How to Reverse the Romney and McCain Losses

[ClydeR]

(CNN) - Republicans hoping to regain the White House in 2016 would make a mistake by ignoring social issues, one of those potential candidates said Monday.

Rick Santorum, who says he's open to another White House bid and already speaks like a candidate, told CNN the GOP's focus on the economy and taxes, instead of social issues, was what led to presidential losses for the party in the last two cycles.

"That's exactly why the establishment Republicans supported Romney and McCain, because they didn't emphasize these positions, and they were going to run on one issue, which was limited government and lower taxes," Santorum said. "All of which are good things, and I support them, but I think what they showed is that they're insufficient."

More... (http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/04/08/first-on-cnn-santorum-to-focus-on-gops-future-in-iowa/)

If you think Santorum is wrong, then how do you explain George W. Bush's two victories? George H.W. Bush de-emphasized social issues, and he lost. George W. Bush emphasized social issues, and he won. McCain and Romney de-emphasized social issues, and they both lost. Do the math.

[Whirlin]

I think that's a bit of simplification of the elections, and dwells entirely on just the republican party without taking into account what the democrats have been doing over the last few elections.

It's like a game of poker. You can try to do everything in your power to convert your three of a kind into a full house, but if your opponent is bringing a four of a kind to the table, it's going to be difficult to beat.

I don't mean to say that the republican party shouldn't try to maximize their hand, but there are more factors that need to be considered.

[Latrinsorm]

You can try to do everything in your power to convert your three of a kind into a full house...Polygamist!!!

[ClydeR]

Exactly as I was saying..


Thirteen social conservatives, representing various influential groups, wrote Priebus ahead of the RNC's quarterly meeting this week in Los Angeles to sternly rebuke the conclusions of a post-election report that advised Republican elected officials to adopt a softer tone toward social issues.

"We respectfully warn GOP Leadership that an abandonment of its principles will necessarily result in the abandonment of our constituents to their support," concludes the letter, which was obtained by and independently verified by NBC News in advance of the meeting this week.

The letter further asks GOP committeemen to pass a resolution at their meeting this week re-affirming the party's 2012 national platform, which includes language calling for bans on abortion and same-sex marriage.

"Chairman Priebus agrees that we must stand up for our conservative principles while we work together to grow our party and win elections and has been traveling the country with that message," said Kirsten Kukowski, an RNC spokeswoman. Furthermore, she said that a resolution re-affirming the platform was currently being drafted, and would likely win approval from the full RNC this Friday.

More... (http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/10/17691775-social-conservatives-warn-priebus-they-could-abandon-gop?lite)

[ClydeR]

Exactly as I was saying..

It looks like the warning worked. The Republicans reaffirmed that they will do everything social conservatives want.


One of the resolutions affirms the committee’s “support for marriage as the union of one man and one woman, and as the optimum environment in which to raise healthy children for the future of America.”

Another involves the Supreme Court, which recently heard arguments in two cases involving gay marriage. One case involves California’s same-sex marriage ban, while the other involves the federal Defense Of Marriage Act, which prevents same-sex married couples from receiving certain federal benefits.

“The Republican National Committee implores the U. S. Supreme Court to uphold the sanctity of marriage in its rulings on California’s Proposition 8 and the Federal Defense of Marriage Act,” reads the RNC’s resolution.

The moves come days after social conservatives sent a letter to RNC Chairman Reince Priebus, threatening to decamp if the party did not reaffirm its commitment to their issues.

More... (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/04/12/republican-national-committee-reaffirms-opposition-to-gay-marriage/)

[Dendum]

Exactly what voters do you think will be drawn in by a more social issue driven republican party that they did not already get in the last election, looking at the numbers?