Among Republicans, a Debate Over the Party’s Road Map Back to Power

And there was even the suggestion, made gingerly and reverently, that Republicans could not continue to make “Ronald Reagan” the answer to every question at a time when they are overwhelmingly losing the young voters who were children, or were not yet born, when he was president.

In the aftermath of the 2008 Presidential election, I am continually amazed that a multitude of Republican leaders continue to invoke Reagan, Reagan, Reagan as the cure for the party’s ills. Reagan left office in 1989, when I was six years old. I am well-versed in Reagan’s policies, but that is only thanks to my love of history and political science. When you start preaching “Reagan principles” or whatever to an 18 year old first time voter, for the most part they haven’t a clue what you are talking about. The GOP needs to attract younger voters. Does it honestly think that talking about some dude from the 1980s is going to do that?
I think Patrick Ruffini & Co. “get it” but whether the party elders will listen remains to be seen.

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