After major electoral defeats in 2006 and 2008, the Republican Party may be starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel. It has taken an important first step in choosing Michael Steele as the next RNC chairman. Steele’s greatest virtue as the new chair will likely not be in day-to-day management skills, but rather in his ability to re-brand the GOP. As an African-American from Maryland, Steele clearly doesn’t fit the stereotypical image of a leading Republican. And this is great news for the Republican Party.
The GOP’s big problem right now is selling itself nationally to an electorate that increasingly views it as a homogenous, regional party – read, a party of southern white men. Having Michael Steele as the RNC chair will aid in changing this perception and perhaps help in diminishing the influence of the demographic trends threatening to turn the GOP into a fringe party.
Going into 2010, Republicans have some work to do in order to reemerge as a viable national party. In 2008, Democrats made successful use of the so-called “50 state strategy” — hiring organizers from every state in order to gain a more local feel for each district. Similarly, Republicans must recognize the need to have a presence across the country. True, there will be some districts in which Republicans will never be able to win elections. But to simply write them off — without even a minimal attempt to understand the views of voters in these areas — adds fuel to the argument that the Republican Party is out of touch with some regions of the country.
Steele seems to understand the need for a Republican version of the 50 state strategy. In his victory speech just after being chosen as RNC chair last Friday, Steele proclaimed, “We’re gonna bring this party to every corner, every boardroom, every neighborhood, every community.” This attitude underscores his understanding that the party needs to reach beyond its hard-core base in order to achieve electoral success.
In order for the Republican Party to attract more supporters, it must also pick out those constituencies whose political identifications are malleable. One group that has the potential to be swayed by a rejuvenated party is young voters. In 2004, 18 to 29 year olds went with John Kerry over George W. Bush by a margin of 54 percent to 44 percent. But in 2008, they chose Barack Obama over John McCain by a margin of 66 percent to 32 percent. In one election cycle, then, a 10-point spread became a 32-point spread. Though some analysts might try to attribute this great difference to the strength of Obama’s appeal to young people, the gain of 22 points in four years is hard to explain without another reason. Another explanation is that Republicans have done little to compete with Democrats in communicating with young people using technology they rely on (Does anyone believe John McCain would have announced his VP pick via text message?).
But the GOP can become more modern while staying true to its core principles, and Steele is just the leader to accomplish this. Ironically, one of the things that held Steele back during the race for the RNC chairmanship will likely strengthen the Republican Party’s hand going forward. Some RNC members were miffed by Steele’s service on the board of the moderate Republican Leadership Council. But it is precisely Steele’s embrace of a broader big tent philosophy, while staying true to conservative principles, that will swell the party’s ranks.
In a December 2008 interview with CBN’s “The Brody File,” Steele defended his time with the RLC by arguing that it was a way to gain greater attention for the conservative point of view: “My being on this board had nothing to do with lessening my conservative values or somehow appeasing them or compromising them. It had everything to do with reasserting them.” Those who opposed Steele’s candidacy for RNC chair would do well to remember that. With his willingness to reach out geographically and ideologically to make his party more modern, Steele has just the qualities to rejuvenate the GOP.
7 responses so far
1 HollywoodBill // Feb 2, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Steele has some admirable goals. Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat in NY. The Governorships of New Jersey and Virginia. The Northeast cannot just be written off any more than the Pacific Coast can. There isn’t a single Republican US Senator on the West Coast. And he’s going to have some interesting situations. Arnold is termed out in 2010. Historically, California has Republican governors with a Democratic majority in the Assembly and Senate. So far, all three Republican candiates are social moderates and California hasn’t elected a social conservative statewide since 1986.
2 Fitz // Feb 2, 2009 at 2:28 pm
A fifty state strategy is absolutely essential. Michael Steele would be the Maryland Senator right now if not for Katrina. Politicians like Steele know how to present the Republican platform in a refreshing and vibrant way. People are looking for an alternative to the democrats; we cant win by giving them democrat lite. I for one am looking forward to representing the Party in my home State of Michigan. State Republicans can be very competitive in as history has shown. We need at least one Republican Senator and we deserve one. The reason for republican losses in the Midwest can be attributed to the decline of our manufacturing base and the power of unions. Republicans need the kind of 50 state strategy that appeals to the unique economic concerns of the Midwest and other regions.
Governors and Senators are a good place to start. The people in Michigan are ripe for a change once they see that Obama wont bring back the jobs we lost.
3 Bulldoglover100 // Feb 2, 2009 at 4:09 pm
For those Republicans miffed by his being a member of the Republican Leadership Council? LOL They are the biggest problem with this party. The Republican Leadership Council are ALL voting Republicans! what do they not understand about that? without moderate Republicans? the GOP will never win another election.
I agree also with the 50 state. We must reach out to them and if we do not start now? The Dems will become entrenced at the college level all across the country.
Good points Jennifer.
4 Kaz // Feb 3, 2009 at 7:46 am
“But it is precisely Steeles embrace of a broader big tent philosophy, while staying true to conservative principles, that will swell the partys ranks.”
I hope Steele will at a minimum state what those “conservative principles” are. My view is that Republican’s don’t need to act more like Democrats to expand their base. Republican’s need to make a convincing case why smaller government is necessary and better, by personalizing the benefits in a way each voter can understand.
5 sinz54 // Feb 3, 2009 at 9:46 am
If you ask young people what they think the GOP stands for, they will tell you: It’s anti-gay, anti-sex, and pro-war. We will not make any headway with the youth vote until we change that perception. And we can’t change that perception just by a better public relations campaign–because, unfortunately, there is some truth to it. Kathryn Jean Lopez of the National Review has written that reducing abortions through birth control (Giuliani’s approach) is insufficient, because the “real” goal of conservatives is actually to reduce premarital sex. Premarital sex may be a fit subject for a political movement of social conservatives, but it cannot be allowed to be associated with the national Republican party. The GOP cannot position itself as a party of moral scolds, acting as grumpy grandparents, if it hopes to attract young people. Secondly, polls have consistently shown that each new generation of young people is more tolerant of homosexuals than the previous generation. The GOP’s argument that same-sex marriage breaks with long-standing traditions is hardly an argument to appeal to young people, who didn’t help craft any of those traditions. The GOP does not have to endorse same-sex marriage. But it has to show that gays and lesbians are welcome in the party. Not as tokens to be displayed for the TV cameras at a GOP convention, but in the Republican party hierarchy, even at the highest levels of policy setting. Mr. Steele, an African-American, is going to help set policy. There should bey andn Republicans right alongside him. A meeting between Mr. Steele and Tammy Bruce would send a message.
6 njrepublican // Feb 3, 2009 at 9:52 am
I agree with Bulldoglover100. It is the narrow minded “right” wing that is pushing a losing agenda. Who cares if he is a member of the Republican Leadership Council. Just as much as who cares if someone is a member of the Christian Coalition. We need to broaden our approach and focus true core values in all 50 states. We need to energize our youth, grow our grassroots efforts and embrace technology. I look forward to seeing the effects of Michael Steele.
7 The GOP Abandons Rhode Island : Delaware Liberal // Dec 14, 2009 at 8:31 am
[...] reports that the sole GOP candidate for governor has dropped out of the race. Ha! How’s that 50 State Strategy working out for ya Michael [...]
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