Posted by
John Caile on Thursday, November 05, 2009 12:04:26 PM
As predicted, following the Republican's razor-thin loss of New York's 23rd Congressional District, Newt Gingrich made it clear that he is still clinging to his losing strategy of running so-called "moderate" candidates. He also somewhat arrogantly reminded us, several times, that, "as someone who
engineered the first Republican majority since 1928" he was the all-seeing, all knowing expert in such matters - suggesting rather clearly that we mere peasants should bow to his
superior intellect and political skills.
True, he did preface his statements with a brief admission that he was remiss in not realizing what a bad choice the party had made in nominating liberal-Democrat-in-Republican-clothing Dede Scozzafava. But he then went immediately back into his now tiresome speech about how, in order to achieve a majority, Republicans need to offer candidates who can appeal to "moderates."
But if Newt's theory is true, then how exactly did Rarak Obama, the most radical left-wing presidential candidate in history, get elected? After all, you cannot find a single policy on which Obama's position is even close to being "moderate" or "centrist."
The answer isn't that complicated. Obama won because he simply waged a carefully crafted campaign that hid his extremist views in bland and unspecific promises about "hope" and "change" - while portraying himself as a centrist moderate, not becoming one. Even today, he peppers his sales pitch for the most extreme socialism in American history with downright Reaganesque language about "competition" and "choice."
Newt, like too many Republicans today, misses two key points. First, most Americans are not nearly as "moderate" as he thinks. Most people who refer to themselves as "moderate" or "centrist" do so simply because it makes them feel like "independent thinkers" rather than ideologues, but at the end of the day, they are far more conservative than even they realize. Recent events have demonstrated this rather clearly - from the outcry over amnesty for illegals, to the rising opposition to socialized medicine, Americans are showing their true (conservative) colors.
Second, for decades now, Republican elites have thought the way to win is to adopt policy positions that more closely resemble those of their opponents, otherwise know as "moving to the center." But the real secret to success is to adopt their tactics, not their policies. Look how Democrats push their agenda. They kick. They claw. They bite. In other words, they FIGHT. And more importantly, just as in the classic Judo principle, Democrats use our own words against us. Even Newt Gingrich admitted this - but then went straight back into defending the strategy of running Republicans who are little more than "Democrat Light" candidates.
So, instead of using dull facts and "me-too" approaches that have about
as much appeal as cold oatmeal, Republicans should adopt the language
and tactics that actually appeal to the broader populace - in other
words, they they need to do a better job of marketing. You already have a superior product in
conservatism - don't replace it with a Yugo - learn how to sell it.
But no matter what, Republicans must return to their conservativie roots, and start offering candidates who represent a clear alternative to the liberal Democrats. Otherwise, we will see increasing losses, as voters, seeing less and less difference between the parties, go for the "real" Democrat over the pseudo-Republican.
Or worse, more and more disaffected voters will look to 3rd party candidates like Doug Hoffman, which will ultimately just split the center to moderate vote, and virtually guarantee Democrat victories, just as it did in the 23rd district race.
Wise up, Newt...