The prospect of an imminent “Red Wave” coming in November’s midterm elections has been widely reported, as the Democrats have been in self-destruct mode since before President Joe Biden was even sworn into office eighteen months ago.
Among other unforced errors, Biden and the Democrats have destroyed our economy, irrevocably damaged our national security by opening our borders, and have thoroughly deprived millions of Americans of their basic rights in an alleged attempt to protect us in an unwinnable battle against a Chinese virus. One need not look any further than the devastating surge we’re currently seeing in gasoline prices for evidence of the Democrats’ complete implosion, and it seems clear the results they’re achieving were indeed intentional.
As a result, and coming as no surprise to anyone other than Democrats themselves, Americans are vocally rejecting the Democrats’ socialist, climate alarmist, and racist agenda. In virtually every demographic that is tracked – including a remarkable renunciation of their policies from Hispanics, traditionally one of the most loyally Democratic groups in the country – Americans are abandoning Democrats in droves.
Therefore, as indicated in polling virtually anywhere we look, the opportunity for Republicans to sweep to power in Congress has never been more apparent, and the same could be said for the presidency in 2024. It’s there for the taking if you’re the Republican Party. But what good is power and control for a party if they can’t keep it and if they can’t govern effectively? Here are five items the GOP must apply to their election and governing strategies:
1. Tell the truth, don’t over-promise, and deliver on the promises you make.
Americans aren’t stupid. Or, more accurately stated, most Americans aren’t stupid. In the lead-up to the 2020 election, Joe Biden made outrageous promises he was never going to be able to keep, including his pledge to “shut down” the COVID pandemic. There are probably 30% of Americans who would shrug off Biden’s ridiculousness and vote for a rock provided it had a “D” next to its name on the ballot. But the other 70% remember broken promises. They understand when they’ve been conned by a clown like Joe Biden blowing smoke up their ass.
Whatever promises you make, ensure they’re realistic. And for those promises that are dependent on Democrats’ cooperation, call that fact out ahead of time. For instance, “We will fix inflation by cutting back on government spending, increasing the supply of crude oil and other everyday items, and getting Americans off the dole and back to work in order to fix the labor crisis. But we will need Democrats’ help to make this happen.” Put the onus on the Democrats to either be part of the solution, or part of the problem.
2. Don’t shy away from conservativism, embrace it.
Simply stated, conservatism works. While President Biden ran as a moderate and promised to govern accordingly, he has indeed been operating as a typical leftist, which is why the country is in shambles. Conservative policies, on the other hand, are effective every time they are tried.
Call out the fact that government is not the solution to everyone’s problem. It is often government itself that is the problem. We need fewer regulations on corporations, not more. We need fewer Americans sitting on the labor sidelines. We need less government spending at virtually every level of government: federal, state, and local. And we need government to understand its true role and to not seize our God-given rights at the slightest sign of adversity.
3. Focus on the economy, national security, and individual liberty…
Democrats are clearly going to attempt to hold onto power by pumping up their campaign trail narratives on abortion, gun control, and January 6th. And while those issues are clearly hot-button topics and important to many Americans, they are far less of a priority than the economy, our safety as a county, and government intrusion into our lives.
As Ben Shapiro stated consistently during the lead-up to the 2020 elections, all Republicans really need to do is to point at the Democrats. Let the Democrats be bat shit crazy, and then offer straightforward, sensible solutions in return. Extend the Trump tax cuts, reduce federal spending, secure our border, and achieve peace through strength on the international stage. And respect the individual rights of all Americans: Easy, squeezy.
4. … But don’t shy away from social issues when they come up.
Voters are going to be much more concerned about their vanishing 401K accounts and the thousands of illegal immigrants who are pouring over our border than they will about transgender rights and so-called social equity. Republicans need to concentrate their energy in that direction. But when Democrats start hollering about the need to take away everyone’s guns, indoctrinating children with LGBTQ ideology, and allowing abortion up to the time of birth, don’t be quiet. Say it loud, say it proud.
Men are men and women are women. That’s not a controversial or hateful statement, and most Americans recognize that reality. Gun control that would be effective in removing firearms from those who would use them criminally is worth discussing, but seizing the weapons of law-abiding Americans in the name of “doing something” is unacceptable. And a fetus is a human being. Democrats in states like New York are using taxpayer dollars to fund abortions up until the moment of birth. That’s infanticide, and Republicans should call it what it is.
5. Punch back at Democrats and their media when you’re attacked.
Say what you want about Donald J. Trump, but the man was brilliant in this regard. Don’t just sit there like George W. Bush and allow your opponents to dictate the storyline. The best defense is a strong offense.
If a Democrat calls a Republican or a proposed policy ‘racist,’ call them out directly on their own racism such as their insistence on playing identity politics. When they call you a transphobe, point out that there are only two genders, and to assert otherwise isn’t just irrational, it’s not helping those who truly suffer from Gender Dysphoria; and it’s also disrespectful to true members of each gender. When they call you “mean-spirited and greedy” for advocating for cuts in social welfare spending, point out that true greed is the Democrats’ obsession with taking Americans’ money through taxation. And giving poor folks government handouts isn’t compassionate, but enabling them to take care of themselves is.
Conclusion:
We are at a critical crossroads in America right now. What happens over the course of the next two national election cycles will have repercussions for generations to come, and damage that is incurred otherwise could be irreversible. It is absolutely imperative that Republicans retake control of both Congress and the White House, and that they then govern as true conservatives.
As fellow author at The Blue State Conservative Paul Yarbrough is fond of pointing out, the GOP is often no better than the Democrats. That trend needs to end now, never to return. There’s too much at stake between now and 2024, and it’s time for the Republican Party to get its act together. Follow the five points above, and you just might be able to do it.
PF Whalen writes at The Blue State Conservative (among other venues).
