The rage of innocents
To end its losing streak, Washington's GOP should adopt the old Ronald Reagan strategy and think young.
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A document written by UW's Collegiate Republicans noted that Democrats were better organized and resourced, especially from a technological standpoint. The Democrats provided UW students with a hotel room equipped with high tech phones, a set-up that completely outmatched the Republican phone-calling capacity.
A source familiar with the GOP's national campaign organization told Crosscut that there is a group of underlings in national headquarters who are interested in technology but that the party's leadership doesn’t really get it.
“They know they need to infuse technology into campaigns,” says the source, “but they are not yet in positions of authority to really make the budget shifts.”
The former Republican operative added that “campaign cycles and tech cycles always overlap so we can’t afford to go into lulls in between elections. This is the timeframe where we should be doubling down on technology (for the next cycle).”
“How can you win elections if you are not providing volunteers with the right tools?” asked one UW student, giving voice to a common complaint among young Republicans.
GOP strategist and McKenna for Governor campaign director Randy Pepple feels their pain. After all, it doesn’t seem like that many years ago when he was one of them.
“What attracted me (to the party) was foreign policy,” said Pepple. “I was an anti-Communist. I was more focused on the foreign policy journals.”
Throughout the campaign, Pepple worked closely with young interns and volunteers. “There is a conservation ethic, more moderate and more libertarian,” he said. “They see the importance of trade, higher education and economic development. Education is an area where we can make headway.”
He agrees that “you don’t admit your Republican in certain circles and we need to change that. We need to spend more time asking what does it mean to be a Northwest Republican. We couldn’t overcome the negativity of the national brand.”
As young Republicans return to college campuses and to entry-level jobs, the sting of losing has abated and there is a sense of optimism. Ah, youth.
Kyle Curtis said that the UW College Republican online listerv and Facebook friends are growing. Meetings are becoming larger and more lively, recruitment strategies more refined.
The final line of the College Republican brainstorm is a message, in ALL CAPS, that reads like a scream to party elders: “REACH OUT TO THE YOUTH.”
If GOP leaders are smart, they'll listen.
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Comments:
Posted Thu, Jan 10, 8:11 a.m. Inappropriate
I think a big difference between conservative youth and liberal youth is in the expectations associated with their advocacy. Conservative youth see their activisms as independent, outside government. Liberal youth see their activisms as more inside. Liberal activists anticipate paid positions - be it in government or in a "non-profit" - as follow up to a period of activism that amounts to internship. For very many, what seems like public service, hides a self-service; an expectation that - if I march as a good foot soldier - the Party will reward me with a paid position. For very many, this has proven the case. Thus the growth of government and the EXPLOSION of "non-profits".
I also think very many young people are put off by the proselytizing of the left. Young people have rebellious streaks. The left - as represented by their unionized school teachers - teaches buzzwords and mantras. Critical thinking is discouraged; issues are pushed with slogans and opposition is countered with same. Question liberal authority and one is a racist, a homophobe, a sexist, pick a name. I think many young people are beginning to stand up to this intellectual bullying. Those that simply parrot The Party will be seen as the weak, group-dependent. Those that aspire to intellectual independence will despise the buzzword mind trap and - likely - those who submit to it most vocally.
Posted Sun, Jan 13, 1:44 p.m. Inappropriate
I attended high school in the late 70s, and already the liberal baby-boomer hippie generation was looked upon by most of my friends and acquaintances as the "establishment." To a large extent, we rebelled against them, "The Granolas". But we weren't conservatives. By and large we were, and still are, libertarians. A pox on both their houses was our philosophy. But we grew up in what was still largely a rural area (although it was showing signs of suburban gentrification with the tremendous influx of Californians). In many urban zones, especially Seattle, that leftist establishment is still the establishment, calcified and sclerotic though it may be.
Posted Thu, Jan 10, 12:25 p.m. Inappropriate
Even if the Republican Party put aside its focus on social issues like abortion and same-sex marriage, many younger voters still would be put off by the party's other policy positions -- anti-immigration, big military, security surveillance, lower taxes on the rich, no health care security, reduction in education funding, opposition to climate change actions, opposition to protections against discrimination for women, gays, and minorities, etc. etc. etc. The bottom line is that the party needs to change its fundamental positions, not just the rhetoric.
Posted Thu, Jan 10, 9:59 p.m. Inappropriate
The far-sighted Ronald Reagan expressed his solidarity with young folk by pioneering the practice of dying his hair orange -- long before it became the popular rage. Not aware of any tattoos or piercings, though.
Posted Thu, Jan 10, 10:48 p.m. Inappropriate
Furgit it, see? Ain't gonna reed it, see?
An rytin stuf iz an evun dummer thing ta do, see?
Yor librul idears ain't no good for nuthin, seeea?
De-mock-crazy librulizm ain't no good, seeez?
Yew an yur guvrnmint so an so Beez.
Furee Markits an coughie pleez.
Tee hee.
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