The GOP’s #Winning Problem
Why isn’t the Republican Party winning?
If you were to believe Tea Party Nation founder Judson Phillips argument, it is John Boehner’s fault.
“Charlie Sheen still makes more sense than John Boehner because at least Charlie Sheen is winning.”
While his analogy may lack some merit about Boehner, the Republican Party has certainly not drank enough tiger blood to make any headway in Washington.
Coming off a historical victory in November, the GOP has failed the communications war to keep the party, and country, energized. Besides repealing Obamacare, the Republicans only accomplishment has been to cut a few billion from the budget.
Are they afraid to win?
In the 1980’s our beloved President Ronald Reagan faced a Congress led by the opposition party. Republicans controlled one of three branches of government. Yet, somehow he was able to cut taxes and introduce policies that led to 20 years of growth. (#winning)
Today, facing two branches controlled by the Democrats, the GOP has taken a different approach. Instead of making the argument and using the power they were given in November, our party spends it’s time assigning blame.
Our debt is spiraling out of control, yet we get locked into arguments about $6 billion in spending cuts.
After promising to propose $100 billion in cuts, the House can barely stomach $61 billion.
We talk about not being scared to tackle entitlement reform. And then we talk some more.
Barring a few, the Republican Party as a whole refuses to make the bold decisions that they were elected to do. This is politics as usual in Washington, DC.
But what are the solutions?
If you are Judson Phillips, you encourage a primary opponent for John Boehner. Some Tea Party groups advocate a more conservative challenger to Scott Brown.
Both of these seem short sighted and ultimately damaging for the party. We need to act now.
The Republican Party can take a page out of Charlie Sheen’s (and Ronald Reagan’s) playbook on winning.
I believe Speaker Boehner and the majority of the GOP know what needs to be done.
Stop hesitating. Starting winning.
Bill Murphy is a political and public affairs strategist. He works at Vice & Victory, a digital consulting firm specializing in political media.
You can visit his website at http://www.bill-murphy.com.
