HBO has put out a great documentary on the Rolling Stones called Crossfire/Hurricane. It really does take you back in time to the sixties. I think allot can be taken from this documentary. The Stones shot to fame at an extraordinary rate gripping the attention of the yutes around the world. Everywhere they went kids went crazy to the point of peeing in their pants at Stones concerts. The Stones were all educated lads and very talented music wise and performing. One reporter asked Mic Jagger why he thought this phenomena of fame came so quickly. Mic said “ Well the youth of today have the want to re-bell against their parents and authority. The youth also relate to moron-ism ( his own word)." I think the sixties children never gave up rebelling and they passed the relating to morons to their children. BOzo is the moron and the GOP are the parent authority figure.

[PapaBear3625]

as if endorsing homosexual conduct/molestation/deviancy/fetishes will MAGICICALLY create the victory dust to winning elections.

Nobody's talking about endorsing it, just not making it the central foundation of the campaign. And, as Akin found out, if you answer a question about it, then the MSM will MAKE it the central focus of your candidacy. Politicians need to be drilled on how to respond to "gotcha" questions. Newt would be a good coach.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Is this the same Reed Galen who was a local reporter on KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh in the late 1970’s?

[Mr. Know It All]

Is this the same Reed Galen who was a local reporter on KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh in the late 1970’s?

He says in the article he's under 45. Since you obviously can't read, do you need me to do the math for you, too?

[irishjuggler]

The drumbeat continues for the GOP to sell out its base of social conservatives. It's B.S., and I'm shocked at how many here at FR buy into this nonsense that there are countless fiscally conservative voters who vote for Democrats but would gladly switch to a pro-abortion, pro-homosexual GOP. Like hell. I'm sorry, but it's a fantasy. A pro-abortion, pro-homosexual GOP would do even worse, as the few votes it gained would greatly be outnumbered by the massive losses created by dispiriting the base.

Mitt and Rush and all others are right... the fundamental problem right now is the huge (and growing) portion of the electorate that pays little or nothing in the way of taxes but wants Santa Claus... food stamps, Section 8 housing, student-loan forgiveness, mortgage forgiveness, free this, free that.

[ansel12]

Social liberalism and societal collapse, breeds big government democrat voters, not conservative voters.

[Bigg Red]

We have gay and lesbian friends and relatives, and the concept of disliking or disapproving of them simply for that reason is not just stupid, it feels unconscionable.

&&&
Uh-huh, the Left has done an excellent propaganda job on the under-45 crowd.

[x]

Reed Galen was a deputy campaign manager McCain fired in 2007 -- or maybe he resigned, anyway it's this guy.

Rich Galen was a spokesman for Dan Quayle and Newt Gingrich. He has a son named Reed, but I don't know if it's the same guy.

If he is, I guess they are the GOP elite everybody's talking about.

I'm wondering why they picked such a lousy TV show for the new paradigm.

[boop]

Yes "Modern Family" IS popular with conservatives and liberals. Why? Because the show is funny and well written. The gay characters are likeable and self-deprecating, but to be honest Cam is a walking stereotype of an over the top drama queen.

However, I wouldn't read into that that young conservatives should necessarily go full-on pro-gay.

"The New Normal" is case in point. Ridiculous, frankly repulsive characters, with Ellen Barkin as a hideous caricature of a "typical" bigoted conservative. Last I checked it wasn't doing too well in the ratings.

[Reddy]

Bfl