Political Hay
Not So Fast, Karl Rove!
First of all, ambitious Republicans should set their sights on state and local races.
In his final op-ed piece of 2009 for the Wall Street Journal, Karl Rove, former top aide to President George W. Bush, had a message for the young and talented in the Republican Party. “Ambitious Republicans should resolve to run” read the subtitle of his piece. We agree. Now is the time for Republicans who can seek office to do so. But Rove urged capable Republicans to run at the federal level. Actually, the most critical need now, particularly for political newcomers, could be to seek office at the lower levels — particularly state legislatures.
Redistricting
Why? Because
it’s 2010. That means a new census and new district lines at the
federal, state, and local levels.
In 36 states, the party that controls the state legislature
drafts the redistricting plans. The party in control can lock in
its dominance for 10 years. Such control will prove particularly
crucial in
five states that expect to gain seats — Georgia, Florida,
South Carolina, Texas and Utah. Successful redistricting efforts
in those states could lead to success at the congressional level
by 2012. New districting lines also could prove crucial in
states, such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio, that
expect to lose seats in 2010. Friendly incumbents could find
their re-election prospects brightened by redistricting;
unfriendly incumbents could find themselves in far more
competitive and expensive races.
Reconnect at the Local Level
Rove’s contributions to the downfall of the GOP in recent years
go beyond his advice to potential candidates. Initiatives Rove
championed, such as the prescription-drug benefit, steel tariffs,
and the dramatic increase in domestic spending, caused
estrangement between the Republican Party and conservatives among
its membership who remained committed to free enterprise, limited
government, and personal responsibility. The party desperately
needs to repair the alarming disconnect between the GOP brand and
its grassroots. That can’t be accomplished with out-of-touch,
inside-the-Beltway types. It requires a bottom-up approach that
recognizes the importance of winning every election in every
locality.
Build a Better GOP Farm
Team
As such, the GOP must eschew the rent-a-star philosophy of
assembling candidate rosters — the poster boy for which was Lynn
Swann in the 2006 Pennsylvania governor’s race — and recommit to
nurturing homegrown talent. The star system produces an
occasional victory — John Thune over then-Senate Majority Leader
Tom Daschle in 2004, for instance — but it is not sustainable.
Eric Cantor, now minority whip of the U.S. House, exemplifies a
better model. The seasoning he received as a member of Virginia’s
General Assembly helped Cantor rise quickly through the ranks to
become the party’s number two man in the House.
Better Return on Investment
The homegrown approach — the approach that values a deep bench
and a vibrant farm system — also happens to cost less. This
means a lot to Republicans, not only because they are the party
of fiscal responsibility but also because Democrats currently
hold a substantial cash advantage. Candidate Obama outspent John
McCain by almost 4:1 in 2008, and that advantage is unlikely to
disappear anytime soon. Scott Brown’s monumental victory in
Massachusetts might help some, but Republicans remain plagued by
uneven leadership, depleted infrastructure and lack of the kind
of cohesive message that can turn disaffected voters into GOP
supporters and contributors.
Two-thirds of those who voted for Brown said they did so out of anger at Democratic policies and proposals, not support for Republican ideas. As Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Fla., the former House Republican Conference Chair, told the Washington Post, “The American people have fallen out of love with the current direction, but they haven’t fallen in love with Republicans.… Now we need a direction and vision.”
In the meantime, to win at the state level costs a fraction of what it takes to win congressional seats. Gubernatorial campaigns cost far less than U.S. Senate races, even though both require statewide campaigns. Considering the importance of redistricting and the role legislatures and governors play in it, state and local races seem a wise investment of both financial contributions and fresh electoral talent in 2010.
Rambo vs. Bond
Last year called for
a different approach. Republicans pulled off significant
victories in the governors’ races in Virginia and New Jersey by
focusing substantial resources on just two elections. This won’t
be possible in 2010, when several thousand seats will be up for
grabs across the country. The GOP must choose where to focus this
year, and that focus, because of redistricting, financial
challenges, and the best prospects of victory should be at the
state level. The Rambo approach — profligate use of all
available weapons, destroy everything within blast range — is
out. The James Bond approach — which relies on precision,
efficiency and pinpoint accuracy — is in for ‘10.
Winning Both Houses of Congress Is a Long
Shot
To be clear, no one here suggests the GOP abandon its efforts to
win congressional seats. Backlash against liberal proposals has
grown considerably in recent months, and the opportunity seems
rife to continue shrinking the Democrats’ sizeable majorities in
Congress. Even with Brown’s victory, though, most pollsters give
Republicans little chance of retaking either house. The Brown
result may even serve as a wakeup
call and help Democratic fundraising, and nobody knows
who will be helped or hurt by the Citizens United v.
FEC Supreme Court decision of last week. Therefore,
Republicans will be forced to choose whether to allocate
resources to vulnerable congressional candidates or promising
legislative candidates. If long-term, sustainable control of
Congress remains the goal — and we insist it does — then the
time is now to build that bench, to invest in the farm system and
to nurture that state legislative campaign.
If the GOP somehow does manage to regain control of Congress, it then must recognize such power is a privilege grounded in trust and bestowed on it by the American people. And the people can revoke that support as quickly as they gave it.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (60) | Leave a comment
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WRTolkas| 1.25.10 @ 8:31AM
Gentlemen,
Does anyone share my belief that Karl Rove is the Dr. Frank Burns of politics?
Regards,
WRTolkas
Havoc| 1.25.10 @ 9:04AM
Karl Rove and entire Bush Mediocracy are the butt-rash of the Republican Party. Wake up & smell the (coffee).
stmichrick| 1.27.10 @ 7:02PM
Demonizing Rove is a perfect example of the circular firing squad that is the Republican Party. The man engineered 2 terms of a Republican presidency. Sure, we all have issues with the Bush presidency. But Ron Paul was always unelectable and name who SHOULD have been the candidate. We should thank him for defeating Gore and Kerry and take his views into account going forward.
Appleby| 1.25.10 @ 9:18AM
What does "First of all, ambitious Republicans should set their sites and state and local races" mean?
Was the author trying to say "...set their SIGHTS ON state and local races?"
Generation Text Message strikes again.
Richard F. Miniter| 1.26.10 @ 2:04AM
Spot on! Sone time ago my grandaughter came home with a xeroxed homework assignment from her six grade teacher asking student to write a two hundred word essay on about MLK and the "Civil Rites" movement. Almost as annoying as the Tax Masters ads on TV asking if the IRS was "garnishing" your wages.
martin j smith| 1.25.10 @ 9:24AM
The concept of building from the local level itself is a good one. The question: who are the candidates,what do they stand for and , most important will they attract enough independents and blue dog voters to win.
Matt| 1.25.10 @ 9:44AM
Has the left in the country turned looney? Check it out on Walton's Wall @ http://waltonswall.com/2010/01.....ng-looney/
PCP Smoker| 1.25.10 @ 9:44AM
"The James Bond approach -- which relies on precision, efficiency and pinpoint accuracy --"
Dede Scossafavva received $900,000 from the NRCC. They need to pull their heads out of their collective asses before adopting any strategy
Ken (Old Texican)| 1.25.10 @ 9:46AM
Ford and Steve,
You are both raving lunatics!
You live in a fantasy world, just like our favorite goofusses here, Toddard, and Bob.
Ford, and Steve,
Let me " 'splain" something to you both, in real small words so you can understand it.
Our country cannot survive as a free society beyond 2010, (via the ballot box), unless we conservatives can get a majority in at least one chamber of the congress in DC.
Of course we need to develop our "farm system", duh, but you guys better get your heads out of your butts. Besides, in every district in America, there is only one ballot, with national as well as State elections listed.
Personally, I am going to vote a straight Republican ticket, and I hope everyone else here does. You know why?
Because every ignorant or fictitious vote on that election...will be a straight Democrat ticket vote.
Any crummy local "farm system" Republican MIGHT go along with his/her better peers as a group in session...and perhaps drop out along the way as we discover their weakness.
No Sirs,
we are going to put our money and our voice and other support behind national legislators this time around. We are going to nationalize every election where we can find a solid conservative to go to DC for us.
TEAM AMERICA
http://judgeroy.wordpress.com
erp| 1.25.10 @ 10:31AM
Ken is right. Republicans at the local level have no funding, so unless candidates have a personal fortune, what are they going to use for money to run on?
The national leadership is now and has been a disgrace. Their motto of "go along to get along" keeps them in funds and gets them invited to the A-list parties while our country goes to hell in a hand basket.
JP| 1.25.10 @ 10:53AM
I wouldn't go as far as attribute everything to Rove. The Dems did that from 2002-2004 as a put down the Bush. Rove was certainly the political conscience of the Bush WH, and his championing of Prescripion Drugs, and Steel Tarrifs was certainly short sighted. But, he did win Bush 2 governorships and 2 Presidential elections. His get-out-the-vote efforts gave Bush the highest vote total in election history (2004), and his efforts in 2002 got the GOP Senate Majorities. So, in the field of pure election mechanics there have been few more effective than Rove.
The question remains just how influential was Rove inside the WH? Certainly, other advisors such as Gonzales, Cheney, Hughes, Card, and Bolton had influence. And do not forget Bush had a strong sense of "social justice" he inherited from his own family (when people hurt the government's gotta move!). The President's Compassionate Conservative identification was something that was totally in-line with his father's philosophy. Yes, Rove could be a bit too clever for his own good. But I really think much of Bush's action's as President were mainly his own.
We should also remember that rank and file GOP members were so desperate to field someone more conservative than McCain (at least rhetorically) that we totally over looked his short comings
Ken (Old Texican)| 1.25.10 @ 11:42AM
JP,
Pretty sharp comment there. Thanks,
but, doggone it folks, I personally didn't have a problem with Dubyah expanding medicine budgets for the old folks, and disabled.
I really didn't mind the "effort" to perfect our safety nets...though the actual execution and legislation was clumsy and half assed by Repub congress critters.
Please do recall that HSAs were strenghened as well, and the effort (by Dubyah) to privatize SS and perhaps some Medicare. Those alone could have taken a huge burden off working Americans...and given us all a more secure future.
Another thought. Dubyah spoke all the time about the "crime" of stealing from the SS trust fund "lock-box" and using it for general government expenditures.
Finally, Dubyah overcame the potential economic meltdown tht could have occurred due to 9-11, and instead grew the "economic pie" A LOT...AND CREATED A "CLIMATE"...so that "small" business could prosper.
Part of that "climate" was due his own commitment to go pin the terrorists' ears back in AFPAK, and later Iraq.
Folks, our splendid troops and Marines acted as a huge piece of fly-paper and every terrorist leader tht got stuck in it...didn't come here.
God bless every vet. and every active service member....and every single one of the fallen and wounded.
Some of us will never forget you.
Margie| 1.25.10 @ 1:24PM
Ken,
I can say that I actually miss GW. When I saw him in those ads with Clinton for Haiti relief I almost cried. The comparison between him and Obama truly is like night and day. ..and they try and say there's no difference between the 2 parties.
God bless GW.
God bless our Troops!
JP| 1.25.10 @ 2:24PM
Ken,
Yes, this nation does owe a bit of gratitude to the President. And it could be years (maybe decades) before an honest assessment of his Presidency is written. I thin most conservatives are more than willing to over-look his failings. As far as national security issues, his instincts were correct. It was too bad he was served so poorly by so many operators and bureaucrats. I think some of the blame can go to his governing style. He was waaaaay too loyal to incompetents (Sec of State Powell, George Tenent, and CENTCOM commander, General Franks). But, when his back was against the wall, he never flinched from doing the right thing.
Finally, I would like to add that the GOP became a hallow shell under his watch. The party atrophied from the bottom up. Local and state GOP offices could no longer field conservative candidates, and when they did the RNC always seemed to gravitate to the more liberal ones. But that is the subject of another story.
Ken (Old Texican)| 1.25.10 @ 3:12PM
Yeah, JP
.....about 8 or 10 more horrific terrorist attacks here under Hussein will hasten that, (honest assessment of W's presidency).
Pingback| 1.25.10 @ 1:00PM
Not So Fast Karl Rove! Why Republicans Must Go Local | ProjectVirginia links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Larry in Iowa| 1.25.10 @ 1:07PM
Pearson makes a very good point. One of the Republican Party's weakest points is that it doesn't have much of a farm team. Democrats fill up the school boards, city councils, county boards and state legislatures. Too often Republicans refuse to run unless they can start at the top. Because of this we have given over the educational system to the left and many of our cities are run by them too. And a candidate who has run and won at the local and state level is much better prepared when they run for federal office. With redistricting about to happen state legislative offices are more important than ever. The leftists are right when they say "Think globally, act locally."
Derek Leaberry| 1.25.10 @ 1:12PM
Republicans shouldn't allow Rove's shadow to darken its collective door. Remember amnesty, drug benefits, the Kennedy education bill, compassionate "conservatism" and the disaster that was the Bush Administration.
kingsmill| 1.25.10 @ 2:18PM
Rove is whistling in the wind.
Here in Massachusetts, there is virtually no organized Republican party.
Scott Brown began his career in the 90's as a local Assessor and Selectman in the Town of Wrentham. Republican party presence was nil.
He was targeted by the Left establishment in each of his State Senate runs and beat them back, not because of the Republican party, but because he had successfully created his own reputation and worked like a dog in his district.
It is essential to run state and local candidates, but the Massachusetts Republican party only waits for the next millionaire/billionaire candidate to come out of the background. The same cabal of Republican consultants has ruined the state party and lined their own pockets.
JP| 1.25.10 @ 2:29PM
I think you can say the same about New Jersey, and to a lesser degree Virginia. I think most of the energy with conservatives and independents is all local. While the RNC was attempting to sound the moderate theme, grassroots organizations took to the streets, blogs, and air waves. Michael Steele hasn't raised much money, and his one forray into state politics (NY-23) was a disaster. The Dems biggest friend could be the unorganized nature of this movement. But then again, things are so fluid that perhaps no national orgnanization can control things.
Ricodemus| 1.25.10 @ 3:54PM
Good article and great comments above. There is hope for the party, going on the intelligent responses.
With the gerrymandered districts controlled by the Left, Raving Blue Minnesota could lose the Michele Bachmann seat, through elimination by the Left dominated Statehouse. If Pelosi doesn't get her, redistricting will.
She has become the Conservative Voice in a go-along-to-get-along lackluster Congress. Go to her website and keep her in Congress!
Margie| 1.25.10 @ 10:36PM
Ricodemus.. any relation to the famous Nicodemus?
And oh yes, you can count on us to backing Michelle Bachman. We will be putting our $ where our mouths are! Just like we did for Scott Brown!
Carolynn| 1.25.10 @ 7:05PM
I love Karl. So to see Rove haters -- he's a great pundit.
Won't these positions be filled naturally if you vote straight on your party ticket?
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Yosemeti Sam| 1.26.10 @ 12:06AM
Following his rosy predictions of 2006 and 2008
- which did not materialize wholly for Republican incumbents - why would one now attach to political counsel from him?
Ditto for Steeles' stated timid expectations about 2010 - unless he 's revised and extended his remark(s).
These two cannot appreciate the writings on the bitter clingers wall.
GOP primary candidate voters: LISTEN rather to the sound of hoof beats echoing from Virginia, NJ, Mass and almost upstate NY.
And ride with those Mustangs who also carry winning messages.
Not upon those who favor riding on mules - the
slow meandering get along way.
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