The GOP's rebranding: Can Republicans take the Senate in 2014?
The party's big autopsy report concluded with recommendations for the 2016 presidential race, but the midterms are right around the corner
The GOP has conducted an "autopsy" of its 2012 election failures, and come up with a comeback plan. One thing Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus wants to do is to shorten the party's primary process, so that the next Republican presidential nominee doesn't have to take an extended pounding like the one that weakened Mitt Romney before last year's general election campaign. But the GOP has a more immediate test looming — the 2014 midterms, when Republicans can regain control of the Senate if they pick up six seats. Can the party turn the tables that fast?
The report's technical recommendations certainly could have an "immediate effect on 2014," says Joshua Miller at Roll Call. "For many GOP campaigns in 2012, polling proved to be an Achilles' heel," with inaccurate late surveys causing some candidates to squander resources in the final days before election day. The report suggests taking a look at errors 2012 pollsters made in determining who would and would not be a likely voter. By making changes, such as requiring Republican polls to include a minimum number of voters who only use cell phones, will give GOP candidates a better picture of the public mood, which will help their campaigns craft their messages more effectively.
Republicans are doing a lot of soul-searching to figure out "how to repair the GOP's problems," says Greg Sargent at The Washington Post, but their plan to rebrand themselves as a kinder, gentler party won't be enough to lure young people, minorities, and gay voters away from the Democrats. That will take actual policy changes that appeal to these more socially liberal constituencies, instead of focusing on the priorities of the "culturally conservative downscale white voters" on whom the GOP is becoming "overly reliant."
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.
Actually, the Cook Political Report's Amy Walter tells the National Association of Realtors, 2014 is a golden opportunity for Republicans. Democrats will have to hold seats in seven states won by Mitt Romney last year. Also, midterms can often be tough for the party of an incumbent president, and the minority and young voters Democrats rely on, and the GOP is trying to woo, typically don't turn out as much for midterms. That means that 2014 could spell a momentum shift toward the GOP no matter what. "It's going to be a lot of defense for the Democrats [next] year," Walter says.
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
Harold Maass is a contributing editor at The Week. He has been writing for The Week since the 2001 debut of the U.S. print edition and served as editor of TheWeek.com when it launched in 2008. Harold started his career as a newspaper reporter in South Florida and Haiti. He has previously worked for a variety of news outlets, including The Miami Herald, ABC News and Fox News, and for several years wrote a daily roundup of financial news for The Week and Yahoo Finance.
-
Why more and more adults are reaching for soft toys
Under The Radar Does the popularity of the Squishmallow show Gen Z are 'scared to grow up'?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Magazine solutions - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
By The Week US Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published