Conservative (Republican) Winter or Rebirth?

[gabe]

Much has been made of party indentification and the demographics of the country since 2006 when Republicans were first drubbed. Several prominent Republican strategists have come out and said that the GOP's failure to adapt to changing ideas and demographics in the country will leave them in a long icy winter of minority status. True or not though the fact remains that far more people label themselves conservative then moderate or liberal. According to a new Gallup poll 40% label themselves conservative, 20% liberal and 40% moderate. This is very important info for the GOP to remember if they want to remain relevant. The poll also states though that the GOP only has 28% self identified respondants while the Dems have 35% and Independents 36%. So is the GOP in for a long winter or no, what say you all?

http://www.gallup.com/poll/120857/Conservatives-Single-Largest-Ideological-Group.aspx?CSTS=alert

[gabe]

Agreed. At some point the country is going to have a sea change and realize that their cries for govt were to well answered. In states like Colorado, NM, California, NY, NJ and others it is already starting to happen. Now we need conservative candidates that can articulate a strong message and I have faith the RNC can find them.

[Whitehorse (Robin Ray)]

I think the problems which caused the losses in 06 & 08 are well documented - spending too much & increasing the size & scope ot government. I agree with Gabe that Pres. Bush did a good job with national security & socially, but went too far left in gov't programs & spending. The Republicans in congress did also. By not having a strong conservative candidate, we now have a strong leftist president & congressional leadership who are doing the wrong things exponentially more than Bush & the previous Republican congressional leadership. I also agree with Victoria; the calls to move more to the left are nothing more than siren calls to the rocks. We need articulate candidates authentically passionate in their conservative Republican principles & ideals.

[gabe]

Victoria you have no idea what i think of Bush, thanks. I consider Bush a hero actually, he kept this countryu safe for 7 years and honorable. I think he went to far to the left in govt programs but he was a solid social conservative. I agree the GOP as a party has moved to far to the left and it is time we get back to our conservative roots.

[Michael Brennan]

I know that NO moderate conservative has pissed of the conservatives because that is what a conservative is. I know a moderate pissed off the moderate conservatives greatly and the moderate lost in 2008. We are moving the party in the way of Reagan who was a moderate conservative and excelled at ti like the GOP is doing now. If we move anymore to the right or left, we lose and Obama is given a blank check to do as he pleases. I know the facts rile some but we have to deal in facts or we are wasting our time on here. Since I do not waste my time, I am dealing in facts and welcome all to join.
Good news from the Town Hall meetings and training. Another 22 GOP new voter registrations. And the number of people switching registrations to GOP is on the rise. GOP fundraising is increasing drastically. Campaign training has quadrupled. Technology use has skyrocketed, we do not know the full effects of it yet. Obama is scared and is trying to reorganize his web based grassroots campaigns again and he is pushing hard to force his way but the people are beginning to wake up against him. We are doing it folks, stay as Ronald moderate conservative and we win back our country to conservative principles. Move anymore to the right or left to extremism and we lose more seats again. Go America.

[Victoria]

First I want to say something to gabe-President Bush did not sink his party period, he kept people like you safe to say stupid things. The GOP sunk the GOP by trying to be Democrats & Liberals. Look at McCain, in fact look at everyone of the candidates that the GOP offered up-Rudy, Mitt (who couldn't even make up his mind on abortion until he had to), McCain-they were all & are all RINOS-that is what sunk GOP. Then they threw Palin in to try & pacify women-that was a bigger disaster.

When I am asked I no longer say I am a Republican-I don't want to be classed with Steele, Palin, McCain, Romney. I say that I am a CONSERVATIVE-in today's GOP this is a totally different animal. We do not need to be an open umbrella-we do not need to be Dems, what we need is to get off our high horses & be conservatives period.

[Whitehorse (Robin Ray)]

I believe the voters who support illegal immigration are not likely to support Republicans because it is only one of many issues, & on the other issues these supporters of illegal immigration will be opposed generally to the Republican viewpoint. I work with many Hispanic people who are no fans of illegal immigration or being lumped in with the illegal aliens.

[gabe]

Right Lee, which means the GOP needs to turn away from the issue of amnesty as a olive branch to Hispanics and reach them on other issues, the economy, jobs, education, cultural issues.

[Steve Lee]

Gabe- Your article illustrates the dilemma facing Republican candidates in their "safe" districts. If they support the foreign-born voters desire to have the immigration laws not apply to their cultural cohorts that are here illegally they will face the anger of the American voters, like Senator John McCain who supported "Comprehensive Immigration Reform-Amnesty" Click Underlined Link:

John McCain Faces Patriotic Resistance

[Whitehorse (Robin Ray)]

I go with targeting people as individuals, not members of some group. We must appeal without pandering, & that is where authentic passion for conservative Republican ideals come in. We have to sell our ideas & principles by letting people know how it benefits them - "what's in it for them." Almost everyone has attributes which makes him or her member of the "majority" & probably multiple minorities. People like to feel worthy as an individual.

[gabe]

Mean the grassroots. Well if the polls are any indication the GOP is done sinking. Generic polls either have the GOP tied or ahead of the Dems. GOP membership, though the MSM will never admit it is on the way up while the Dems membership is down. GOP voters are energized and the Dem voters are tired from the last election. The way things are going and Obama is going to sink his party faster then Bush did for the GOP. The Republicans just need to pick up the pieces. As it stands now the GOP has a plan to capitalize on Dem mistakes, now they need a plan to appeal to minority and business orientated independents.