GOP Turns To Howard Dean For Salvation

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, in politics and elsewhere. And after two straight cycles of congressional pickups, outgoing DNC chair Howard Dean is no longer a boogeyman for his Republican counterparts -- he's a template for success.

This past weekend, a candidate for RNC Chair, Michigan Republican Party Chair Saul Anuzi, said the Grand Old Party would do well to follow the example set by the former Vermont Governor.

"There is a perception that we are a regional party and that we are a party from the South because that's the region we're consistently winning today," Anuzis told Politico. "I do think we need to have our version of the 50-state program that [Democratic National Committee Chair Howard] Dean had."

This prescription came days after Karl Rove, the architect of the current Republican Party, made a similar plea of his own. Noting incredible margins that Barack Obama had among black and Latino voters, the former Bush strategist -- appearing at a debate on the Bush legacy in New York -- said the GOP had to "be a party governing all Americans... It can only do that by making the case to African American and Latinos."

Implicit within these critiques is the notion that Republicans have become regionalized -- overly reliant on strong turnout among white working class voters, primarily below the Mason-Dixon line. In this context, Dean's vision of building infrastructure across the electoral map -- which, it should be noted, was initially taken from the GOP -- makes sense for the current Republican Party. Why cede the entire New England House delegation when, at the very least, they could force the DCCC to spend resources defending those seats?

But the sticking point, as one DNC staffer argues, is ideology. Putting together institutions to make gains in non-Republican regions only will help if the party has a political message that can resonate among non-conservatives.

"By relying on wedge issues to win, they've used issues to divide people and worked to appeal to an increasingly smaller group of people," said the aide. "Dean's point has not just been that we need to show up in all 50-states but also that as a party we need to ask people for their votes, listen to what they have to say and be willing to work to solve issues in areas where we have common ground, even if we don't agree with everything."

Part of that is simply showing up. The leading Republican presidential candidates this cycle famously shunned an African-American themed debate, much to the chagrin of moderates like Jack Kemp, who worried that the party had become too country club. The handling of immigration reform and other related issues, meanwhile, has led students of the political process -- like NDN Simon's Rosenberg -- to seriously consider the idea that Democrats will have a generational lock on the growing minority vote.

Finally, there is the age gap. Rove, appearing in New York, lamented the fact that young voters had abandoned the Republican Party, many driven by anger towards the Iraq War. This may be true, but it is also incomplete. The problem, the DNC aide said, is more systemic.

"Look at the voting habits of under 30 voters," she said. "they are more multicultural and less partisan, they want to be inspired, not lectured to and not manipulated in the way that Rove has used "anger points" to manipulate voters. Those voters are the future of our party, and the GOP doesn't seem to be speaking to them at all. So just because they show up in all 50 states, if they don't understand the voters they are trying to reach, it won't improve their electoral chances."

Comments

[one4obama]

Oh, those GOPers are such flatterers!! They now see the errors of their ways and wish to use the Dems as an example to restore their faltering party.

And once they regain their party strength, what do you think they will then do?

Revert back to their old ways. Old habits die hard.

[kasinca]

There was once a Whig party and they went the same way that the Republican party went. They are a thing of the past.

[drvck70]

Nice to know you hold Abe in such high regard

[BWonka]

So the GOP is turning to Dr. Dean? You mean he is a closeted homosexual like so many in the party of hypocrisy?

The GOP is irrelevant and should remain so.

[Ramirez]

You stay classy, Wonka.

[StuartH]

The key to the success of Howard Dean's example was not in the mechanics of it. He called for taking back the Democratic Party, which is what people responded to that made his campaign for President nearly succeed. This meant looking honestly at the craven calculators who led the Party to pander to the campaign contributors with the most money, the special interests.

That grass roots Democrats renewed the community organizing tradition of the FDR, Truman, JFK and Johnson era in response to both the takeover of the Democratic Party and the Nation's capitol by the special interests is really the achievement that Dean represents.

The Republican Party was never a grass roots party, only a sham at it. My parents were in the mold of the "cloth coat" that Pat Nixon wore. They believed in a sort of conservatism that was never real. The imagery that kept the myth alive was dependent on mechanisms that can't compete in the internet era.

The interesting question, therefore, is what Republican Party are these people talking about? We may be seeing the birth of something new, which will have to rise from rejecting white racism, fundamentalist extremism and big business oligarchy. Given the ferocious tenacity of these particular groups, that would not seem to be likely any time soon.

[ErnestineBass]

Well said!

[JonathanStuartLeibowitz]

"something new, which will have to rise from rejecting white racism, fundamentalist extremism and big business oligarchy"

So you're asking the GOP to basically reject everything they are. They're not gonna be happy about that ;-)

No seriously, I agree with that, but could you elaborate a bit on "They believed in a sort of conservatism that was never real. The imagery that kept the myth alive was dependent on mechanisms that can't compete in the internet era" ?

What was that conservatism (as opposed to a conservatism which would meet the standard of "reality", and what was its imagery?

[DontJustFollow]

really really well said - the party of your parents though is changing quickly. McCain was old and looked like that party, but down deep he was a step in the right direction for the republicans.

The dems harnessed the internet like no one ever thought possible, they also ran a guy that everyone under the age of 50 could see themself hanging out with. It became very cool to vote for Obama and record numbers of kids did. Can you remember when Puff Diddy tried to "rock the vote" for Kerry? Lots of fun parties to hook up at, but only 3-4% better turn out in college students- not this time.

Watch for a new young hip guy to run against Obama. Conservatism isn't dead, only the people that were programming it were.

[ErnestineBass]

"Watch for a new young hip guy to run against Obama."

A "Bob Roberts" type, perhaps?

[JonathanStuartLeibowitz]

"Conservatism isn't dead, only the people that were programming it were."

That's the argument conservatives make, right? I think it's flawed, since it in essence suggests that the current standard bearers of conservatism have a) messed the "real deal" up and b) had a "communication problem" in this election, and a return to real conservatism, whatever that is, means salvation. I think that's simply a wrong diagnosis on their part. The Buckley breed or whatever that real conservatism is, I think nowadays is simply on the wrong side of history, for many reasons.

[strawberryjulius]

Obama isn't particularly hip. But the people who supported him were. And yes, they did support Kerry in 2004, but you could feel that their passion wasn't so much for Kerry as it was Anti-Bush. The GOP could put up what they think is a hip candidate, but without the support of artists that are popular with young people, especially minorities, the youth vote will show up for Obama again.

Unless the GOP is going nominate one of the Jonas Brothers as VP they don't have a prayer.

[StillIRise]

Good post. It does make one wonder how a racist, intolerant, fundamentalist, screw-the-middle-class, homophobic, big-business, war-for-profit party can disguise themselves as something other than what they are!

[chalo]

Of course: strategy isn't the the only problem; IDEOLOGY is the issue! If you're backward and antediluvian and essentially practicing modern-day feudalism, none of Howard Dean's strategy is going to work. Keep up the good work, you GOP knuckle-dragging clowns!!

[Cesaria]

I don't know, simply going about making a web site to copy Obama's, or now thinking about imitating Dean isn't as easy as just saying it. The message counts as well and for a long time it seems like the Republicans were happy being a party of a select few, weren't interested in anybody except those who thought and looked just like them. Their message isn't working and coming up with a pretty package won't change that.

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

A pretty package is what they thought they had in Palin........didn't work out quite as well as they hoped!

[StillIRise]

A pretty package is all they know. This not only accounts for their attraction to Palin, but also to Jindhal and now the new Asian governor of Louisiana - why they had black performers at their all white Republican convention in 2000 or put that crazy black man in the front row at McCain's townhall meetings ...

Republicans still don't get it! They think if the package is pretty enough, we won't care about what's on the inside. What's that saying: "Fool me once ..."

[Cesaria]

So true. Which is another sign that they simply don't get it and that Eureka moment won't be coming anytime soon.

[Whatashame]

The GOP is the party of WHITE OLD southern people.

[ErnestineBass]

Utah is in the south? Who knew?

[TexasDem0]

Not all of us old, white southern people support the GOP.
It is no longer a political party, but a criminal organization.

[FirstShirt]

Long ago Rove insisted on a 50 state plan for elections and it worked. Then Dean showed how you can raise enormous amounts of money online. And, republicans got alot of the hispanic votes for both Bushes.

Now the republicans face a new generation but history has shown the american electorate will swing both ways depending on the candidate. In our state, Obama won the state but the republican incumbent governor easily won as did all republican stakeholders and every republican incumbent.

Message: Don't get cocky.

[one4obama]

Perhaps your message should be that your state chose, not by party, but by the best man running for the job.

Too bad party die-hards don't get this message. They just remain stuck in party mode.

[qdog112]

Message:

GET THE SMUCK OUTTA HERE TR0LL!

[DontJustFollow]

why are republicans always treated like minorities at a KKK rally with so many of you progressives?

[yankeeinoxford]

I think you are right to advise us not to get cocky. I would point out though, that this article makes a number of good points. The GOP is quickly reaching irrelevancy for us under 30s. My father was a republican, but this is not the same republican party he used to enthusiastically endorse. For the younger generation we are less concerned with issues like abortion and gun rights. We are not interested in amending the constitution to ban homosexuality and we are not enthusiastic about the marriage of the GOP and religion. The GOP would do well to remember that it is going to need the younger generation at some point, and you will only win OUR support when you run on a platform that speaks to our concerns. As of right now, the GOP doesn't have a cohesive message, but the disparate parts of the message seem to be wedge issues and ramming religion down our throats. They continue this approach at their peril! Oh yes, and someone needs to tell the GOP that given more under 30s are going to college than ever before (although this will definitely change with the financial crisis), it is probably not a good idea to tout yourself as the anti-intellectual party. As a lot of us are educated, we lose respect for those who foolishly conflate education with elitism.

[eugenegerard]

It is the party of "moral elitism" without the morallity. It is a walking talking lie. They talk the talk but shove a knife in your back while doing it. They have bankrupted this country and are responsible for the deaths of thousands. Screw Republicans.

[DontJustFollow]

Obama won on a lot of promises that everyone wanted to believe (change?) but in reality most knew were impossible. But he did touch the nerve that is in most Americans and that is HOPE. There won't be checks in the mail, the rich will not get taxed more, the enviroment will have to wait, and Iraq will be dealt with as soon as it is wise -

All these are McCain campaign positions but because Obama looks and sounds more like a friend than a father / boss, he will make it easy to accept.

The republicans will not come back with an old white war veteran. They will come back with a new younger "we can do it" guy. Obama has shown it is OK to be hip and run for President and if it works, he needs to stay on for the next 8 years. If it doesn't the reps will be ready with a guy that makes it cool to vote for.

The world is moving too fast for old guys - keep them around as advisors (as Obama is wisely doing), but this country needs some fresh young energy to keep it moving forward.

As far as knives in the back and screw the republicans - dude, you sound like the nut jobs that call into Michael Savage's radio show... go back to the video games in your room in your moms basement and let the rest of us contribute something positive. Your attitude is

[JonathanStuartLeibowitz]

Agree in part. However, as you're basically making the makeover argument (come up with a fresh face who can send emails and has a habit of speaking fluent English), you're arguing that it would be enough for Republicans to come up with their own Obama?

I don't think so. For many reasons, but first and foremost because because the basic elements of their platform have become unattractive to significant majorities, which would be a consequence of this very agenda. Yes, Obama did touch a nerve. And part of that is not only the flashy notion of "Hope" but that he successfully showed up that this agenda (at least the economic part) doesn't operate toward a thriving society. There's more to it that image.

[Peter007]

Republicans need to kick out the evangelicals and bring in the Ron Paul freaks.
Bush brought the bible belters to the party and now they won't let anyone get high any more.
Time for them to go.

[BlackYowe]

You are right the only one who could bring the GOP to heal would be Ron Paul!

[bitterindependent]

good point, but the karl rove types can't control and manipulate ron paul like they did mccain....

[VOTER]

Actually Reagan brought them to the GOP, Bush just continued to use them.
However, until MODERATE REPUBLICANS take back their Party which means
getting rid of the old far-righters, like Chambliss, Newt, et al, this Party is more than wounded.

It is a BAD JOKE.

[one4obama]

What a farce - Bush (the truest form of a sinner) conned by the evangelicals.

Doesn't that mean that the evangelicals are sheep being led around by the ring in their noses?

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

"There is a perception that we are a regional party and that we are a party from the South because that's the region we're consistently winning today,"

The first step in recovery is admitting what you are, Blanche.

[friscosf]

Let's see how the GOP's '50 strategy' works in Michigan

They're trying to sabotage the Auto bail out and kill the UAW
I'll bet they really appreciate that in Michigan and Ohio

Will Bush appoint Karl Rove as the Auto Czar ?
How about Sarah Palin ??

[marinade]

Rove "said the GOP had to "be a party governing all Americans... ""

The Republican party only wants to brand itself this way. "Promise, cross my heart, we're for ALL Americans, not just big business."

Good luck selling that one, party of no credibility.

[ErnestineBass]

LOL!

Rove is tainted goods, and until the GOP LOUDLY and PUBLICLY repudiates his sleazy tactics and kicks his fatass to the curb, they'll NEVER win another national election.

ARE YOU LISTENING GOPers???

[DontJustFollow]

let me understand - until republicans rediscover themselves as democrats, they will never win another election?

if it is the rich white republicans you are all depending on to pay for all the programs and tax breaks Obama promised you in his campaign, you may want to be nicer to them.

It sounds a lot like the whiney little kid that kicks his uncle in the shin and then complains to his momma that he didn't get a big enough christmas present from that uncle...

[jacqmac]

A Republican 'version' of the 50-state strategy will be a very CHEAP imitation of the REAL THING. It will be the same structure with a new coat of paint and maybe a couple of patches here and there. It will probably cost MORE to do the upkeep than to tear down to the foundations and rebuild. Unfortunately, the RNC seems to believe the opposite. They keep patching and repatching, painting and repainting and STILL, the tackiness of the structure 'shines through.' Getting a Republican 'version' of the 50-state strategy also entails SHUTTING UP, GOING AWAY, and RETHINKING certain treasured philosophical stances. Until that happens, they are nothing but sore losers and whiners.

[Ugonna]

WOW. They're finally getting an inkling of what should have been done! An inkling.