GOP: Not Going Anywhere

The modern Republican Party's decline is a product of their unwillingness to adapt to a new world. However, once they begin to find their footing they will continue to be a national party. At this point, it is highly unlikely that they will suffer the same fate as the Whig Party. This is particularly true since they (almost alone) occupy the mainstream conservative ideology. Who on the right is going to do what Aldrich described? The GOP filled a void left by the Whigs in the Northwest and eventually moved into the Northeast? The Libertarian Party has a niche, but it drifts too far out of the mainstream (legalizing drugs is one example). That said, the demographic direction of the nation is skewing away from those people who currently make up the GOP base. However, there are enough innovative people within the party who can rescue them from becoming a regional faction that simply occupies the South and Great Plains. There are just going to be some growing pains.

Currently the GOP is attempting to meld themselves into a 21st century party made up of more than just (as the stereotype would say) crusty white men who continue fighting the 1960s-born culture wars by railing against abortion, gun control, and taxes. They have made some attempts to reach out to minorities (who, by 2050, will outnumber whites) and younger voters. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele is an African-American. Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal delivered the response to President Obama's address to Congress earlier this year. He is of Indian-American descent. Meghan McCain has recently become somewhat of a spokesperson (and a critic) for young Republicans. In addition, Congressman Aaron Schock, at 27 years old is the youngest member of the House of Representatives. Although his role so far has been more gossipy than substantive (he is frequently mentioned on tmz.com). The problem is that they have not quite figured out how to reach their target audience (other than perhaps McCain).

Steele has received criticism for his verbose personality and unwillingness to acknowledge the evolution of issues. For instance, his declaration that "we are cooling. We are not warming," runs counter to what former Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson was quoted as writing in the NY Times article for this blog: “The issues of the moment — income stagnation, climate disruption, massive demographic shifts and health care access — seem strange, unexplored land for many in the movement.” I realize it is the party chair's job to be controversial and partisan, but even Gerson (no pinko) recognizes climate change and the need to explore alternative forms of energy. Steele cooked up the "drill baby, drill" line during the campaign. So while he may represent a symbolic change away from the stereotypical Republican, he has yet to have a serious discussion with some of the more moderate forces (Governors Jon Huntsman, Charlie Crist, and Arnold Schwarzenegger) within the party. The good thing for the Republicans is that I think he wants to have that discussion. Shortly after being elected, he took a swipe at Rush Limbaugh by calling him what he is, "an entertainer." He later apologized. That demonstrates that while he is not publicly comfortable confronting the party heavyweights, he understands that it must be done.

Similar to Steele, Governor Jindal represents a shift away from what has represented the conservative movement. He is young, innovative, and not white. But he has done little to distance himself from base of the party (the number of people who identified themselves as Republicans fell significantly between 2004 and 2008). His decision to oppose the stimulus package was a little shocking and appeared to be in line with the conservative base of his party. Despite this and his lackluster response to President Obama's address to Congress, he has demonstrated leadership by attempting to rebuild a state that has been physically and emotionally destructed. If he can somehow translate that into a coherent message about the successes of the Republican Party, he can help the party rebound.

Perhaps the person speaking most clearly for the Republican Party is Senator John McCain's daughter, Meghan. She speaks a young person's language. She frequently posts a blog on The Daily Beast and has a tendency to be overtly critical of the party's fire brandish members (e.g. Ann Coulter and Laura Ingraham). If she and others (such as Chairman Steele, Governor Jindal, and Congressman Schock) within the Party can convince party leaders that Ronald Reagan is dead and the battles of the 1960s are over and the issues facing the nation need solutions that are not divisive toward minorities and young people, they can rebound and remain a national party.

To answer the 2nd question, yes I hope a byproduct of living in extraordinary times is that some of the chatter on cable news and in the blogosphere about the direction of the party will cease. Talk about issues is good for a change. Times are too sober to have a public that is more in tune with who got kicked off of Dancing with the Stars than what universal health care can mean for you. But what happens when the economy recovers? Does the GOP become what they were post World War II and we are left with Chris Matthews asking every other guest about the direction of the party GOP?