BellaOnline Forums News and Politics Republican Party What is next for Republicans

Just another exercise to gauge where we are at right now.

-whoisjohngalt

What Direction Should the Republican Party Go? single choice
	Strengthen It's Conservative Roots
	Lean Towards the Middle to Attract Moderates and Independants
	Go Liberal to Attract Democrat Voters
	Do Nothing, It's fine the way it is
Votes accepted starting: 11/19/08 04:56 AM You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.

What areas are the Republican Party Weak On? multiple choice
	The War on Terror
	Border Enforcement
	Economy
	Education
	Law Enforcement
	Government Spending
	Expressing It's Positions
	Foreign Policy
Votes accepted starting: 11/19/08 05:00 AM You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.

Are You Satisfied with the Leadership in the Republican Party? single choice
	Yes
	No
Votes accepted starting: 11/19/08 05:02 AM You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.

The first poll is self-explanitory.

The second poll, is about what areas you think we need improvement.

The third poll, just think of the party in general where it stands right now.

Thanks!
-whoisjohngalt

I think one of the biggest things with the Republican party is that it is kind of seen as the "Good 'ol boys".

We need some new blood in there. I think that is one big reason Palin was chosen as the VP candidate - she is a fresh face to the Republican party, while still holding to the mainline party platform.

Chances are good that anyone picked is going to resemble a "good ol' boy" though. And you saw how people tore into Palin... it wasn't pretty. I think the main thing will be time and patience as we wait and see what happens under the new administration. If he screws up bad enough, it won't even matter that much what the new Republican says, does or who he/she is... just look at who American voted in Office out of frustration over Bush. They'll do it again eventually, but it will be a Republican they vote in next time. I think the Republican party needs to really work on determining if it is a truly conservative party or if it is more moderate and stick with one thing. Granted, a truly conservative party will have the hardest time winning, unless there is another combo similar to McCain Palin where one is more middle ground and one is more conservative. Honestly, I am not sure I look at it as "parties" as much as where do they stand on issues important to me. I think that is how many felt with Obama and McCain, but I also think that because of the "historical" aspect of this election, many wanted to be a part of electing such a historical person to the President position. What better way to argue not being a racist than to say you voted for Obama. Race aside, because imo it had nothing to do with the election as far as my vote went, I don't care what race or sex the next candidates are, what I am going to care about is where they stand on issues. I think the Republican party definitely needs to reform itself or do something. I just love how everyone is supposed to rally in support of a the new president but the same people touting that we need to be supporting this new president probably spent the past 8 years condemning Bush and counting the days til he was out of office. While I am sure Obama will do some good things in office, I am just as sure that he will do just as many, if not more, that I disagree with, so I hope those who support him will allow me the same courtesy to disagree with him and make the same comments I have been hearing about Bush for the past 8 years.

I've really got to go look back and see what the real numbers are - but we've been playing "flip the party" for a while now.

No matter which party is in office, it is never going to be perfect. And America then shows its displeasure by voting in the opposing party. Which does seem to make sense from an immediacy POV, but then THAT party doesn't make eveything right - so we turn back around and vote in the other party we just got rid of. (My head is spinning!)

I'm like you, I really don't care about the parties anymore- I'm looking at the candidates.

But part of me really, really wants a strong Independent Party candidate next time 'round. Because I just want to see what would happen if the bi-partisan routine (or rather rut) that our government has fallen into got really shaken up.

Hmmmm, this gives me an idea for an Independent Party post!

I decided to go and look to see which party was in charge when - I went back to Hoover (then my eyes started crossing)

D - Obama
R - Bush, George W.
D - Clinton
R - Bush
R - Reagan
D - Carter
R - Ford
R - Nixon
D - Johnson
D - Kennedy
R - Eisenhower
D - Truman
D - FDR
R - Hoover

Just thought it was interesting to look at how we flip-flopped back and forth.

One that is even funnier than that, Michelle, was that if Hillary had won this election, the most recent presidents would have gone,

Bush
Clinton
Clinton
Bush
Bush
Clinton

24 years of two families
I saw a campaign sign somewhere saying that the White House was not a time share

-whoisjohngalt

Oy! I never even thought about that one!

Imagine how that would have looked in the history books 100 years from now, LOL!

That is funny John. Wouldn't that confuse the heck out of students. wow! 24 years of two families!!! We almost have that with Hillary in as Secretary of State - did she accept that yet?

I think I am going to switch to being Independent. I abhor this dem/rep hate war that the media keeps stirred up!

It's too bad Ron Paul didn't have more of a chance. I wonder what it would take for an independent candidate to really compete?

That is interesting about the Bush/Clinton run. At least students would have a 50/50 chance at guessing who the president was during those 24 years.