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ASU2003 · 11-05-2008, 06:18 PM

So what changes do you think the Republicans need to make in order to compete again in the next election?

Here is my list as someone who is independent but voted for Obama. What do you think, would you add anything or change anything?

1. Stop all of the negative campaigning. Or at least limit it. I need to know what the candidate will do instead of only what is wrong with the other person.

2. Need to appeal to young people. They need to figure out how they can win people like me. I had no problem with McCain's age, but I didn't think that he would be able to change things like health care, censorship laws, and energy policies.

3. Immigration. Maybe it's because McCain is from Arizona and he would have a hard time getting elected in his state if he wanted to reform immigration too severely. But we need to know who is coming into this country, and actually let good hard working, smart & productive people in. From all over the world, not just one country.

4. They need to get their approval numbers up. And it's going to be tough unless the Democrats fail and have even lower approval numbers.

5. I don't care about gay marriage. I'm sorry. As long as two people can live together in the same home and be together, it doesn't affect my life. But making laws to take away other people's life choices won't win my vote.

6. Environment. Teddy Roosevelt set aside large areas for national parks and conservation of natural resources. They need to come to the middle on recycling programs (why throw away things when a company can make money recycling), drilling (a lot of jobs can be made switching cars and homes over to non-oil energy), and low emission power plants (new jobs, cleaner air). I would rather see thousands of Americans working good jobs like these than to save a few bucks a month on my electric bill.

7. Entrepreneurship and taxes. This is the American dream and they tried to use Joe the Plummer, but the RNC/McCain needed to make a 30 minute on-line video showing how there are middle class Americans who followed their dream and started a business and are now making lots of money. But also show the people how lower taxes keeps the doors open and allows them to employ more people.

8. International Relations. The war is an issue, but it's not just that. Trade partnerships and less regulations have improved relationships and quality of life in many countries. There has to be some example of a previously poor country now being able to afford American products, isn't there?

9. Big spending. When they were in power, they didn't raise taxes, but they just shifted it to the deficient. If the Republicans want to win, they will need to figure out a way to balance the budget and keep it balanced even in wartime and depressions. Smaller government programs aren't all bad, they need to show how some agencies are doing more with less money. Now a large portion of my tax money goes to pay the interest on the debt and can't be used constructively.

10. Urban and the North areas. They need to figure out how to appeal to these areas. The current message isn't working for millions of Americans.

11-05-2008, 06:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
ASU2003 immoral minority Location: Back in Ohio	What did the Republicans do wrong? So what changes do you think the Republicans need to make in order to compete again in the next election? Here is my list as someone who is independent but voted for Obama. What do you think, would you add anything or change anything? 1. Stop all of the negative campaigning. Or at least limit it. I need to know what the candidate will do instead of only what is wrong with the other person. 2. Need to appeal to young people. They need to figure out how they can win people like me. I had no problem with McCain's age, but I didn't think that he would be able to change things like health care, censorship laws, and energy policies. 3. Immigration. Maybe it's because McCain is from Arizona and he would have a hard time getting elected in his state if he wanted to reform immigration too severely. But we need to know who is coming into this country, and actually let good hard working, smart & productive people in. From all over the world, not just one country. 4. They need to get their approval numbers up. And it's going to be tough unless the Democrats fail and have even lower approval numbers. 5. I don't care about gay marriage. I'm sorry. As long as two people can live together in the same home and be together, it doesn't affect my life. But making laws to take away other people's life choices won't win my vote. 6. Environment. Teddy Roosevelt set aside large areas for national parks and conservation of natural resources. They need to come to the middle on recycling programs (why throw away things when a company can make money recycling), drilling (a lot of jobs can be made switching cars and homes over to non-oil energy), and low emission power plants (new jobs, cleaner air). I would rather see thousands of Americans working good jobs like these than to save a few bucks a month on my electric bill. 7. Entrepreneurship and taxes. This is the American dream and they tried to use Joe the Plummer, but the RNC/McCain needed to make a 30 minute on-line video showing how there are middle class Americans who followed their dream and started a business and are now making lots of money. But also show the people how lower taxes keeps the doors open and allows them to employ more people. 8. International Relations. The war is an issue, but it's not just that. Trade partnerships and less regulations have improved relationships and quality of life in many countries. There has to be some example of a previously poor country now being able to afford American products, isn't there? 9. Big spending. When they were in power, they didn't raise taxes, but they just shifted it to the deficient. If the Republicans want to win, they will need to figure out a way to balance the budget and keep it balanced even in wartime and depressions. Smaller government programs aren't all bad, they need to show how some agencies are doing more with less money. Now a large portion of my tax money goes to pay the interest on the debt and can't be used constructively. 10. Urban and the North areas. They need to figure out how to appeal to these areas. The current message isn't working for millions of Americans.