September 25, 2009 08:18 PM UTC

A perspective on the GOP's challenges

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• by: Automaticftp

( – promoted by Colorado Pols)

I think the real problem for the GOP is that they have not undergone the kind of self-questioning and reflection they needed to, particularly after the 2008 elections. Rather than face the problems of the two prior election cycles, they have returned to the same types of statements and positions that put them where they are, and have missed, in my view, a golden opportunity to redefine what the GOP in Colorado is all about.

The base of the GOP continues to be white, and the party has alienated large segments of the Hispanic community, which is the fastest growing community in the state. The GOP also appears to have long since written off other minority groups.

Rather than try to adapt GOP principles to the change in the voting population, the GOP appears to continue to insist that the voting population change their views and principles. It doesn’t work that way, and until the GOP can adapt to that reality, in a political environment that changes rapidly, I don’t think they will be successful electorally statewide outside of unusual circumstances.  

To be sure, part of the problem is systemic, and is faced by Democrats as well–vide the state budget problems over which so much virtual ink has been spilled.  But when I look over the candidates that have either announced or appear to be on the verge of announcing, and read and hear what they are saying, it really does come across to me as more of the same–it’s just different names saying it.

What I find most puzzling is that the GOP (at both the state and national level) seems not only unaware of how or what to change to, but that change is required at all.  

While I’m sure the GOP doesn’t need my help, I think there are a couple of things they could do to improve their image and prospects.  First, they should back off of the extreme social conservatism they appear to me to espouse.  For example, they don’t need to come out and announce they support same-sex marriage, but they should back off of it as a major issue.  Second, they need to stop being the party of “no.”  I have written to several GOP legislators and asked what they believe we should do, and invariably receive a canned response that we need to lower taxes, cut spending, etc.  Nor do I hear of any innovative ideas to move forward.  Third, the GOP should work to become more inclusive.  As a start, they could back away from overcharged rhetoric and simply present facts (amazing how powerful facts are!) and let people draw their own conclusions from them.  That is essentially what the Democrats have done–and it works.  

All that said, I should be a classic GOP voter, based on background, veteran status, education, etc.  However, the likelihood of my voting for a GOP candidate is slim and none–and slim just left town.  That’s true, in part, because of the GOP position on abortion (or reproductive choice, if you prefer that term), contrasted with their stated desire to get government out of peoples’ lives.  Sorry, that doesn’t compute with me.  Nor does their hysteria over same-sex marriage and gay rights in general (no, before anyone asks, I’m not gay).  There may be a dumber reason to discriminate against someone, but I have yet to hear it.  

Overall, I think the GOP has an uphill battle–and rather than learn from the mistakes of the past, they seem committed to repeating them.