Thursday, April 12, 2012

2012 is the Republicans' election to lose.

It has been proven 3 years running now, that conservatism is the dominant ideology in the United States, far outpacing liberalism by a two to one ratio.

On virtually every major issue important to potential voters, conservatives hold an advantage. But I am going to highlight three major issues that, if handled properly, could give the GOP a serious advantage in the general election.

1) DRILLING

If there is one single issue Republicans hold a major advantage in, it is domestic oil production. On drilling for oil, 2 out of every 3 Americans favor offshore drilling. Support for drilling in Alaska has reached an all time high. Gas prices directly affect Americans at the pump. The Barack Obama energy plan is a failure and negatively affects the people. Mitt Romney's campaign needs to hammer Obama and Democrats on this issue. Replay the words of Barack Obama and Energy Secretary Steven Chu until every American can recite them by heart.

2) AFGHANISTAN

Beat Obama to the punch. Vow to withdraw all ground troops from Afghanistan and make it a central issue in the campaign. This promise would be embraced by a war weary nation where 7 out of every 10 Americans now believes we should not be there. This could bring a much needed boost to the Republican ticket.

3) JOBS AND THE ECONOMY

Barack Obama is proven to be one of the absolute worst jobs creation presidents in history. As unemployment still hovers above 8%, and more realistically 11% if you really do the math, the nation yearns for positive job creation. Again Barack Obama is on the wrong side of the most important issue in the election according to most Americans. Bombard Americans with proven statistics on Obama's economic failures. At the same time, the Romney camp should relentlessly contrast Romney's economic experience to Obama's in ways that the average American will understand and welcome. Run this issue to death, until the American people instantly think "Obama" the moment they hear the word "unemployment". And no amount of political spin can do away with the national misery index being the highest in 28 years.

*Other things the GOP should beat to the bloody pulp: Fast and Furious, Solyndra


It is really quite a phenomenon. In a nation where most identify as conservative, where most want to drill for oil, where most want lower spending, where most want lower taxes, where most despise Obamacare, where most view high unemployment as a bad thing, where most favor Romney over Obama on the economy, and where just 3 in 10 Americans believe the country is headed in the right direction, Barack Obama still has a chance at winning. This is largely due to the Democratic Party and the Democrat controlled media framing the debate around juicy side issues like birth control and racism to divert attention away from issues they know they can't win on.

Make no mistake, the Democrats have not forgotten 2010. If you'll recall, just two short years ago, Democrats suffered the worst defeat in the midterm elections by any party since 1938. Why? Because big issues were fresh in the minds of the American people. The economy. Obamacare. Spending.

This summer and fall should be a time where the Romney campaign hammers Obama relentlessly and aggressively on the issues he knows he can't win on. Electrify the base and secure Tea Party support with Marco Rubio. Make drilling, jobs, and the economy the central issues and give it a twist by vowing to bring all troops home from Afghanistan.

It is the Republicans' election to lose. And if they do, it will be because they have lost the war of ideas and failed to convey to the American people why Republicans are better suited to lead this country. That is the bottom line. 

2 comments:

The Conservative Lady said...

You hit it out of the park with this one, Hank. I hope Romney has the gumption to take Obama on, because there is no room for "political correctness" this time around. The days of being called a racist if we disagree with Obama are gone. He has a record now and everything and anything is on the table. You are so linked to on TCL FBs.

Robert Janicki said...

I propose a global lottery on exactly how long Hamid Karzai will remain alive after the United States finally pulls out of that 11th century hell hole. The proceeds from the lottery can be applied to the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and maybe help pay down our huge national debt accelerated by the Idiot in Chief and his merry band of extortionist pals in congress.