Has the GOP learned how to win?
How the Republican Party can turn Tuesday's election victories into a grand old sweep in 2010
New Jersey Gov.-elect Chris Christie, left, and Lt. Gov.-elect Kim Guadagno celebrate their victory.
(Reuters/Corbis/Jeff Zelevansky)
GOP strategists say the party has bounced back from the defeat of 2008 after winning Tuesday's gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia (despite President Obama's personal efforts to buoy up Democrats Jon Corzine and Creigh Deeds). Commentators are divided about what the results can teach Republicans about winning in 2010. (Watch Newt Gingrich sound off on the GOP's 2010 chances)
Republicans shouldn't go too far right: Tuesday's elections provided "the first tangible evidence" that Republicans can win over independent voters, says Dan Balz in The Washington Post. The victories of Bob McDonnell, a social conservative who campaigned as a moderate in Virginia, and Chris Christie in New Jersey showed that all it takes is "the right kind of candidates and the right messages." Still, the surprise loss of a GOP House seat in upstate New York suggests that "Republicans could squander that opportunity if they demand candidates who are too conservative to appeal to the middle."
"Contests serve as warning to Democrats: It's not 2008 anymore"
The GOP just needs to tap into anti-Democrat anger: "One of the big surprises of this year," says Michael Barone in the Washington Examiner, "has been the spontaneous outpouring of spirited opposition to the Democrats' big government programs and the disappearance of the enthusiasm that propelled Obama and Democrats to their big wins in 2008. The question is how Republicans can harness that enthusiasm."
"Va., N.J. races show voters changing course"
The lesson—Republicans have to change: Conservatives claim they've got their groove back, says Peter Beinart in The Daily Beast, "but it’s not the same old groove." In the 1990s, GOP candidates won by hammering on social issues such as abortion, gay rights, and gun control. Now, the "hard-right tea-party" crowd can't see beyond its "anti-government crusade." If the economy improves, their obsession will likely "strike swing voters as irrelevant and obnoxious."
"Behind the Democratic wipeout"
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11 Comments
Posted by RealityCheck, Thursday, November 5, 2009, 11:36 am Has the GOP learned how to win? Sure! Why not? I think low voter turnout is always an excellent political strategy. Way to go!!...
Posted by Will, Thursday, November 5, 2009, 1:03 pm I think in the case of the NJ Governor's race I think the public wanted change, Corzine had made promises that he never delivered, much like George H. W. Bush did in the early 90's. Voters do not forget promises of lower or no new taxes that go unanswered. I think anything is possible when politicians make promises that they can't fulfill and I think BHO will learn that in 2012. If he doesn't deliver his change, he won't get another term. Same with NP, she has something to worry about when her home state is bankrupt.
Posted by AK-an, Thursday, November 5, 2009, 1:06 pm Michael Steele needs to quit mailing stilted questionaires to GOP members. Instead, Michael, listen. Ask us our opinions. The GOP has the greatest strength, the greatest that could back the party. But then, who wants to support irrational strategies? The GOP has the majority of the counties in the U.S. Much potential.
Posted by carole del monte, Thursday, November 5, 2009, 1:09 pm Many Americans are in a panic understandably so. Some of them will jump at any alternative when elections arise. They want a quick fix no politician can accomplish that. The Republicans are riding on their weak promises. Obama is a man of integrity who will keep on working to help our country turn around from the mess he inherited. That's going to take time. I don't envy the new electees. They are going to have to prove themselves immediately or be kicked to the curb.
Posted by dj spellchecka, Thursday, November 5, 2009, 1:30 pm running against democratic candidates that aren't very popular with democratic voters can only go so far as a strategy..i'm not sure why barone was surprised about the lack of enthusiam, especially in virginia....the very first poll i saw had deeds stuggling in the bluest part of the state..after that, i would have been amazed if he had won..
Posted by Brett, Thursday, November 5, 2009, 1:57 pm The attention that the governor's races are getting underscores the fact that the liberal media is a myth and the corporate media is much more strongly aligned with neocons. The governor's races were statenot federalpolitics, yet these races are almost all we hear about. There was also another election that night, and it was for a federal office, but you don't hear that much about even though the repubs lost a traditionally repub district. The federal office is the one that was more of a commentary on BO, so why isn't there more on that one
Posted by loyal repub, Thursday, November 5, 2009, 2:06 pm NO, they have not. Sadly, they don't 'get' their base, at all.
Posted by Carole, Thursday, November 5, 2009, 3:48 pm The GOP should study the Yankee organization. They never give up and they go out to win, each and every time. They spend their money wisely, albeit lavishly when necessary. They reward the players. They are WINNERS. They keep their mouths shut and everyone in the organization moves in ONE direction, toward the goal.
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