As the Republican National Committee begins its meetings in the winter wonderland of Washington, D.C., there is hope for sunnier days ahead for future GOP candidates. The greatest minds of the Republican Party, such as long-time GOP committee member, activist and protégé of Newt Gingrich Randy Evans, are behind the initiative to change the dates of the next presidential primaries and the 2016 Republican National Convention. This is potentially good news for the GOP.
But there’s bad news: some politicians still don’t understand that the public, even those actively involved in politics, “understand” the way they act. Witness the mess Gov. Chris Christie is dealing with in New Jersey following the indictment of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell.
The two men reflect on an ongoing issue that particularly vexes the Republican Party. First, there is the issue of perceived short-sighted friendships based solely on donations rather than merit. While McDonnell’s behavior hardly seems criminal, his accepting all kinds of gifts and being in the company of one person who was likely flaunting his power over the governor is becoming standard in many parts of the country.
Then there is the issue of perceived political intimidation using state resources.
Christie is a victim of his own style. We know this because we have all seen his harsh public edicts and statements over the last few years. Apparently his staff felt that these were the crowned little princes and princesses of New Jersey. And you probably had to pass through their heavily guarded gate to even reach the king. So why not close a public bridge here or threaten another political leader there with the force of the state? Normal?
Evil. Democrats control the Justice Department and govern, as best as one can tell, with an even heavier political hand than any current GOP tyrant. It seems effortless for them to launch an investigation into the Republican administration’s closing of the bridge, or the close relationship between the Republican governor and the donor, or basically clear the IRS of any wrongdoing related to attacks on conservatives. They know that most of the media will let them.
But the rules are different for Republican leaders, and some of their bigwigs and palace guards don’t recognize it. The fact is that if there should be any bully pulpit, it should be that of ideas, advocacy and persuasion. Not closing bridges or blocking access to elected leaders when decisions are made solely by their unelected staff.
Of course, as has been noted many times, Republicans love to keep the masses out of the king’s court and have been known to attack each other. This brings us back to a potential change in the GOP nominating process.
After nominating two people whose appeal to the heartland of America and the “middle class” (I still hate that term) was minimal, leaders like Mr. Evans are looking for a recent calendar for nominating a presidential candidate. It would preserve traditions like Iowa and New Hampshire as early contests, but force other states to hold off on them until later. The real goal is to give the Midwest, which once played a key role in the GOP’s victory over Democrats, a chance to have a real say in who the GOP nominee becomes.
This is a very clever move for a party whose nomination has been closed relatively early and generally by whichever candidate wins the Florida primary relatively early. If this could assist return a state like Ohio to Republican hands, it would be a stroke of genius. That’s if the makers of the recent schedule remember that they must include Florida as a key player or they will continue to risk losing a huge number of electoral votes to Democrats.
As for an earlier date for the national convention, that also makes sense. In recent years, the Republican Party has held its conventions so tardy that a candidate barely had time to blink and the race was over. And with so little time to respond to the natural attack on whoever they nominate for vice president, the GOP ticket has had little time to respond to the media’s slip-ups and insults.
If only GOP leaders and advisers would unite to choose a candidate worthy of support.
