It\’s Every Man For Himself

It\’s every man for himself….

…..at least that appears to be the new motto for the GOP. What\’s more, leadership at all levels of the GOP have started engraving \”Abandon Faith All Ye Who Enter Here\” above their offices and are sending out resumes to anyone that will listen. The third straight special election loss for the GOP doesn\’t exactly give one warm fuzzies about November. Already there are those that are claiming that 2008 will be 1994 in reverse, and they have no shortage of reasons to think so.

It could honestly be said it couldn\’t happen to a more deserving group as well. For over a decade Republicans have squandered majorities and public trust. Rather than advancing conservatives principles, they\’ve indulged in greed and power at the taxpayer\’s expense. And while Republican leadership will probably change hands, it\’s not likely to improve anything. There are few Republicans who aren\’t guilty of the same behavior and there isn\’t exactly a born leader waiting in the wings.

One could be excused for pondering if conservatism is dead. But one would also be wrong. In both 2006 and in the last three special election losses, many of the races that the GOP has lost, were lost to Blue Dog Democrats….essentially moderate conservatives. People are sick of being betrayed by Republican candidates that claim to be conservatives but then get to Washington and do a 540-degree turn. Instead they vote for the Democrat who at least claims to hold conservatives views…which itself should be a clear statement of how little trust people have in the GOP.

Republicans need to ditch the \”at least we\’re not Democrats\” approach to campaigning, not even fellow conservatives are buying that BS anymore. They need to explain in clear and no uncertain terms what they are going to do…..and it better include core conservative principles. Here\’s a couple examples :

Immigration – This is a 90% issue that Republicans have never taken advantage of. Half the GOP still advances the idea of amnesty, the other half even though it opposes it is too damn timid to pursue enforcement. The public is overwhelmingly in favor of border enforcement. Plus this is an issue if handled right could split the Blue Dog Democrats from their more liberal leadership.

Tax&Spending – The economy is in a bit of a down spot at the moment, people aren\’t going to want to hear about more taxes. Push more tax relief. Declare that a major goal is a balanced budget amendment. It probably won\’t happen but it plays well in the public. For one those who can\’t print our own money (hint : that\’s the taxpayers), are used to this concept….we do it at the end of every month. Second it is red meat for the conservative base. The same conservatives who thought we were voting for the party of limited government and instead got stuff with bridges to nowhere and other such nonsense.

Energy – We need to reduce our foreign dependence and do it quickly. This is a widespread issue but it had a lot of points on which Republican can act with wide public support. Nuclear, domestic drilling, refineries, etc….reducing foreign dependence. The problem is all those solution will take years (decades?) to see an effect….public patience is limited. Deregulation and standardizing fuel mixtures could create a more immediate effect.

Those are three issues right there that are likely to play well to the current public mood. Plus all three are also red meat for conservatives.

Even if I\’m entirely wrong on these three issues, it\’s clear that Republicans need to come up with a new message. Republicans need to define themselves rather than just label themselves \”Democrats Light\”.

[Crossposted at True North]