Are 'tone-deaf' Republicans ignoring mainstream voters?
GOP candidates are focusing almost exclusively on ultra-conservative talking points, potentially alienating the independents they desperately need to beat Obama
In a "fiercely combative" debate Wednesday night, the four remaining GOP presidential candidates zealously touted their conservative bona fides, focusing on far-right favorites like immigration, abortion, and earmarks. Meanwhile, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, and Ron Paul barely discussed the lackluster economy, which most voters consider to be the most pressing issue facing the country. The debate reportedly left some Republicans worried that focusing on the fringes could undermine the party, which needs an inclusive message to appeal to independent voters in November. Did the debate hurt the GOP's chances against President Obama?
The GOP is crippling itself with Hispanics and women: The GOP is increasingly "talking to itself," say John F. Harris and Jonathan Martin at Politico, and candidates are slipping into "tone-deafness." Romney, for example, strongly praised Arizona's controversial immigration law — an applause line with Republicans, but a loser with Hispanics, who comprise the country's fastest-growing voting bloc. And the candidates' "extended back and forth on contraception" could turn off "independent suburban women," another crucial voting demographic.
"GOP fears rise over 2012 tone, message"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Huh? Candidates should offer more conservative red meat: Sadly, Wednesday's debate was run by the mainstream media for a mainstream audience, "not by the GOP for GOP voters," says Hugh Hewitt at his blog. Conservatives want to hear GOP candidates talk about "the president's dismal record" on bankrupt green energy giant Solyndra, the "Fast and Furious" gun-running debacle, recess appointments, and other issues important to the Right. If anything, these debates aren't conservative enough.
"The debate and a reply to Conor Friedersdorf re Mark Levin"
Let's face it — conservatives have hijacked the party: The GOP's problems are much deeper than focus and messaging, says Booman Tribune. The real issues "stem from an increasingly unpopular agenda." Many of the conservative activists deciding the GOP primaries want to eliminate entitlement programs, criminalize abortion, ignore climate change, and essentially return America to the 1950s. Most mainstream Americans "want no part of their actual agenda." It's no wonder the GOP establishment is concerned.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Xi-Biden meeting: what's in it for both leaders?
Today's Big Question Two superpowers seek to stabilise relations amid global turmoil but core issues of security, trade and Taiwan remain
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published