GOP Must Re-Learn Campaign Techniques

[Crabtownboy]

This was written by a conservative Republican ... is anyone listening?

Republican insiders don’t actually know how to run successful political campaigns. But conservatives don’t know how to run campaigns effectively, either. The two sides need to stop accusing each other, and start (re)learning how to win elections.As a result, Republican elites want to tell us which candidates are “electable.” But they have no idea. They don’t know. A greater proportion of establishment-backed candidates lose contested general elections than do conservatives, particularly if you subtract the factor of insiders sabotaging conservatives. Elites cannot make valid predictions because they have forgotten how political campaigns actually work.

One cause is that decades ago the GOP abandoned proven campaign techniques for the more ‘modern’ concept of an ‘air war,’ in which money buys TV ads. The ridiculous idea that you can win an election without leaving your desk was born. Consultants who make money from commissions on advertising buys convinced gullible Republican insiders that tons of money could win without doing any hard work. The experiment was a catastrophe. The GOP’s infrastructure in the grassroots fell into disrepair. The Party forgot how to run real campaigns.

http://www.americanthinker.com/2014/04/gop_must_relearn_campaign_techniques.html

 

[InTheLight]

This was written by a conservative Republican ... is anyone listening?

I hope so. The Democrats are so much better than the Republicans at the campaign game, it's pathetic.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Usually I like what Moseley writes, but he's way off base here.

It isn't that "Republican insiders" don't know who is electable, it is that "Republican insiders" are nothing more than leeches on the system, entrenched in their positions and sold out to keeping their jobs, not actually helping the party refocus itself. Chances are, if Tea Party candidates are elected -- and eventually, despite both Republican and Democratic Party establishments trying desperately to stifle them, they will be elected -- the "Republican Insiders" will be out of a job, because they, as much as anyone, have helped to maintain a status quo that is stagnant, out of touch, and dedicated exclusively to Republican "headliners" keeping their jobs.

That is what needs to change. The public isn't going to buy "status quo" anymore.

 

[exscentric]

Not the way they campaign, it is that they have no message that the people want to hear. I've said for several cycles that if they would figure out who/what they are and state their belief the people will accept or reject it.

A good clear conservative message would bring people from all parts but when you are trying to be everything to everyone you have no message.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Not the way they campaign, it is that they have no message that the people want to hear.

I disagree. The Tea Party message is one that is beginning to resonate with the American electorate. But the Republican establishment doesn't want to surrender its power and prestige to the new breed. They must. That new breed is the country's best hope.

 

[exscentric]

Disagree if you like, but the Republican base, I believe, have the same feelings as the tea party - take a message like that and the republican base will be out and running - they haven't heard that message, they have heard a message similar to the Democrats and want none of it.