The GOP should stand for “opportunity conservatism”
First you win the argument, then you win the vote, Margaret Thatcher famously admonished. Republicans did neither.
Nothing better illustrates that failure than “47 percent.” Not the comment itself nor the good and decent person who uttered it, but, rather, the overall narrative of Republicans. Voters were convinced that the GOP is the party of “the rich” and that Democrats are the party of everybody else.
That characterization is false, but as long as a majority of Americans believe that Republican policies do not benefit them, Republicans will continue to lose.
And far too many Republicans believe it as well.
So let me suggest an alternative course: opportunity conservatism. Republicans should conceptualize and articulate every domestic policy with a single-minded focus on easing the ascent up the economic ladder.
Blowback
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First the Republicans have to actually articulate and seriously attempt to implement policies different from the Democrats. The current strategy of “We agree with the Democrats but just want to increase spending and taxes by slightly less” is going to cause the party to disintegrate as it fails to deliver anything to its core voters.
Doomberg on January 4, 2013 at 9:56 AM
Just so long as they don’t promise to lift everyone. There are those who are beyond help.
OldEnglish on January 4, 2013 at 9:58 AM
Protecting big banks, open borders, Hollywood, the recording industry, and affirmative action all do not benefit me or help me ascend up any ladder.
Allowing liberals to dominate the mass media, universities, public schools, etc. also does benefit me or the country. The GOP needs to get serious about fighting the Big Fight and stop trying to dress up failure in new rhetoric.
Punchenko on January 4, 2013 at 10:00 AM
It’s very simple: Frame every debate in terms of the Rule of Law. If it doesn’t appear to follow the rule of law, oppose it.
nobar on January 4, 2013 at 10:01 AM
Not happy with this. He should be focusing on federalism, individual liberty and fiscal responsibility.
MoreLiberty on January 4, 2013 at 10:01 AM
If we are unable to articulate how this stuff benefits people, they aren’t going to listen to it. At least part of the Democrats’ success is based on their ability to convince the voters they’re giving them something worthwhile with their programs.
Doomberg on January 4, 2013 at 10:07 AM
I like it now sell it.
gophergirl on January 4, 2013 at 10:09 AM
Honestly, this is precisely the vision I have had for conservatism for a while, particularly when appealing to minority voters and poor voters. Glad to see someone articulate it so well. As an added bonus, it doesn’t make us compromise any of our values.
vegconservative on January 4, 2013 at 10:12 AM
These congress-critters are all warm and fuzzy and ready to take on the world when they start out. It’s soooo cute.
Give him 6 months and he’ll be in lockstep with the rest of the ruling class.
gatorboy on January 4, 2013 at 10:15 AM
Great idea! And maybe we could adopt just a few progressive policies that bring opportunity too like mortgage relief, unemployment extension for those in school and of course a path toward citizenship. But, I’m not sure if “opportunity” conservatism properly connects with voters. We need something that separates us from our cold hearted past, demonstrates our “compassion”, and… wait!
elfman on January 4, 2013 at 10:17 AM
The highest law in the United States is the Constitution. If Republicans were going to set “rule of law” as the bar, then they would have to come out for the elimination of everything from the Department of Education to Social Security, since it’s all 100% unconstitutional. I’d love to see them do that, but I doubt it’s a winning platform.
That said, it’s time for everyone just to accept that the Republican Party is not a party of conservatism and has not been for quite a long time. Very few elected officials in the party care one whit about conservative principles. And the few that do have no ability to do anything about it.
At the same time, third parties are simply not viable in the United States. Never have been and probably never will be.
As to what the answer is, I haven’t the foggiest idea…
Shump on January 4, 2013 at 10:32 AM
Ted is exactly right, as far as he goes. This is politics, not policy, and nothing he said conflicts with federalism.
Ted Cruz is the man.
Expect a concerted attack from the left with a strong echo from Paulians.
applebutter on January 4, 2013 at 10:42 AM
Republicans should stand for something. Some principle. Some policy. Get out there and advocate it and its benefits, and argue against the failed statist alternatives of the Democrats. But, it won’t happen. Hard to win an argument when you don’t stand for anything. Look at Romney.
besser tot als rot on January 4, 2013 at 10:50 AM
I’d love to see that happen too, but the GOP can’t even win basic arguments about the benefits of the free market over statism. And generally don’t even try (see Romney). We need baby steps to get there (start winning those arguments) and then, hopefully with that practice, they can make the case for the elmination of DoE, SS, etc.
besser tot als rot on January 4, 2013 at 10:53 AM
‘oppurtunity conservatism’? Lol. We had the ‘compassionate’ type and then tried the ‘severely’ type. Not a good marker. Is it too difficult to be plain old conservative?
tommy71 on January 4, 2013 at 11:21 AM
I predict that if Ted Cruz and Rubio both run in the 2016 primaries, Cruz will get more votes.
Jon0815 on January 4, 2013 at 11:21 AM
From the article:
53 percent of voters believed the economy was George W. Bush’s fault.
Why did voters believe that? Obama repeated it relentlessly, and Republicans never responded.
So very true. If they were a football team they would never win. They have no defense nor offense, LOL How pitiful!!
More from the article: Under the Obama administration, the unemployment rate climbed above 10 percent among Hispanics last year and to 14 percent among African Americans. Yet Republicans never talked about this.
I hope Ted Cruz has an opportunity in the Senate. However, Reid is proposing a Filibuster Reform that will limit the R’s to 2 Amendments and then only by 2 designated members. This will shut out the R’s for the most part.
bluefox on January 4, 2013 at 12:25 PM
You may want to review the great record Ted Cruz has and his accomplishments. He is Supreme Court material, Chief Justice in my opinion.
bluefox on January 4, 2013 at 12:29 PM