Prescott Bush Dinner and What Ails the GOP
May 21st, 2013 by Peter
Yes, I was there. I arrived just in time to share an elevator with Linda McMahon. Awkward.
But let’s talk about Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s speech to the CT GOP and what it means for the Republican Party.
Scott Walker told the CT GOP last night that it could win by “empowering people to take control of their own lives.”
Bill Clinton told the 2012 Democratic convention “We believe that ‘we’re all in this together’ is a far better philosophy than ‘you’re on your own.”
True, in the Democrats’ statist vision, “we’re all in this together” means government, “the only thing we all belong to.” But without a competing Republican vision of “we’re all in this together” – one that emphasizes family and community rather than government – Clinton’s message will trump Walker’s.
This is what ails the GOP. It’s lackluster performance on cultural flashpoints – marriage, life – are symptoms of this deeper problem.
Americans are not just potential business owners, job holders or possessors of 401k’s. We are parents, neighbors, parishioners, citizens. If the GOP does not address the anxiety voters feel in these roles, they will vote Democrat.
And yes, I know Walker is a winner in Wisconsin. I’m not critiquing his governorship. I’m critiquing the hole at the center of the speech he gave to the CT GOP last night.
Well said Peter. As with Reagan, this party needs to accommodate all Republicans and do a better job of incorporating the ” big tent ” philosophy.
That being said, Reagan never ever deviated from the core values of what it what it meant to be a Republican . Faith in family, faith in ourselves, and faith in God.
FYI TOLLAND-WILLINGTON-ASHFORD
State Rep. Bryan Hurlburt of the Tolland area has been an antagonist of the pro-family movement for the past decade in the general assembly.
He recently resigned. Special election on June 11 to replace him. Here are the 2 candidates:
GOP Sam Belsito
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sam-Belsito-for-State-Representative/449534348472717
Dem Tony Horn
https://www.facebook.com/TonyHornForStateRepresentative/info
Potential opportunity to elect an ally.
I love the community message and I agree it’s just what the doctor ordered for the GOP. The social conservative coalition is definitely best equipped to carry the torch on this. It’s time for sensible education reform and a compassionate approach to immigration reform. (AND fixing the economy.) Romney was no help on this, and with all due respect, did not deserve your endorsement.