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mwb970

(11,299 posts)
Fri Feb 15, 2013, 09:11 AM Feb 2013

Great article: "Can the Republicans Be Saved From Obsolescence?" [View all]

Can the Republicans Be Saved From Obsolescence? by Robert Draper
(NY Times Magazine, February 14, 2013)

But the problem for the G.O.P. extends well beyond its flawed candidate and his flawed operation. The unnerving truth, which the Red Edge team (a digital-advocacy group for conservative causes) and other younger conservatives worry that their leaders have yet to appreciate, is that the Republican Party’s technological deficiencies barely begin to explain why the G.O.P. has lost the popular vote in five of the last six presidential elections. The party brand — which is to say, its message and its messengers — has become practically abhorrent to emerging demographic groups like Latinos and African-Americans, not to mention an entire generation of young voters. As one of the party’s most highly respected strategists told me: “It ought to concern people that the most Republican part of the electorate under Ronald Reagan were 18-to-29-year-olds. And today, people I know who are under 40 are embarrassed to say they’re Republicans. They’re embarrassed! They get harassed for it, the same way we used to give liberals a hard time.”

It was not long after the election that elder statesmen of the G.O.P. began offering assurances that all would soon be right. But younger Republicans were not buying it. On Dec. 6, (Romney digital adviser Zac) Moffatt addressed an audience of party digital specialists at the R.N.C.’s Capitol Hill Club. Moffatt spoke confidently about how, among other things, the Romney digital team had pretty much all the same tools the Obama campaign possessed. Bret Jacobson (of Red Edge) was shocked when he read about Moffatt’s claim the next day. “That’s like saying, ‘This Potemkin village will bring us all prosperity!’ ” Jacobson told me. “There’s something to be said for putting on a happy face — except when it makes you sound like Baghdad Bob.”

(snip)

About an hour into the (all-women focus group) session, (GOP pollster Kristin) Anderson walked up to a whiteboard and took out a magic marker. “I’m going to write down a word, and you guys free-associate with whatever comes to mind,” she said. The first word she wrote was “Democrat.” “Young people,” one woman called out. “Liberal,” another said. Followed by: “Diverse.” “Bill Clinton.”“Change.”“Open-minded.”“Spending.”“Handouts.”“Green.”“More science-based.”

When Anderson then wrote “Republican,” the outburst was immediate and vehement: “Corporate greed.”“Old.”“Middle-aged white men.” “Rich.” “Religious.” “Conservative.” “Hypocritical.” “Military retirees.” “Narrow-minded.” “Rigid.” “Not progressive.” “Polarizing.” “Stuck in their ways.” “Farmers.” The session with the young men was equally jarring. None of them expressed great enthusiasm for Obama. But their depiction of Republicans was even more lacerating than the women’s had been. “Racist,” “out of touch” and “hateful” made the list — “and put ‘1950s’ on there too!” one called out.


This insightful article is quite long but it's very well written and well worth reading.
41 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Not really, because it's not in a conservative's nature to change. HughBeaumont Feb 2013 #1
The article gives me hope for the future auburngrad82 Feb 2013 #2
It won't happen untill we get Republicans out of statehouses mountain grammy Feb 2013 #7
Frankly, I am unconcerned about whether or not the GOP survives Proud Liberal Dem Feb 2013 #3
seconded! Euphoria Feb 2013 #9
Thirded AlbertCat Feb 2013 #11
Having rational opposition party is good for the country. iandhr Feb 2013 #21
I get that Proud Liberal Dem Feb 2013 #23
Couldn't agree more. iandhr Feb 2013 #26
very true -- we should stop giving them the answers klyon Feb 2013 #30
They've really reached the point- thanks to 2010 midterms-where they're largely "winning" by numbers Proud Liberal Dem Feb 2013 #41
Only if we help them Puzzledtraveller Feb 2013 #4
There is a sense of desperation in the GOP that has them piling on any perceived KurtNYC Feb 2013 #5
"You can't fix stupid" Uben Feb 2013 #6
But we can quit electing them. mountain grammy Feb 2013 #8
The Republican Party is alive and thriving.... Jerry442 Feb 2013 #10
Bingo! RC Feb 2013 #29
hate is their base democrat_cop Feb 2013 #12
Oh god, another "How to save the republican party" paper NBachers Feb 2013 #13
Did you read the whole article? mwb970 Feb 2013 #19
I've seen this victory dance before... 99Forever Feb 2013 #14
I've seen it, too. But I think this is different. randome Feb 2013 #18
I want to save the whole political system SHRED Feb 2013 #15
I remember after the 2008 election they were saying the republicans were done kimbutgar Feb 2013 #16
no - as society becomes more educated and smarter, more spiritual samsingh Feb 2013 #17
Let's hope not. n/t Downtown Hound Feb 2013 #20
This quote is nice: " "the bigger problem they’ve got with Latinos isn’t immigration. It’s their bloomington-lib Feb 2013 #22
to quote my very elderly father... Sen. Walter Sobchak Feb 2013 #24
we did not not elect raygun klyon Feb 2013 #31
indeed my father didn't like hippies, but his point is simple, Sen. Walter Sobchak Feb 2013 #32
still don't buy it klyon Feb 2013 #33
You completely miss the point! Sen. Walter Sobchak Feb 2013 #34
I was 18 and liberal nadinbrzezinski Feb 2013 #35
no klyon Feb 2013 #39
so if they cease to be hippies than hippies did not elect Reagan klyon Feb 2013 #40
And yet, IDemo Feb 2013 #25
Neither party learns until they are buried in a presidential election landslide, 49 states to 1. reformist2 Feb 2013 #27
I really really REALLY JustAnotherGen Feb 2013 #28
Anti Nebraska Party? cranberry Feb 2013 #36
Products Of Our Environment... KharmaTrain Feb 2013 #37
Not if there is a God. WinkyDink Feb 2013 #38
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