By Sam Pierce -
Now that the "most important election in our lifetime" has passed, it is the natural time to reflect on the outcome and hear the expert advice on what must be done if members of the Republican Party seek to delight in future electoral success. Now is the time to determine how to wake up on the morning after the next election and find ourselves on the winning side as opposed to clinging to those nuisances that hinder the possibilities for success at the ballot box. It is time to "evolve" and align with people, positions, and ideals that are the most popular. Now is not the time time to be concerned with being "right," especially at the expense of, to quote noted philosopher Charlie Sheen, "winning!"
I will not claim to have cornered the insight market as it pertains to the disastrous election of 2012. I cannot explain, with absolute certainty, the factors contributing to the tragedy of last Tuesday. We must, however, pay close attention to those who are blessed with political omniscience and disregard just how wrong they may have been in predicting electoral outcomes. We must look at what wins in modern America.
Some thought that Mitt Romney was not the ideal candidate to defeat President Obama. Surely those who thought this were not all informed by the same reasoning. I wonder how many thought that Romney made a mistake by not supporting Obamacare in addition to Romneycare as opposed to proudly standing by Romneycare but opposing its national implementation? Perhaps we could be looking forward to the inauguration of President Romney if he hadn't given in to the urge to appease the "base" with blood-imbued "red meat." Again, I possess no monopoly on the wisdom of electoral mastery. I don't know if embracing Obamacare would have been enough to win the Oval Office. In hindsight, given the theme that has and will dominate the advice to Republicans, I think Romney did make a mistake on this issue.
The entire election wasn't Romney vs. Obama. We should examine our positions on a variety of issues and see where we might improve our chances moving "forward." We must adapt and develop a more "pragmatic" approach to campaigning and perhaps even platform construction. We simply must decide what really, truly matters!
We should not abandon such issues as abortion and illegal immigration. We could, however benefit from emulating some higher profile Republicans and "conservatives." Noted writer and Chris Christie advocate, Ann Coulter suggests the path forward on the issue of abortion is to move toward the Democrat position. Radio and cable television star Sean Hannity has the "right"... I mean "winning" idea regarding illegal immigration, which is to adopt the position of the left and legalize those here illegally.
The key, it would seem, is to focus like a laser on that which could be construed or presented as "wedge issues" and figure out what the left and its media tools can describe "red meat." Once we have a handle on what can be referred to as "red meat," our next step is obvious. Take the side of each issue that can be considered "nuanced," "evolved," "intellectual," or "progressive." Perhaps a rule of thumb could be: "WWOD?" Obama won, after all, why not emulate a winner?
It would seem that the path to victory can be found at the following site:
http://www.democrats.org/democratic-national-platform
If Republicans can put "forward" candidates who will not breath fire and champion "extremist" positions (those that oppose the positions of the Democrat Party), they can find themselves in better position to savor the sweet taste of victory! If Republican aspirants for office can evolve with enough success, they might earn accolades and be celebrated in such commentaries as the following:
An African-American president was re-elected to the office of the Presidency, the Democrats unexpectedly strengthened their hand in the Senate and House, and victories, including big ones for marriage equality, were registered at the state level.
Moreover, the balance of forces - that is, the ground on which people fight going forward - has shifted in a progressive direction. And thanks in large measure goes to what might be the most notable development in this election - the emergence of a multi-racial, male-female, working-class-based electoral coalition that has the potential to transform America in the years and decades ahead.
Imagine the satisfaction of receiving praise from Sam Webb, of Communist Party USA!
If Republicans can get their act together, they can expect a much better chance of achieving victory in the future. All that is required is to erect a bigger tent. The tent should provide room for all who currently seek comfort in the Democrat tent. Of course, the group disdainfully referred to as "the base" will become expendable if the GOP is serious about "winning," so we can let them mull around outside until the time comes to demand their support.
I am genuinely curious how successful the Republican Party will be if it can truly follow the advice of those in the know and replicate the Democrat Party positions. If this path does not lead to the promised land, perhaps "Republicans" who seek "winning" over being "right" would find the grass greener in the actual Democrat Party.
Cross-posted from "Malignant Liberal Idiocy"
