Advice from a lonely college Republican
Another leg up that the left has is its claim to the moral high ground. The party of pro-choice, pro-gay has such a hold on young people because those are issues they can care about easily. Not many 20-year-olds can hold a coherent conversation about Social Security reform or double taxation, but all of them can argue passionately for gay rights.
As a member of this all-important demographic, I know that neither I nor (almost) anybody else coming of age today supports the Republican social agenda. That’s the way the country is moving—so just deal with it. Modernize and prioritize.
Though it may be painful, though it may be costly at the polls in the short run, Republicans don’t have a future unless they break up with the religious right and the gay-bashing, Bible-thumping fringe that gives the party such a bad rap with every young voter. By fighting to legally ban abortion, the party undercuts the potential to paint itself as a rebel against the governmental-control machine.
Blowback
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Sure. Abandon social values and reach out to gays, militant feminists, and stoners. That’s the way to get people excited and boost turnout when you’re having a lingering problem with a D+6 electorate, because there’s sure no way that would make Christians and men stay home. Christians and men aren’t huge parts of the current GOP base are they?
Gingotts on November 12, 2012 at 9:01 PM
I don’t understand why anybody can even pretend to claim that this is a problem with reaching out to those who don’t share all of the GOP’s traditional values. Romney won Independents by five points. The problem isn’t appealing to the centrists. The problem is with takers outnumbering the makers and the ability of the Chicago machine to maximize turnout among their own base – up to 108% in various parts of Ohio, for instance.
Gingotts on November 12, 2012 at 9:04 PM
Its time to get out of the way of the gay-marriage train. The GOP is and will lose votes on this issue — increasingly so in the future.
Revenant on November 12, 2012 at 9:06 PM
So, if I read this blurb right, we are supposed to give up our beliefs and principles in order to “have a future”?
What a compelling argument. Actually, it sounds like a form of nihilism where the only “God” is one of acceptance and getting along.
I wonder if we all get participation badges if we join.
kim roy on November 12, 2012 at 9:07 PM
Hey, remember when it wasn’t cool to fight to legally ban slavery? Yeah man. Personal values. You think it’s wrong to own slaves, then don’t own one. Quit trying to push your values on everyone else man.
HarryBackside on November 12, 2012 at 9:07 PM
We’re just not that into you.
Ted Torgerson on November 12, 2012 at 9:07 PM
…become Democrats.
sharrukin on November 12, 2012 at 9:08 PM
She is correct in that perception is reality. As a young gay republican we must not let the left claim the moral high ground on social issues. Being “pro-life” is a battle the right can win but being against gay marriage is a battle the right cannot win. A lot of gays are coming out of the closet and people associate the gay marriage issue to their son or cousin etc who happens to be gay. The republican “pro-family” message turns them off and they stay home or vote for the democrat. The right must either compromise on social issues or lose everything. What does it matter if gays can marry if the country goes to shit because the “pro family” bloc stayed home?
cjv209 on November 12, 2012 at 9:08 PM
Romney actually win a majority of whites under 30.
Spare me the anti social conservatism BS.
We lost because Romney only won 25% of Hispanics.
When Bush ran a MUCH more socially conservative campaign in 2004, he won 40%+ of Hispanics.
What we need more emphasis on social conservatism, not less.
Norwegian on November 12, 2012 at 9:11 PM
So the advice is to abandon social issues. Golly, didn’t we just have a candidate who said next-to-nothing about social issues? You know, the kind that tells the Des Moines Register he won’t enact any legislation regarding abortion, who says that Chick-fil-A voters aren’t part of his campaign, who supported Roe v Wade as governor, and was the first governor to ever implement gay marriage?
Remind me, how’d that race turn out again?
Stoic Patriot on November 12, 2012 at 9:11 PM
Definitely agree on the gay marriage. We should reach out to gay men and women the same as anyone else. I dont see how that is compromising values. In fact it’s far more government neutral than what we currently push.
Abortion focus should be on exposing and opposing the fringe liberals for supporting abortion on demand and barbaric partial birth and late term abortions. Start there and avoid the fringe types on our side.
Forget the rape and incest pontificating.
Dash on November 12, 2012 at 9:12 PM
‘
A quick summary: ” Americas young voters are too stupid to vote.”
cntrlfrk on November 12, 2012 at 9:12 PM
there are actually other young people who don’t support abortion and gay marriage, i’m one of them! the gay marriage supporters are louder than the traditional marriage supporters, so it seems like there are more of them than their actually are. (plus, most people may not know about the studies that show that children tend to do best with both a mother and father.) and most abortion supporters are people who really don’t understand what abortion is. i have seen so many of them. they just say “women’s right” and “women’s choice about her body” over and over and over again. they don’t have logical answers against pro-choicers. if they were more educated about the issue, i bet many of them would switch over to the pro-life side.
of course social conservatives and evangelicals get blamed for the loss. how DARE we have morals that we actually consider important and don’t want to push aside just to “look better” to others?
Sachiko on November 12, 2012 at 9:16 PM
Really? Why is there this presumption that everyone besides the youth vote is static?
In the short run? Are you kidding me? Dump these issues and what do the religious right have to vote on? The social safety net? Climate Change? Or do you think they will just stay home forever?
That “set” as you call them essentially put every Republican President in office during that time. How many Republican president’s does she think there would be in the last 30 years without them?
This woman suggests we can win the youth by better explaining economics while admitting ” Not many 20-year-olds can hold a coherent conversation about Social Security reform or double taxation, but all of them can argue passionately for gay rights.” I can think of a number of reasons Romney lost the election. The one reason that he did not is not his lack of effort to explain economics.
I’ll bet you don’t know any of your friends who voted for Nixon either. George Washington University is located in Washington DC. I doubt you would find a many more liberal colleges. Talk about living in a cocoon.
Rocks on November 12, 2012 at 9:16 PM
Sorry Sarah all you kids care about is gay rights, I am still not certain which rights they speak of. Enjoy your vote because you may not have a robust economy ever again and eventualy mom and dad will stop paying your bills.
mnkatie on November 12, 2012 at 9:17 PM
I’m hispanic and the left has a monopoly on most of my family and friends. Hispanics under 30 are highly swayed by social issues. They are for the most part socially liberal unlike their parents. Their parents have already been brainwashed by the left and their’s really no chance of converting them to the right. Our most likely chance is to target the youth.
cjv209 on November 12, 2012 at 9:19 PM
In 20 years unless Republicans get rid of the cancer that is social conservatism, it will be a permanent minority party that never wins the white house. Once the old white base dies off, and the people who are in their 20′s today actually start to really vote, its over.
thphilli on November 12, 2012 at 9:20 PM
Declining to redefine the institution of marriage is not gay bashing.
Ted Torgerson on November 12, 2012 at 9:23 PM
everyone just assumes this because the gay marriage supporters are louder than the traditional marriage supporters, so it seems like there are more of them than there actually are. and i already said that and i just wanted to repeat it. gay marriage supporters insult, shame, and judge traditional marriage supporters (then they claim we do the same to them) and that scares many traditional marriage supporters into silence. that doesn’t mean that traditional marriage supporters actually SHOULD be silent.
besides, where is the fight for marriage between more than two people, will the GOP take up that platform next? or the marriage between a person and an animal? no? why not? there actually are people out there who would consider those things “love” just like the love of everyone else. well, shouldn’t the GOP be “accepting” and “tolerant” so that we can win more votes like this girl says?
Sachiko on November 12, 2012 at 9:24 PM
It seems like the only people linked on HA are those who are pro gay marriage. It gives this false sense that everybody supports it. The don’t.
Blake on November 12, 2012 at 9:25 PM
America does not stand a chance if it gives up on tradition. End of story.
astonerii on November 12, 2012 at 9:28 PM
Grow up, you incredible puerile morons.
Schadenfreude on November 12, 2012 at 9:30 PM
Here’s some advice for oh so enlightened Sarah and her libertine friends.
Romans 1… Read it. Pay close attention to that last line.
pannw on November 12, 2012 at 9:30 PM
The poor girl misses the entire point. We are sadly at the stage where all things wrong are thought of as right and vice versa. Morality, integrity and virtue are now considered abnormal and hateful by a stupefied youth.
HotAirian on November 12, 2012 at 9:31 PM
In 20 years unless Republicans get rid of the cancer that is social conservatism, it will be a permanent minority party that never wins the white house. Once the old white base dies off, and the people who are in their 20′s today actually start to really vote, its over.
thphilli on November 12, 2012 at 9:20 PM
For almost 60 years, from 1932 to 1980, until it’s embrace of Social Conservatism the Republican party was the permanent minority party.Of the Republican Presidents during that era only one, Ike, could be described as conservative in any way.It’s not coincidence that everything the Republican party has done in terms of winning in Congress is something that hasn’t happened in 60, 70 or 80 years.
Rocks on November 12, 2012 at 9:31 PM
Breaking News: Young people are liberal.
In other News: You dont stay young forever.
Valkyriepundit on November 12, 2012 at 9:31 PM
Modernize and support killing the most innocent. Come on people.
CW on November 12, 2012 at 9:33 PM
Darlin, learn some math.
We need addition, not subtraction.
Someone needs to tell Poor Sarah that she’s a Democrat.
faraway on November 12, 2012 at 9:38 PM
This thing is not a R/C, but rather an Obama-dummy.
Schadenfreude on November 12, 2012 at 9:41 PM
I think Newt was talking to Poor Sarah
faraway on November 12, 2012 at 9:42 PM
That’s 50 years, not 60. Mea Culpa.
Rocks on November 12, 2012 at 9:45 PM
embrace free market principles. Simple.
nazo311 on November 12, 2012 at 9:52 PM
The idea that Romney lost because of his social conservatism is simply ludicrous.
He lost because he wasn’t socially conservative enough.
Rebar on November 12, 2012 at 10:05 PM
All we have to do is tell Sarah she will be “uncool” if she agrees and votes with the Fat Ugly Girl’s Party. Only fat ugly people who scream about ‘bortion, birf control, and Obama Phones vote Democrat, Sarah.
Unless you want every man in Manhattan — rich, handsome, and successful men — to think you’re a member of the Fat Ugly Girl’s Party, keep up the moaning and whining about ‘bortion and your hairdresser’s nuptials.
No successful man wants to marry a fat ugly girl, Sarah. Stop being a cheerleader for Team Fat Ugly Girls. Cheering for Roseanne Bar’s politics is not cool, Sarah. Cheering for old and fat cat lady feminists wearing combat boots is not cool, Sarah. No one wants to buy them an engagement ring or a fairy tale life. Do you really want to spend the rest of your life alone, Sarah?
You’re starting to sound like those fat ugly girls in High School wailing on and on about hugging trees because they can’t land a date with another human being, Sarah. I bet Sarah had to pay for a prom date.
See, that’s how you win those members within the stoopid wing of youth vote — you use mindless branding and derisive snark.
Punchenko on November 12, 2012 at 10:15 PM
Nor Fiscally.
astonerii on November 12, 2012 at 10:19 PM
But the “old white base” never “dies off.” That silly argument has been around since the “old white base” were themselves clueless young liberals back in the day. The reality is that young liberals often become “old white” Republicans once they have families to raise and taxes to pay so that newer generations of clueless young liberals can focus on the issues that Hollywood limousine liberals think are important.
cicerone on November 12, 2012 at 10:34 PM
Funny.
I’m against gay marriage, but I don’t think of myself as “Socially Conservative”.
This woman’s world is really tipped upside down if she thinks that being for gay marriage is “occupying the moral high ground”.
Funny, but kind of sad too.
Bingo. When I was in my 20′s I was in favor of things that even some on the left would scoff at today.
Dreadnought on November 12, 2012 at 10:56 PM
I would not describe Eisenhower as conservative in any way, unless you want to call gradualism in racial integration conservative. He was not really even a Republican. Kennedy governed to the right of Eisenhower economically. Eisenhower was a non-ideological president of a deeply conservative nation. Before Reagan the most recent conservative was Coolidge.
Ted Torgerson on November 12, 2012 at 11:05 PM
I wouldn’t either.
Rocks on November 12, 2012 at 11:26 PM
HAHAHAH this piece is funny
and thats about it.
blatantblue on November 12, 2012 at 11:28 PM
Being against ‘gay marriage’ =/= gay-bashing…get over it
Bible-thumpers, bad – Koran-thumpers, good…got it
Anyone care to guess which group is smaller: non-religious Right or pro-abortion, pro-gay-marriage college-age proto-Republicans?
“By fighting to legally ban abortion” – that’s just a d@mned lie, alas.
Knott Buyinit on November 12, 2012 at 11:35 PM
Yep…It will well and truly be over (if it already isn’t). The United States of America will truly cease to exist. Third world hell hole status for all you young libs. Just remember’ you asked for it. If you weren’t damning my children to the same fate you are earning for yourselves, I’d be very tempted to laugh my ass off.
For thinking themselves wise, they became fools… If ever a statement fit a group it is that one to the ‘brilliant’ college kids and their more ‘brilliant’ professors.
pannw on November 12, 2012 at 11:39 PM
The problem here is that more and more, they aren’t getting married and having families. If they do, they divorce as soon as ‘they aren’t having any fun, anymore’.
The sad thing is, the libertines think they are ‘winning’. They are winning the battle, but they will be horrified when they realize Who wins the real war. God have mercy.
pannw on November 12, 2012 at 11:47 PM
We can evade reality, but we cannot evade the consequences of evading reality.
sharrukin on November 12, 2012 at 11:51 PM
That’s some hateful, judgemental language coming from someone who purports to stand for tolerance and a more inclusive GOP.
The Democratic party is the party for hateful, judgemental, hypocritical social liberals who care more about their pet social issues much more than they care about getting the country’s fiscal and economic problems under control.
If that’s really the direction in which the youth vote and the rest of the country is permanently headed, we don’t really need an alternative to the Democratic party do we?
Bye.
RightKlik on November 13, 2012 at 1:37 AM
I seriously question how committed a person is to conservative principles if he/she aligns with the progressive movement because of the issue of gay marriage.
If you look at how gay marriage is working it’s way through the states, then the issue should bare no weight when it comes to party affiliation. In states where gay marriage is legal, it happened through ballot initiatives. No one was voting for a person with an “R” or a “D” next to their name. If you support the majority of the conservative platform, and support gay marriage, vote for the conservative and vote “Yes” to the ballot initiative.
As far as abortion is concerned, unless someone can explain to me the difference between a baby one week before it’s born versus a baby one week after it’s born, then I can’t see how anyone can make the argument that late term abortion is not murder. A person may not agree with the pro-life position when it comes to first term abortion, but are you really going to align yourself with the party that thinks it’s OK to toss a baby that has survived an abortion attempt in the corner to die? To argue that abortion is an issue of reproductive rights is like arguing that slavery was a property rights issue.
And let’s face, the biggest social issue has nothing to do with gay marriage or abortion. The most important social issue is economic freedom. Without economic freedom, the poor are destined to always be poor and slaves to the welfare state. There is nothing more evil than denying an individual the fruits of his/her labor, or the ability to provide a better life for their family. That’s the direction the left wants to take this country. But hey, if you would rather align your self with them because of gay marriage and abortion, go right ahead.
HarryBackside on November 13, 2012 at 2:39 AM
We have to do all that just to get 5% to change their minds?
Dollayo on November 13, 2012 at 4:20 AM
Funny how when these young social liberals talk about the importance of the social agenda, they always bring up gay rights and abortion. You ever hear them talking of abolishing affirmative action quotas, getting rid of seat belt laws, ending taxpayer subsidies to PBS and NPR, protecting free speech rights from Muslims who want to take away our right to criticize Muhammed, turning back smoking bans on bar and restaurants, ending transfats bans, and lowering the drinking age to 18.
Why are these not social matters? It’s all gays and abortion 24/7.
I’d think if you’re a young person, protecting your right to listen to heavy metal music, and the right to drink a beer at 19, would be 1,000 times more important, than gay marriage.
ericdondero on November 13, 2012 at 7:16 AM
It’s because as much as they think they are for FREEDOM! they are actually just spitting out the liberal talking points almost entirely as they have been fed to them.
Real freedom is hard work. You lose most (if not all) of your safety nets and you actually have to be responsible for making decisions in your own life.
Most ‘pro-freedom’ people end up hung up when their sacred ox is gored. I have a Ron Paul-loving Libertarian friend that is also anti-vaccine and pro-organic food. No issues there until she is pissed off that the people of California didn’t pass the law requiring GMO foods to be labeled. Apparently Monsanto is evil and needs to be outlawed but if we’re not going to do that at least we can protect people from evil GMOs like all the other countries are doing. These are, of course, the same countries that she would be pissed if someone said, “We should have single payer healthcare because these other countries have it.”
JadeNYU on November 13, 2012 at 11:14 AM
Another kid that does not know how to argue a position. Curious how she got an article in the WSJ, since the entire article was non-substantive. That was simply a rant by this individual who has not lived and learned.
John Kettlewell on November 13, 2012 at 8:21 PM