Republicans and Adult-ery
Now that I have everyone’s
attention, let’s talk about the one way the Republicans can negate
the momentum they have gained heading into the fall elections.
Political analysts all agree that this fall’s elections will be a
referendum on the Obama adminis tration and the Democratic
controlled Congress. If the elections were held today, in all
likelih ood, the Democrats would be handily defeated in both the
house and the senate ( not enough to take the majority in either
house).
The American people are going to hold the Democrats responsible for
the health care bill that passed, the growing budget deficits, and
the increasing government involvement in our lives ( banks, auto
industry, etc.)
As an African political strategist, I don’t share the same
enthusiasm that the Republicans are feeling. I think the party is
peaking too soon. One measure political operatives use to gage
electoral prospects is what we call the “ enthusiasm” factor. The
thinking is that if your base of supporters are emotionally excited
about your candidacy, they will show up on Election Day and will
contribute money to your campaign. There is no way Republicans will
be able to sustain this level of enthusiasm through the November
election. But I see a more ominous sign for the Republican
Party---the lack of adults. You have the Tea Party folks spewing out
all kinds of vile, hateful, and incendiary language and there no “
adults” within the party to stand up forcefully and say, ENOUGH!.
The stars are so aligned in the Republican’s favor that all they
have to do is simply shut up and let the Democrats destroy their own
electoral chances. But, Republicans have created a Frankenstein
monster ( Tea Party) that they can no longer control. The so-called
leaders within the party are terrified of challenging these groups
for fear of alienating them. Where are the adults?
The American people are with the Republican Party on the issues—less
government, lower taxes, and national security. The party’s rhetoric
and lack of a vision are going to keep the party from taking control
of either body of Congress.
The American people divorced themselves from the Republican Congress
in the elections of 2006 and 2008 for committing political
adultery---not being faithful to true Republican principles ( and
notice that I did not say conservative principles )
A true Republican doesn’t need to use racially tinged language. A
true Republican is not afraid to embrace a presidential initiative
from the opposing party if it is in synch with Republican
principles. A true Republican will share his vision for America with
the people in the market place of ideas.
Where are the adults in the Republican Party who will demand that
the rhetoric be toned down? Where are the adults in the party who
will embrace a Democratic president who is espousing a Republican
principle? Where are the adults who will challenge the party to take
our message to every community in the country?
If were are truly the “ big tent” party, why does the tent look so
small? If we believe we can “save” the country, when will you share
and take your vision to the American people?
In 2006 and 2008, the American people filed for divorce because the
Republican Party was caught in the very act of adultery. We cheated
on our vows to control spending, shrink the size of government, and
to lower taxes.
We need the adults in the party to tell the American people why they
should trust us to govern again, We know what Republicans are
against, but what are they for? How would a Republican vision make
the American life better?
Americans want more than just a bumper sticker campaign----party of
Lincoln, lower taxes, smaller government, etc. What is the vision
and what is the call to action? Americans will no longer vote for a
marriage of convenience; they want a marriage based on a commitment
to a specific vision. If true adult leaders emerge within the
Republican Party and take a principled stand for party values, this
is the type of adult-ery the voters will accept.
ANIIS ESSA
African political strategist
Washington dc |
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