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Sunday, November 23, 2008 6:16 AM CST
State GOP rethinks ideas after losses
DISCLAIMER: The Courier provides our story commenting feature in order to solicit feedback, debate and discussion on topics of local interest. Please keep in mind that civility is a necessary component of productive conversation. All blatantly inflammatory or otherwise inappropriate comments (i.e. vulgarity, marketing, etc.) are subject to rejection and/or removal. Comments will appear if and when they are approved. For a more in-depth explanation of our policy, please see our Rules of the Road. Thanks for reading, and thanks for participating.
State GOP rethinks ideas after losses
By CHARLOTTE EBY
After taking a drubbing, the GOP in Iowa as well as the rest of the country has some self-examination to do.
The losses piled up for Iowa Republicans on Election Day, and Iowa voters went for a Democratic presidential candidate for the first time since 2000.
Republicans lost seats in the Iowa House and Senate, allowing Democrats to increase their majorities in both chambers.
If the GOP saw a bright spot in Iowa, it was that they didn’t lose any of their congressional seats. Steve King and Tom Latham both survived challenges, beating their Democratic opponents by wide margins.
That shows both candidates are probably safe in their more conservative districts, but the Iowa GOP will need to show it has wider appeal if it wants to start winning statewide elections again.
Republicans knew they were in trouble long before voters headed to the ballot box.
The purge of GOP leadership in the state began even before then, when two social conservatives replaced two party insiders as the state’s representatives for the Republican National Committee.
Since the party’s election losses, two Sioux City Republicans who led their caucuses in the Legislature are out of their positions — Christopher Rants in the House and Ron Wieck in the Senate.
Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Stewart Iverson is also stepping down from his role.
Republicans are faced with the perennial question for the party out of power: Is it time to return to the party’s core beliefs or re-examine those beliefs to see if they reflect the majority of the electorate?
The party faithful want to return to their roots as the party of lower taxes, smaller government and personal responsibility. They think the deficits in Washington have cost their party credibility, and a return to fiscal discipline can bring back into the fold voters who care about smart spending policies.
That’s a message that might be particularly effective two years from now after a Democratic lock on power at both the state and national level.
The GOP can also hope the economic downturn will be on the upswing by then and voters are less moved by promises of economic help from Democratic candidates.
The moderate wing of the party thinks it’s time Republicans stop applying a litmus test to candidates on issues such as abortion and gay rights.
But social conservatives point out the party is built on pro-life and pro-family values and that stepping away from strong positions on those issues is abandoning what the party stands for. Strategists know if they can’t excite the party base of social conservatives, it’s hard to win.
Republicans also have 2012 to think about, a contest that’s already shaping up with visits to Iowa by presidential hopefuls.
It might take an emerging GOP star piecing together an unlikely victory to give Republicans a road map on how to win again.
Until that happens though, we’ll continue to see a lot of finger-pointing and squabbles over the future of the party.
Time in the wilderness can help Republicans come to more practical realizations about what they face. You can’t spread your party’s ideals very effectively if you can’t win elections.
The losses piled up for Iowa Republicans on Election Day, and Iowa voters went for a Democratic presidential candidate for the first time since 2000.
Republicans lost seats in the Iowa House and Senate, allowing Democrats to increase their majorities in both chambers.
If the GOP saw a bright spot in Iowa, it was that they didn’t lose any of their congressional seats. Steve King and Tom Latham both survived challenges, beating their Democratic opponents by wide margins.
That shows both candidates are probably safe in their more conservative districts, but the Iowa GOP will need to show it has wider appeal if it wants to start winning statewide elections again.
Republicans knew they were in trouble long before voters headed to the ballot box.
The purge of GOP leadership in the state began even before then, when two social conservatives replaced two party insiders as the state’s representatives for the Republican National Committee.
Since the party’s election losses, two Sioux City Republicans who led their caucuses in the Legislature are out of their positions — Christopher Rants in the House and Ron Wieck in the Senate.
Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Stewart Iverson is also stepping down from his role.
Republicans are faced with the perennial question for the party out of power: Is it time to return to the party’s core beliefs or re-examine those beliefs to see if they reflect the majority of the electorate?
The party faithful want to return to their roots as the party of lower taxes, smaller government and personal responsibility. They think the deficits in Washington have cost their party credibility, and a return to fiscal discipline can bring back into the fold voters who care about smart spending policies.
That’s a message that might be particularly effective two years from now after a Democratic lock on power at both the state and national level.
The GOP can also hope the economic downturn will be on the upswing by then and voters are less moved by promises of economic help from Democratic candidates.
The moderate wing of the party thinks it’s time Republicans stop applying a litmus test to candidates on issues such as abortion and gay rights.
But social conservatives point out the party is built on pro-life and pro-family values and that stepping away from strong positions on those issues is abandoning what the party stands for. Strategists know if they can’t excite the party base of social conservatives, it’s hard to win.
Republicans also have 2012 to think about, a contest that’s already shaping up with visits to Iowa by presidential hopefuls.
It might take an emerging GOP star piecing together an unlikely victory to give Republicans a road map on how to win again.
Until that happens though, we’ll continue to see a lot of finger-pointing and squabbles over the future of the party.
Time in the wilderness can help Republicans come to more practical realizations about what they face. You can’t spread your party’s ideals very effectively if you can’t win elections.
More Stories from Columnists » Eby
Phil wrote on Nov 24, 2008 10:10 AM:
" Please, please, please build the Republican party around Sarah Palin.
In 20 years its fate will be the same as those turkeys during Palin's interview at the turkey farm last week. "
In 20 years its fate will be the same as those turkeys during Palin's interview at the turkey farm last week. "
(return of) joe wrote on Nov 24, 2008 11:59 AM:
" Hetfield is right. Stay the course with "real conservatism," whatever that is. That is the key to victory. "
MAC wrote on Nov 24, 2008 12:18 PM:
" To all middle and left leaning Republicans being targeted by hetfield:
I'm sure that the Democrats will welcome you. There is room for all under their 'big tent'.
Keep up with the extreme rhetoric...as empty as it may be. The more you alienate...the more voters will realize that the conservatives are the genuine, self-defined elitists in this country.
(And I am not EVEN going to address the obvious sexist tirade about all of the 'beauty' on the right. he hung himself nicely with THAT one.) "
I'm sure that the Democrats will welcome you. There is room for all under their 'big tent'.
Keep up with the extreme rhetoric...as empty as it may be. The more you alienate...the more voters will realize that the conservatives are the genuine, self-defined elitists in this country.
(And I am not EVEN going to address the obvious sexist tirade about all of the 'beauty' on the right. he hung himself nicely with THAT one.) "
timbrackett wrote on Nov 24, 2008 12:37 PM:
" first, sarah palin is not intelligent. second, in todays political climate you must reach the middle to win elections. third, sarah palin drove away the middle and thus was a drag on the ticket. fourth, if the g.o.p. really believes sarah palin is the future of their party, the party is dying. fifth, why the attack on michelle obama--i think she is beautiful. "
cf1981 wrote on Nov 24, 2008 2:26 PM:
" LOL oh my goodness hetfield, yes! you are right on target. your party needs to move FAR MORE to the right! keep thumping your chests and chanting your banner of god, gays and guns and see where that gets you. if it's anything like 2006 and 2008, it will get you closer to the front of the unemployment line! hahahahahaha! "
taxpayer wrote on Nov 24, 2008 2:42 PM:
" Sarah Palin intelligent maybe, but did not see it on the issues or during the debate. I hope she does run in 2012 because if she comes back with as little knowledge as she had this year it won't be hard for her opponent to take her out. "
hetfield wrote on Nov 24, 2008 3:34 PM:
" timbrackett wrote on Nov 24, 2008 12:37 PM:
" first, sarah palin is not intelligent. second, in todays political climate you must reach the middle to win elections. third, sarah palin drove away the middle and thus was a drag on the ticket. fourth, if the g.o.p. really believes sarah palin is the future of their party, the party is dying. fifth, why the attack on michelle obama--i think she is beautiful. "
Yea, sarah is not smart. yo uare right. of course she has done alot more than b hussein. so if she is not smart, then it is true that b hussein is incompetent.
mac, sorry, but you show me a pretty, female, politician on the left and i will show you what a catfish looks like. NOW for some reason hates it when women on the right achieve at greater levels than on the left. especially when she is alot more attractive than them. "
" first, sarah palin is not intelligent. second, in todays political climate you must reach the middle to win elections. third, sarah palin drove away the middle and thus was a drag on the ticket. fourth, if the g.o.p. really believes sarah palin is the future of their party, the party is dying. fifth, why the attack on michelle obama--i think she is beautiful. "
Yea, sarah is not smart. yo uare right. of course she has done alot more than b hussein. so if she is not smart, then it is true that b hussein is incompetent.
mac, sorry, but you show me a pretty, female, politician on the left and i will show you what a catfish looks like. NOW for some reason hates it when women on the right achieve at greater levels than on the left. especially when she is alot more attractive than them. "
MAC wrote on Nov 25, 2008 6:55 AM:
" I agree....the Republicans SHOULD rebuilt their entire party and strategy around Sarah Palin and a run for the Presidency in 2012. GREAT idea! GREAT streategy!!
You'd be better off distributing Barry Goldwater DVDs. "
You'd be better off distributing Barry Goldwater DVDs. "
timbrackett wrote on Nov 25, 2008 11:23 AM:
" sarah palin has not done a lot more than barack obama. she's the governor of a remote state no one even thinks about--except when the price of oil increases drastically. barack obama is president-elect of the most powerful nation in the history of the world.
sarah palin is so ignorant she gave an interview while a man stood in the background slaughtering turkeys. while i have no problem with the slaughtering of turkeys, any politician with a shred of intelligence knows you don't give interviews in front of cameras while someone is slaughtering animals in the background.
sarah palin got called up to the majors, failed horribly and will now return to the minor leagues for the remainder of her political career. as i said before the election, her career arc will mirror that of geraldine ferraro. "
sarah palin is so ignorant she gave an interview while a man stood in the background slaughtering turkeys. while i have no problem with the slaughtering of turkeys, any politician with a shred of intelligence knows you don't give interviews in front of cameras while someone is slaughtering animals in the background.
sarah palin got called up to the majors, failed horribly and will now return to the minor leagues for the remainder of her political career. as i said before the election, her career arc will mirror that of geraldine ferraro. "
KC wrote on Nov 25, 2008 11:46 AM:
" "how can an intelligent, experienced, dedicated"
ummm, not even Republicans think she's this...
Although I do agree she should run for POTUS in 2012. Easy victory! "
ummm, not even Republicans think she's this...
Although I do agree she should run for POTUS in 2012. Easy victory! "
conservativeme wrote on Nov 25, 2008 12:12 PM:
" come on already, get off the Palin bashwagon....she was thrown into this by McCain in the first place. But then again, this will fade and we will have 4 long years of Biden bashing to look forward to. He is his own worst enemy when he talks.... "
(return of) joe wrote on Nov 25, 2008 1:10 PM:
" conservativeme...will it make you a proud American to know that you will bash Biden while our country is in two wars? While our troops will be in harm's way? While our enemies are being emboldened by enemies of America like yourself? I'm for this nation as one nation, not as two nations, divided by those who hate America and those, like me, who love America and prove it daily by the flag pin on their lapels and the flags flying in their yard. "
timbrackett wrote on Nov 25, 2008 1:20 PM:
" while mccain showed poor judgement in choosing palin as his running mate, the facts show she was not thrown into this by mccain but rather had been angling for a run on the presidential ticket.
and there is a difference between an intelligent person who mis-speaks (biden) and an un-intelligent person who cannot even answer a simple question like "what newspaper(s) do you read?" (palin). "
and there is a difference between an intelligent person who mis-speaks (biden) and an un-intelligent person who cannot even answer a simple question like "what newspaper(s) do you read?" (palin). "
4bikers wrote on Nov 25, 2008 3:27 PM:
" WOW! Count 'em three liberal biased peices being talked about on this site today. Who says media has a liberal bias? "
conservativeme wrote on Nov 25, 2008 4:11 PM:
" Oh man joe, that line is getting sooooo old. You need a new writer, this one is getting stale. "
conservativeme wrote on Nov 25, 2008 4:14 PM:
" Tim, that is not how I have read the stories. But I was more in the way of comparing an intelligent person that mis-speaks (bush) and an intelligent person that mis-speaks (biden)....but then I am sure that you guys will have a fun time with that one as well. Hey, whatever we can do to keep you entertained. : ) "
hetfield wrote on Nov 25, 2008 7:02 PM:
" uh cf. the liberals are already leading their minions to the welfare lines as we speak. thousands are being laid off due to b husseins kinging. billions if not trillions are being spent(borrowed) because of liberals wanting to tax more americans.
it is time for liberals to step aside and start their own little country in cuba or elsewhere, where their ideology fits into the current system. america is not a testing ground for socialism, gay marriage, abortion and welfare state. conservatism will prevail in the end. then you leftists will really be aup a creek, because you dont want ot work hard yourselves.
tough isnt it? eb, the national enquirer called and said if you keep working on your fiction they will have an opening. keep it up! "
it is time for liberals to step aside and start their own little country in cuba or elsewhere, where their ideology fits into the current system. america is not a testing ground for socialism, gay marriage, abortion and welfare state. conservatism will prevail in the end. then you leftists will really be aup a creek, because you dont want ot work hard yourselves.
tough isnt it? eb, the national enquirer called and said if you keep working on your fiction they will have an opening. keep it up! "
Oboy wrote on Nov 25, 2008 10:32 PM:
" hetfield, have you ever considered "starting your own little country in Cuba or elsewhere, where YOUR ideology fits? Just think you would not have to put up with Obama for the next 4 years and the Good old US of A might look great. "
timbrackett wrote on Nov 25, 2008 11:29 PM:
" ah, the argument to end all arguments. if you don't agree with me, move to another country.
that's what happens when ideology trumps country.
well, i'm not moving. i hope liberals don't move. i hope conservatives don't move. although i find myself disagreeing with my fellow citizens, i realize that it takes a wide spectrum of ideas to make this nation so great.
even the hetfields of the world who would suggest that i move because of my political beliefs or suggest that our horrible economy is the fault of a future president instead of the current president, even those people belong here in these united states of america--as much as i disagree with them. "
that's what happens when ideology trumps country.
well, i'm not moving. i hope liberals don't move. i hope conservatives don't move. although i find myself disagreeing with my fellow citizens, i realize that it takes a wide spectrum of ideas to make this nation so great.
even the hetfields of the world who would suggest that i move because of my political beliefs or suggest that our horrible economy is the fault of a future president instead of the current president, even those people belong here in these united states of america--as much as i disagree with them. "
timbrackett wrote on Nov 25, 2008 11:35 PM:
" conservativeme--it is my understanding that palin and her people engaged in a pr strategy to get her into the national spotlight during her early days as governor. this effort was largely in place so that she could either get on the ticket in '08 or run in '12. there's nothing wrong with that. all politicians must hold ambitions--it goes with the territory. my disagreement is that she was "thrown into" it by mccain and his people.
and i see your comparison now between bush/biden. it will be interesting. but here is something maybe you will agree with me on. quayle had all sorts of public gaffes, but many white house insiders from the first bush administration say he was one of the smartest men in that administration. i agree. i've always like dan quayle. don't agree with him on some issues obviously, but he is an intelligent man. and yes, he mis-spoke a couple of times. "
and i see your comparison now between bush/biden. it will be interesting. but here is something maybe you will agree with me on. quayle had all sorts of public gaffes, but many white house insiders from the first bush administration say he was one of the smartest men in that administration. i agree. i've always like dan quayle. don't agree with him on some issues obviously, but he is an intelligent man. and yes, he mis-spoke a couple of times. "
chester11 wrote on Nov 27, 2008 2:28 PM:
" I can't tell you how much it pleases me to hear "conservatives" wax on about sticking to their principles and changing nothing. They keep saying that Republicans lost because they catered to liberals. HAHA!
That's ridiculous and the very definition of delusional.
You ... lost because you run on social conservative platforms that cater to subtle hatred and intolerance. In a increasingly multi-cultural society. Keep doing that though. Thanks!
Also, your sad unrealistic notion positions such as progressive taxation automatically equals socialism failed miserably.
You also lost because near everything your most prominent elected officials tell other Americans not to do, they are doing themselves on the side.
You lost because people are sick of an idiot frat boy who you want to have a beer with, who mangles every sentence he speaks, and thinks God talks to him in the shower.
I've felt little need to post out here like I was in the election run-up. It's funny coming back though and seeing Hetfield still acting like he's making any points. With his two college degrees. LOL! In what exactly, dude? I don't know of any major where you can get a job sitting on a computer all day making misspelled, erroneous, contradictory posts at some newspaper's website 48 times a day.
You lost because conservatism, as practiced by it's most vocal proponents, is a flipping joke.
This country is not center-right. Feel free to leave when you finally figure that out. But of course you won't. You'll just sit and gripe like mental patients, as you fade into obscurity. "
That's ridiculous and the very definition of delusional.
You ... lost because you run on social conservative platforms that cater to subtle hatred and intolerance. In a increasingly multi-cultural society. Keep doing that though. Thanks!
Also, your sad unrealistic notion positions such as progressive taxation automatically equals socialism failed miserably.
You also lost because near everything your most prominent elected officials tell other Americans not to do, they are doing themselves on the side.
You lost because people are sick of an idiot frat boy who you want to have a beer with, who mangles every sentence he speaks, and thinks God talks to him in the shower.
I've felt little need to post out here like I was in the election run-up. It's funny coming back though and seeing Hetfield still acting like he's making any points. With his two college degrees. LOL! In what exactly, dude? I don't know of any major where you can get a job sitting on a computer all day making misspelled, erroneous, contradictory posts at some newspaper's website 48 times a day.
You lost because conservatism, as practiced by it's most vocal proponents, is a flipping joke.
This country is not center-right. Feel free to leave when you finally figure that out. But of course you won't. You'll just sit and gripe like mental patients, as you fade into obscurity. "
shouldbemayor wrote on Nov 28, 2008 2:53 AM:
" hatefilled wrote:
" uh cf. the liberals are already leading their minions to the welfare lines as we speak. thousands are being laid off due to b husseins kinging. billions if not trillions are being spent(borrowed) because of liberals wanting to tax more americans.
it is time for liberals to step aside and start their own little country in cuba or elsewhere, where their ideology fits into the current system. america is not a testing ground for socialism, gay marriage, abortion and welfare state. conservatism will prevail in the end. then you leftists will really be aup a creek, because you dont want ot work hard yourselves.
tough isnt it? eb, the national enquirer called and said if you keep working on your fiction they will have an opening. keep it up! "
Not a word of truth to any of it. Not one word. But we do know now that not only does Hatefilled listen to Hannity, he subscribes to the National Enquirerer, or at least he is on their call list. "
" uh cf. the liberals are already leading their minions to the welfare lines as we speak. thousands are being laid off due to b husseins kinging. billions if not trillions are being spent(borrowed) because of liberals wanting to tax more americans.
it is time for liberals to step aside and start their own little country in cuba or elsewhere, where their ideology fits into the current system. america is not a testing ground for socialism, gay marriage, abortion and welfare state. conservatism will prevail in the end. then you leftists will really be aup a creek, because you dont want ot work hard yourselves.
tough isnt it? eb, the national enquirer called and said if you keep working on your fiction they will have an opening. keep it up! "
Not a word of truth to any of it. Not one word. But we do know now that not only does Hatefilled listen to Hannity, he subscribes to the National Enquirerer, or at least he is on their call list. "
jeroze wrote on Nov 29, 2008 9:54 AM:
" To get rid of the moderate Republicans and the liberal Republicans to cleanse the Republican Party of all its failures and bring in a pure new conservative such as the neocons will mean that there are slim pickings. Afterall, the Project for New American Century has already been purged. (They even gave up paying for their web site in 2008)
Now if you get rid of the moderates and liberal Republicans, no one is left in the Republican Party Leadership except for the Palinist crowd.
Long live the Progressives. The people of the USA have been shown what the neoconic radicals will do for them....meltdown 2008. The people are smart enough not to put them into office again, That is a HOPE that I choose to believe in.
So you who would purge the Republican Party...name your leaders please. And tell us your platform. This should be good. "
Now if you get rid of the moderates and liberal Republicans, no one is left in the Republican Party Leadership except for the Palinist crowd.
Long live the Progressives. The people of the USA have been shown what the neoconic radicals will do for them....meltdown 2008. The people are smart enough not to put them into office again, That is a HOPE that I choose to believe in.
So you who would purge the Republican Party...name your leaders please. And tell us your platform. This should be good. "
think wrote on Nov 30, 2008 3:38 PM:
" Just look at what the Lug has done here. You have not seen anything yet. Taxes all the way. You fools have no idea that Bill Clinton just was elected for the third time by the people that can't tie a shoelace and write with a spray can.Obama now takes second to Clinton back in power by proxy. "
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hetfield wrote on Nov 23, 2008 9:03 PM:
Sarah Palin can reshape the future of the party. I bet as a liberal woman, you hate that idea. how can an intelligent, experienced, dedicated, woman be a conservative? and did I mention beautiful? that is a given on the right. The left? not so much. Reno, clinton, pelosi, now michelle. yikes!
Dont worry EB, you will find your place in the liberal news rags of a socialist america until then.
good luck after that however. "