The Democrats cleaned the GOP's clock with minority voters last Fall, as nearly 95% of all Blacks cast their votes for The Beige One. While this sounds amazing, it's more or less in line with the percentage (90 or so) that the typical Democratic Presidential candidate pulls. Simply put, the Dems can more or less roll out any ole' mediocre dude (ie: Dukakis) and automatically count on getting a large majority of Black votes. Many say this is unwise since it leads to an "all eggs in one basket" situation. Still, it's little surprise that the GOP didn't even make a token push for the minority vote last year. And it's little surprise that this cost them.
Not that Black Americans are alone. A new Washington Post/ABC news poll says only 21 percent of people polled identified themselves as Republicans, down from 25 percent in a late March poll and at the lowest ebb in this poll since the fall of 1983. In that same poll, 35 percent self-identified as Democrats and 38 percent called them Independents. In other words, the Black vote is the least of the GOP's problems.
I'm an unaffiliated voter, but I can't personally ever see myself voting for a Republican President. Governors? Done it. State Senators? Done it. County Execs? Not yet, but if they could pave streets better, I'd do it. But President? Sorry, just can't bring myself to make that call. Yet.
It's often said that Black folks, Hispanics (and many others) are perhaps the most Conservative people in America on social issues. From gay marriage, to abortion, to right to free speech. And like most Americans, I doubt these groups like higher taxes or wasteful spending. Strictly on GP, it would seem like the GOP's message should be good enough to pull at least 50% of the minority vote.
So what's the problem? It ain't the message, it's the messengers.
Simply put, it's a lot more palatable to vote for someone who believes in half the stuff you do and treats you with some modi of respect than it is to vote for someone who believes in half the stuff you do, yet treats you like the s of the Earth.
Here's how the GOP's messengers screw up its message.
Political Ads - When it all comes down to it, the GOP would rather lapse into "Us vs Them" style of racial politricks than try and engage voters respectfully. Why the would you vote for someone who tries to pull a fast one like this? Witness the infamous Willie Horton Ad.
D-Bag Pundits - The GOP allows talking heads to run roughshod and talk all sorts of greasy about non-whites. Nobody ever puts these fools in check, so it's not unreasonably to assume these folks "speak for the party" to some degree. Do they think Black folks can't find the EIB Radio Network?
D-Bag GOP Politicians - How come everything something racist pops up, the politician of note is almost always Republican? Fellas, get beyond Tamron Hall and watch this.
D-Bag Republican Voters - Who could forget this guy? Yes, we know people like this exist on both sides of the aisle. But the problem is, how come out of the hundreds of other folks at this rally, nobody pulled this fella aside and said "hey, that might not be a good idea"? By simply standing aside (and laughing), they do little to quell the sentiment that the GOP isn't welcoming people of color. Why would anyone in their right mind want to walk into such a rally?
In the interest of fairness, we all know that Hilary Clinton arguably ran a more racially tinged race vs Obama last Fall. And yes, the Democratic Party has its own issues. The difference is, the Dems have enough people in house (ie: Jim Clyburn) to call out such nonsense when it happens. The GOP does no such self-policing. In fact, you could argue that it more or less fans the flames by either claiming reverse racism (WTH?), or doing nothing at all.
Again, the sad thing is, everyone need two viable parties to pick and choose from. This keeps both major parties on their feet. But when one party is so outwardly hostile, and doesn't appear to give a sh*t who gets offended in the process, it makes the decision for whom to vote so much easier. And that's a shame.
Question: If the GOP changed its messengers, do you think you'd be more receptive to their message? Does the GOP even have a genuine interest in doing so, or are they perfectly content/oblivious about their imminent extinction in a continually browning America?
I agree republicans voters are turning away from republican candidates. They are increasingly staying home and not voting, or voting third party. I believe the reason is because the republicans are moving more and more to the left as time goes by.
Damn, you're right. I've seen the light!
Republicans should be JUST like Democrats. The Dems, after all, have done SO much with their utter dominance of the houses of congress since WWII to help disadvantaged minorities. They've improved their education scores, their socio-economic status en masse - their poverty, illiteracy and illegitamacy rates have gone down with all of the liberal programs designed to help them! It's worked, why can't the Rebublicans just see this? , Robert Byrd saw the light, didn't he? I mean he as a Grand ing Dragon of the KKK - but he didn't become a Republican; he's a Democrat; he changed his ways, and saw the light. It's not like with his leanings he would join a party designed to keep the minorities in their place, dutifully pulling the lever at a 95% clip for an agenda that keeps them mired in poverty and subservience! No, follow the Democrats - they'll lead to the promised land!
Keep telling yourself that. People like John McCain was a more than decent candidate, bad timing being affiliated with a bad party. I'm willing to bet you think he's a liberal.
On Hannity's radio show yesterday a black man called in and said that in order for the GOP to win over black's, they should make Rush Limbaugh their figure head because they love him.
I honestly don't know if he was being facetious or not... but Hannity actually asked him if he was being sincere before discussing it further.
Oh geeze. He's also an pre-civil rights era Democrat. Learn your history. I bet you know such things but are conveniently ignoring it.
I bet you realize just how racist most Democratic politicans are, but just conveniently ignore it.
You think the Dems. plan to keep down the minorities began AFTER LBJ?
Most laws put into effect by Democrats have been largely symbolic and not of real substance in regards to race... but let's not pretend that Republicans are some minority friendly en y though.
I think both parties have been in contempt. However one ignores it and often encourages it, the other makes note of it and how wrong it is. I'll let your own bias conclude that.
Making note of wrongs can go a long way.
I think it is wrong for policies of the United States government to encourage the destruction of the family; when those policies, in turn, result in an alarming increase in illegitimacy among a specific race, beyond others, I think we ought to make note of it, and even do something about it. If someone, however, makes note of it; they are shouted down as racist.
You're about the most cliche riddled, closed minded person who claims open-mindedness I've seen on this board in a while.
Does anyone here think the GOP won't win back congress in 2010?
They won't. Too many seats to make up.
They'll make a sizable dent, especially in the South / Midwest... but no way they make up that many seats in one go.
I'm sure they can get the D's Senate seats down a couple pegs though.
Are you talking Senate or House? And are you talking about a majority? I still think that Dems will control both House and Senate, but I'm sure they will lose some numbers.
rush limbaugh is not shouted down as racist because he opposes a welfare state. he is accused of being prejudicial because of the manner in which he states his arguments and because of his race baiting tactics.
I think they'll pick up a bunch of seats, but fall short of control; too much ground to make up, AND too many conservatives disillusioned with them and pissed off - third party candidates will temper Republican gains, IMO.
, I don't want Republicans back if it means the same tired leadership as before! Look what their control got us!!
Obama, Pelosi AND Reid!!
Republican control is the best thing that ever happened to the Democrats!
I think the policies you are questioning are debatable. But I would agree that some may encourage that. I've framed the similiar arguments and have not been called a racist. I'd try reframing yoru argument.
I am strongly against the primary actions of planned parenthood, if that's what you are getting at. I'm not at all closed minded. It's called talking about reality.
2012 is a different animal. If the economy is better, if we're out of the banking industry / auto industry, and Obama's foreign policy pans out, then the D's might win some of those back.
If the above doesn't happen, then yes, the R's might get it even or take over by 2012.
I'm hoping the Objectivist party grabs some house seats. It'll be a nice new voice of input.
I was not speaking of Rush specifically; when was the last time a politician had the balls to stand up and make a reasoned argument against the Welfare state? Republicans who vote against measures that expand it are said to be "ignoring black (or minority) issues". Just like Republicans (or Democrats) who want to build a fence, or not grant amnesty too illegal aliens are said to be against issues important to Latinos - and racist.
After reading your post I went back and listened to the entirity of the Limbaugh link above. What, exactly, does he say that is racist? The poster who posted it said that that link PROVED he was a racist. I say he simply touched on taboo subjects, but didn't say anythign "racist" - he didn't claim black people are genetically inferior, or could not succeed because of their race; he said they are being held down and sold out by the very people who are their champions. If I missed something, tell me what it is; give me the time stamp.
They will lose one of them. Not sure which one. I wouldn't be surprised if they lose both. Time will tell.
I'm not called a racist, but then again neither I, nor you, have a national spotlight in which to trumpet our message...we post on internet discussion boards; not a threat to pretty much anyone.
Fair enough. I apologize.I am strongly against the primary actions of planned parenthood, if that's what you are getting at. I'm not at all closed minded. It's called talking about reality.
JMO, but if the republicans want to get back in power any time soon their only chance is to quit ing about every little thing Obama does and focus 100% of their attention to pushing the fiscal conservative agenda. Just hammer the point over and over and over that we can't afford to be spending all this money. Now given Bush's liberal spending and your support of the bailouts you're going to have a hard time being taken seriously. Unfortunately that's the price you're going to have to pay. The message should be one of acknowledging that mistakes were made, the bailouts were necessary, but now it's time to cut spending and start acting responsibly.
Quit ing about czars, quit ing about speeches to school kids, quit fueling a bunch of hysteria. Quit doing it because all it's doing is making people think you're one new welfare bill away from drinking the Heaven's Gate cool-aid to escape the earthly shackles of muslim socialists.
Republicans also need to realize that the social side of the conservative agenda isn't getting them anywhere. If you want to be the party of small government then you've got to realize that includes keeping government out of people's social lives. That doesn't mean that you have to suddenly become pro-choice and support gay marriage. But at least recognize that advocating having the federal government legislate your beliefs onto others is going to drive people away. Your only way out is to push those issues as states rights decisions. That's consistent with a small government theme and at that level do whatever makes you happy.
Fourth point, never utter the phrase "family values" again. Family values is not an issue. it's nothing more than a catch phrase that makes you come across as smug and arrogant by believing that you have some kind of superior claim to moral rightousness over someone who disagrees with you politically. Plus it makes you look like a bunch of hypocrites when one of your red team elected officials has an affair. And make no mistake, they have affairs just as offen as blue team officials do.
Last point, your marketing campaign sucks. You've got to find a way to change the perception that you're just the party of angry white guys.
How do you fix the GOP?
They definitely need better marketing. But the dems will give them plenty of material over the next few years.
They won't win back control, but they'll make up some ground.
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