Let's face it, this is a bad year to be in the Grand Old Party. Money is trickling in compared to the Democratic coffers and the cash needs to be spent (cue irony music) in a conservative manner. One thing these guys need to learn is how to campaign effectively against one of two firsts in Presidential politics, a woman or a black man. Republicans want to be extra careful, so they are conducting top secret polling in order to find out what to do.
From The Politico:
Republicans will be told to “be sensitive to tone and stick to the substance of the discussion” and that “the key is that you have to be sensitive to the fact that you are running against historic firsts,” the strategist explained.[...]
“You can’t run against Barack Obama the way you could run against Bill Clinton, Al Gore or John Kerry,” said Jack Kemp, the 1996 GOP vice presidential nominee, who expressed concern that the party could be reduced to an “all white country club party” if it does not tread cautiously.
“Being an African American at the top of the ticket, if he makes it, is such a great statement about the country,” he added, “Obviously you have to be sensitive to issues that affect urban America. …You have to be careful.”
Careful about what Mr. Kemp? Looking like your insensitive selves? In order to stand a chance, the GOP will have to take on a new look. A successful strategy will ultimately involve masking the intent of proposed legislation that helps the wealthy white elite and screws everyone else. Demonizing minorities may be great for riling up the base, but not for independents who come from many different ethnic backgrounds. So can the GOP not act like the GOP this year and get away with it?
I highly doubt it. Get ready for many offensive comments from Mr. Bomb-Bomb-Bomb Iran.
|