Obama won, so what is your advice to the GOP

[sergeantnorider]

I won't say that the GOP can't win another election,but they have painted themselves into a corner. Basically, right now the GOP is owned by the hispanic community and they know it. The GOP could've taken a reasonable view on immigration like McCain's bill but no they wanted to follow Tancredo over a cliff and demand deportation for 20 million people by gunpoint. Naturally Obama ended up winning 70% of the hispanic vote and flipping all those states. Now the GOP has to kiss hispanic ass. Simple.

[kainedamo]

Actually I'll give one specific example. Bush was a very, very divisive leader. "You're either with us or against us". And people feel like they had been lied to by the Bush administration as a whole. The Iraq war is the main issue I think that most people have. Republicans need to earn trust back from the people.

[kainedamo]

It's good that republicans out there are seeking honest answers on this, and that's a good step. I'm not sure what to say really except to say, changing the republican party for the better requires a deep and honest analysis of the last eight years and what went wrong and why it went wrong. I'm not trying to be a smart ass, I'm being honest - republicans need to understand why it is people are so glad to see the back of Bush. If republicans can't understand that, then... its no good.

[keyboardplaya]

Also, get rid of the litmus tests. Just because you're a republican doesn't mean you even have to agree with your party on the steroids issue.

And on a personal note, coming from a Jewish guy (me), PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE stop using the phrase "Judeo-Christian principles." Whenever you guys say this, it almost always refers to things that most Jews DON'T support.

[keyboardplaya]

The mistake that the GOP is STILL making (even after losing), is doing nothing. They think they don't need to change anything, but need to just "try harder."

How about getting rid of the cocky attitude? It just makes you guys look insecure. Instead of assuming that America is "center/right," admit publicly that we're somewhere in the middle. Instead of intentionally pissing people off unapologetically, try being their friend.  People won't vote for you if you offend them.

[sergeantnorider]

The GOP is going to have to moderate its "unspoken" position on immigration. What is that "unspoken" position? Mass deportation. There are only 3 possible positions:ignore illegals,amnesty,or mass deportation. Southern white conservatives will only accept the last option.Tancredo was the only guy with the stones to say it aloud during the GOP primary but when the GOP audience cheered,hispanics took notice. You lost CO,NM,NV,and began losing AZ! Whats next TX? You have NO choice but to moderate.

[stringkini]

In my opinion (and I'm so glad someone is paying attention and seeking comments) I feel that the hate and vitrol shown by the crowds attending Palin rallys turns people off.

My dad was a life long republican, but I can't imagine him supporting the republican party as it is today. The ultra-con branch of the party is in control, with all their hate and lies. I live in Utah, but in a blue county. People can't believe how wacky the republicans appear to be when far right.

thanks!

[Gergis421]

I agree with previous post. Stop pandering to social conservatives. They repel everyone else. And stop using the term conservative all together.

[natedawg3654]

Ditch evangelical Christians, religious fanatics are the most irrational people on the planet and no self respecting political party should pander to them.

[RichDreamsTeacher]

The republicans ditching evangelicals is like the democratic party ditching gay people--never happen. Good try though!

[22349a]

Well, for what it matters, I've know gay people who were to the right of you, and I've heard of evangelicals who are to the left of the Republican platform.