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GOP Issues Scathing Self-Analysis
The Wall Street Journal ^ | 3/18/2013 | Neil King, Jr.

Posted on 03/18/2013 11:56:55 AM PDT by darrellmaurina

The national Republican Party released a scathing self-analysis Monday that party leaders hope will be the first step toward returning the GOP to a winning track after its election losses of November.

The report, issued by a Republican National Committee task force, minces no words.

"Public perception of the party is at record lows," the report says. "Young voters are increasingly rolling their eyes at what the party represents, and many minorities wrongly think that Republicans do not like them or want them in the country. When someone rolls their eyes at us, they are not likely to open their ears to us."

In page after page, the report—compiled over the past several months by five veteran GOP campaign operatives—describes the party as ideologically ossified, unable to speak to a wider electorate and increasingly seen as representing the rich and the old.

In focus groups, voters who said they had left the Republican Party described the GOP as "scary," "narrow minded," "out of touch," and as the party of "stuffy, old men."

Unless something changes, the report says, "it will be increasingly difficult for Republicans to win another presidential election in the near future."

(SNIP)

The report comes at a moment when Republicans aligned with the tea party and insurgent candidates are arguing that conservatives should reject the guidance of party insiders and consultants, urging that they look instead to the GOP's conservative grass roots for renewal.

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Front Page News; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: amnesty; rinos4amnesty; rnc4amnesty
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This is a **SERIOUSLY** bad report. It appears to take direct aim against conservatives in the Republican Party, and if my read is correct, its conclusions need to be fought against as hard as possible.
1 posted on 03/18/2013 11:56:55 AM PDT by darrellmaurina
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To: darrellmaurina
"Scathing" = "we're going to keep doing the same things that got us here, but leverage social media better".

The wolves have just written the recommendations for the security of the sheep pasture.

2 posted on 03/18/2013 12:00:27 PM PDT by kevkrom (If a wise man has an argument with a foolish man, the fool only rages or laughs...)
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To: darrellmaurina

This is exactly why this “stuffy” old man is no longer a Republican. And neither are my checkbook and credit cards.


3 posted on 03/18/2013 12:03:00 PM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (Whatever happened to the land of the free, home of the brave?)
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To: darrellmaurina
"voters who said they had left the Republican Party"

We'll lose the RINOs. Fine.

What did the people ATTRACTED to the party say? Why didn't the report focus on them? Because the writers of the report wanted a foregone conclusion of More Liberalism?

4 posted on 03/18/2013 12:03:32 PM PDT by Uncle Miltie (Due Process 2013: "Burn the M*****-F***er Down!")
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To: darrellmaurina
"Young voters are increasingly rolling their eyes at what the party represents,
“Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe” featuring Jay Z
“Sitting next to Hillary smelling like dank”
“Obama on speed dial”
5 posted on 03/18/2013 12:03:51 PM PDT by Berlin_Freeper (Can there be nothing Great and Good in this world?)
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To: Antoninus; Diamond; wagglebee; little jeremiah; AmericanInTokyo; Lazlo in PA; Dr. Brian Kopp; ...
Note this reference which is an obvious attack against Mourdock in Indiana and Akin in my state of Missouri: “He also chastised GOP candidates last year who undermined the party's cause with remarks on abortion and rape, saying that many members of the party said “some biologically stupid things” during the campaign.”

I can't speak regarding Mourdock because I don't know the details. With regard to Akin, it's hard to argue that Akin was wrong when he almost immediately apologized for his own comments — but that's not the same as saying that Akin’s views on abortion were wrong. Saying dumb things is not the same as being wrong on the underlying issue of defending babies’ lives.

6 posted on 03/18/2013 12:04:02 PM PDT by darrellmaurina
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To: darrellmaurina

So do we want to become more Republican?
I think not!
It is time for a new party. The Grand Old Party is just that. OLD
If they believe that they can compete with the party of free stuff, that means they will have to become a party of more free stuff.
I won’t be able to afford it.


7 posted on 03/18/2013 12:05:08 PM PDT by lucky american (The Democrats will follow the big "D"even if it means going over a cliff.)
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To: FlingWingFlyer

I’m another stuffy old man who has registered Independent.


8 posted on 03/18/2013 12:08:11 PM PDT by Luke21
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To: darrellmaurina
The writing is on the wall.

Maybe its just as well - the GOPe has a deathgrip on the party and will not let it go. Might as well accept that and see what other options develop.

9 posted on 03/18/2013 12:09:12 PM PDT by skeeter
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To: darrellmaurina

My problem with the GOP is that you don’t attack your own team, unless you’re damn sure you have a replacement that can win...otherwise you stick with them, and go to war with the army you have.


10 posted on 03/18/2013 12:09:36 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: darrellmaurina

The Vichy Poop GOPe blames conservatives for their problems

any surprise?


11 posted on 03/18/2013 12:11:53 PM PDT by GeronL (http://asspos.blogspot.com)
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To: skeeter

Consultants have taken over the party....They care about themselves, and not for the party.

Politicians need to ditch the consultants. Reliance on consultants suggests laziness, and lack of political savvy.


12 posted on 03/18/2013 12:12:10 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: Luke21

I never signed on to the new Whig Party anyway. See ya’ later Tokyo Rove.


13 posted on 03/18/2013 12:13:25 PM PDT by iopscusa (El Vaquero. (SC Lowcountry Cowboy))
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To: darrellmaurina

Yes....I guess they think that Sarah Palin is an old man.


14 posted on 03/18/2013 12:18:50 PM PDT by kabumpo (Kabumpo)
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To: Uncle Miltie

Aesop for Children (1919)

85. THE GOATHERD AND THE WILD GOATS

One cold stormy day a Goatherd drove his Goats for shelter into a cave, where a number of Wild Goats had also found their way. The Shepherd wanted to make the Wild Goats part of his flock; so he fed them well. But to his own flock, he gave only just enough food to keep them alive. When the weather cleared, and the Shepherd led the Goats out to feed, the Wild Goats scampered off to the hills.

“Is that the thanks I get for feeding you and treating you so well?” complained the Shepherd.

“Do not expect us to join your flock,” replied one of the Wild Goats. “We know how you would treat us later on, if some strangers should come as we did.”


15 posted on 03/18/2013 12:18:52 PM PDT by jimbo123
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To: dfwgator
Unfortunately most GOP politicians are more lost without them.

The beltway is a very insular place. A few years inside it and congressmen end up getting their information from just two sources - consultants and the MSM.

Changing the culture within the GOP for the better will take a complete paradigm shift in thinking by its politicians. They will need to get back home and into alternative media ALOT more often.

16 posted on 03/18/2013 12:26:24 PM PDT by skeeter
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To: darrellmaurina

The actual report:
http://growthopp.gop.com/RNC_Growth_Opportunity_Book_2013.pdf

The authors:
Henry Barbour
Sally Bradshaw
Ari Fleischer
Zori Fonalledas
Glenn McCall

Mostly they just talked to consultants, pollsters: political insiders.

Will try to read the whole thing...


17 posted on 03/18/2013 12:27:28 PM PDT by mrsmith (Dumb sluts: Lifeblood of the Media, Backbone of the Democrat Party!)
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To: darrellmaurina

I have to disagree. It’s time to leave the GOP. The Elites tell us over and over it’s our fault they can’t get elected so lets see how they do when most of the base simply walks away from the progressive wing of the Republican Party.


18 posted on 03/18/2013 12:29:48 PM PDT by SCHROLL
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To: darrellmaurina

No GOP for me any more....evah!

Should a real conservative run under the GOP banner, I’ll vote...else...not.

Sorry, but our only hope is another party...or another civil war.

Take your pick.


19 posted on 03/18/2013 12:32:43 PM PDT by Da Coyote
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To: darrellmaurina

Stay the course of conservative principles and the masses shall return. True conservatism is not based on relativism but on it’s core values. Relativism’s inevitable collapse is coming sooner than we think.


20 posted on 03/18/2013 12:36:44 PM PDT by Cyman
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