GOP should use time in ‘wilderness’ to retool
OUR VIEWS Republican challenge

The Oklahoman Editorial

Published: November 9, 2008

AS national Republicans head off to the political wilderness following last week’s election, they should take some things along that could help them emerge from the thicket.

Start with exit polling data. The New York Times reports Democrat Barack Obama topped Republican John McCain among women by 13 points — the second-largest gender gap since 1980.

Obama won narrowly among men, the newspaper said, but his share was the highest of any Democrat in the past eight presidential elections. He won 96 percent of the black vote, two-thirds of Hispanics and two-thirds of voters ages 18 to 29.

Republicans also could go over data on the issues.

Not surprisingly, more than 60 percent of voters said the economy was their No. 1 issue, and throughout the campaign they felt Obama would manage it better. Tellingly, with a proposal to provide middle-class tax relief, the Democrat was seen as a tax-cutter — quite a feat for one of the U.S. Senate’s most liberal members.

Both points suggest the soul-searching and leadership-filling exercises congressional Republicans conduct before Obama’s inauguration should include developing strategies that recognize an evolving and more involved electorate, as well as an agenda that more clearly addresses national concerns.

There’s no reason the GOP can’t speak to the concerns of groups that voted overwhelmingly for Obama. Many blacks and Hispanics are culturally conservative. Yet the perception that Republicans are anti-immigrant — notwithstanding the leadership of President Bush and McCain on comprehensive immigration legislation — must change or the party will see the rapidly growing segment of the population grow in its loyalty to the Democrats.

Young people need not be consigned to the other party. Republican positions on taxes, health care reform and individual responsibility can resonate with people starting their careers and families.

A sharpened message needs messengers, and Republicans in Washington and elsewhere should shuffle the deck. There should be opportunities for fresh ideas and fresh faces to deliver them. Reps. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, Jeff Flake of Arizona and Eric Cantor of Virginia are three examples in Congress. Beyond Washington’s beltway, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is another.

In the near future, the GOP’s chances will depend in part on the new Obama administration. Its policy choices will invite constructive conservative contributions.

While Americans’ desire for action and impatience with hyper-partisanship shouldn’t be underestimated, there also will be occasions for principled opposition — and especially alternative proposals.

Both will work toward the betterment of the country and ultimately, will be rewarded by renewed trust from the American people.

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