What Should the GOP Do Now?

With voters rejecting the GOP in 2006 and 2008, what should the party do now? A need for reflection and re-focusing is always important for a losing party, but especially now as the Obama movement takes hold. Here's a list of objectives for the party:

1. Get back to small government and focus on the middle class. For the last eight years, the Republicans have run as "Democrat Lite." With the Democrats now in complete control of Washington, the Republicans need to re-hone their voice of opposition to government as the solution to every problem, while cooperating on issues where the government can help. The lady here sees government as the answer to everything. This mindset is troubling, because I see it taking hold in much of the country. But as it always does, government will disappoint, and when that happens the voters will look to an alternative, if one is available. Tim Pawlenty's desire for the party to be the party of Sam's Club rather than the country club and Mike Huckabee's ability to communicate economic matters effectively need to be given priority in shaping the party for the next few years.

2. Weed out corruption in the party. One of the good things about 2006 and 2008 is that many Republicans who needed to be defeated have been. The party needs to have leadership and members in government that are not corrupt. Should Ted Stevens win re-election and try to come to Washington, the GOP should refuse to let him in. And how great would it be if he resigns and then Sarah Palin becomes the Senator from Alaska. Even if you don't like Palin, you have to admit this would be a juicy story. She ran against the corrupt Republican governor in Alaska and won, she can now take on the US Senator from Alaska and then the Senate as a whole.

3. Promote Young Leadership. While Huckabee and Pawlenty need to work to shape the party, leaders like Gov. Bobby Jindal and Gov. Charlie Crist, who know how to handle the economy and relate to the voters, need to beef up their foreign policy knowledge to be ready for 2012. In the Congress, the reigns of the Republican leadership should be handed to Rep. Eric Cantor and Rep. Jeb Hensarling. These two young leaders can help lead the minority party over the next two years. The Republican Party has always lost the youth vote, but as those voters age, the GOP must have leaders that can relate to the new generation.

4. Focus on Hispanic Population. John McCain lost the Hispanic vote 2-to-1 in the election. The rush of Hispanic voters to the Democratic Party is partly due to the Republican Party's stance on immigration reform (which ironically, John McCain opposed). The tenor of the debate led many Hispanics to feel isolated from the GOP. While racism wasn't a motivation of those opposed to a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, the escalating debate unintentionally insinuated that all Hispanics were somehow bad for the society. I know that wasn't the intent, but I think it reflects the reality. And the GOP needs to show repentance for that and seek to make inroads in the Hispanic community. There aren't many Hispanics in the GOP leadership, but Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida may be a good place to start. It is clear though that in order to remain relevant in our pluralistic society, the GOP image must be more than just that of a white guy party.

5. Remain Pro-Life but Expand Moral Issues. While the GOP must remain pro-life, it does need to seek to expand what is meant by that. Pro-life must extend beyond the womb. I think this can be done without a big government program by encouraging churches, ministries, and charities to assist with young mothers, and by making adoption more affordable. But also, there needs to be a way for young mothers who keep their babies to continue with their education and find a job. Sex Education should include the ABCs (Abstinence, Be Faithful, Condoms). While this may cause some on the Religious Right to be highly uncomfortable, reducing pregnancy will reduce abortions as well. Also, the economy needs to be discussed in moral terms, which is where the party needs Huckabee. He has eloquently connected his faith and the economy. Instead of being seen as the party of the rich, Republicans need to better explain how their policies help all by phrasing it in human terms rather than economic verbiage. Another issue that needs to be included in the moral agenda is the environment - look back to Theodore Roosevelt for guidance and John McCain as well. Speaking of these items does not mean the government has to be larger, but ignoring them will keep the GOP from adequately addressing these issues to the country in an influential way. Expanding the moral issues by stressing social justice will help with Catholic voters, young voters, and the expanding views of many evangelicals.

There are many other items the GOP could address. But clearly there is a need to examine the core of the party. The old leaders should be retired; the new leaders need to be given the helm. Huckabee and Pawlenty can help begin the process, Jindal, Crist, and hopefully soon-to-be Sen. Palin can become the face of the party. More than ever, it is vital for the Republican Party to be able to adequately promote a philosophy, while guarding against sounding out of date. The country is still middle conservative, but there has not been a consistent message to address this position. Obama's campaign was able to sway many of these voters not just because he is an amazing speaker, but because the Republicans could not consistently articulate a vision for the country. This must change in the next couple of years.