What Republicans must do to win back voter support
By Rob Portman
Rob Portman is a former congressman from Ohio's 2nd District and former budget director and U.S. trade representative under President Bush.
President-elect Obama's victory and the significant Democrat gains in Congress have touched off a debate in the Republican Party about why we lost and where we go from here. Some advocate stricter adherence to conservative values, while others urge that the party reach out to the political middle. The answer lies in doing both.
The renewal of the Republican Party starts with an embrace of the core principles of fiscal conservatism, smaller government, traditional values, personal responsibility and ethics, not just when we campaign, but when we govern.
But adherence to these core principles is only a starting point. The key to success is turning these principles into compelling policy solutions to real-world concerns.
There is an understandable nostalgia in the Republican Party for Ronald Reagan. He grew the party and was a popular president while staying true to core values. But I believe we sometimes overlook what made him successful.
Based on core conservative beliefs, he fashioned innovative, and ultimately successful, solutions to seemingly intractable challenges of his time: a dysfunctional welfare system, the Cold War, stagflation from the Carter years, and increased levels of violent crime, among others.
And he effectively communicated his policies in a way that resonated with the American people. His simple and clear explanations, his relentless optimism about America, and his focus on results, not partisan advantage, allowed him to reach beyond the Republican Party to garner support.
We must do the same thing.
Today's Republican leaders need to develop innovative solutions to the challenges of our time, especially domestic issues, including: rising health care costs, dependence on foreign oil, stagnant middle-class wages and job loss, environmental concerns, the federal debt and unsustainable growth of entitlements. Instead of bigger government and more bureaucracy, Republicans must offer common-sense reforms that reward innovation and hard work, encourage personal responsibility, and harness market forces to help solve problems.
Just saying we are for smaller government is not enough. People want to hear what we have to offer about their concerns, and they want and deserve not just a smaller government, but a more responsive and competent government that uses modern technology to increase efficiency and improve services.
Beyond that, we must put more focus on effectively communicating our policies. Americans are looking for practical answers explained in simple terms, not general theories or partisan posturing. They want to know how proposals will impact their jobs, health care, their ability to stay in their homes and the future for their families. And they will reward those who seek results above political advantage. They will also reward hopeful leaders like Reagan.
Republicans must also make better use of the technology of the 21st century, an area where the Obama campaign broke new ground this year. The Internet allows a healthy exchange of ideas and is networking people in unprecedented ways. The solutions to modern-day problems must be communicated in a modern-day style.
In 2006, the election losses were a wakeup call not heard. We must now listen to the cry for change expressed in the 2008 results, and offer reforms that are true to our principles and address real world problems people care about. If we do these things, a Republican renewal will follow. |
