Kevin Madden on the Powell endorsement of Obama:
I believe there are very few endorsements that move blocs of voters. Endorsements tend to reaffirm what voters already know or like (or dislike) about a candidate's personal and ideological attributes. But the endorsement of Colin Powell is significant because of its timing and the message it sends to swing Democrats and independents.> Madden's full comment here: Politico's The Arena
Colin Powell was a proxy for our party's ability to persuade Democrats and independents to join a center-right coalition of ideas built around economic conservatism and a strong national defense. The endorsement is emblematic of the challenges we face as a party when it comes to winning back these voters.
Also see: WSJ - What Independent voters want: fiscally conservative, strong on security
Independent voters, once a political afterthought, are now the largest and fastest-growing segment of the American electorate.
3 comments:
The Republicans can't ignore the fact that the selection of Palin, and the attacks on the 'so-called elites' of the party has hurt their chances in this election. The GOP was the party of a big tent. But, I agreed with Powell that it has taken a right-wing shift that will not win elections in the future. Those in the center will vote with the Democrats if this continues and the Conservatives will find themselves in the minority for many elections to come if they can't win back some of these voters. Romney's just the guy to do that. He's well liked by the conservatives and has the respect of many independents.
The 'fascination' with Palin clearly doesn't translate into votes -- and as a matter of fact, it's done the complete opposite for the Republicans. It has certainly been proven that if the elites are not on board with the conservatives, the right-wing loses. Palin sent them packing. Palin is a divisive figure, and has been a huge disappointment in a year of such a critical election. Will the Palin-swooning Republicans take a moment to see the truth, rather than doing exactly what they accuse the MSM of doing -- only hearing and reading what they wish to hear and see by way of conservative talk radio, Fox News and conservative bloggers repeating the same talking points? Failing to recognize that it was Palin's addition to the ticket that cost McCain the election will only guarantee future defeat for the GOP in up-coming elections if they think her brand of Republicanism is where the country is at. I hope the Republicans are willing to tap into the concerns of Independents and become a Big Tent party once again that welcomes debate and doesn't belittle those who don't come from 'small towns' or 'bible belt' areas. I agree most Americans are fiscal conservatives and want a strong national defense, but Palin's rants have been the biggest turnoff of the election, and I expect many good Republicans will choose to sit out this election because of her. A center-right coalition wins elections. A narrow-minded pol like Palin gives the impression that the GOP is a party only for members of a certain religion (seeing that someone like Romney, a Mormon, was clearly not welcomed) and a certain region (clearly northeast Republicans need not apply). That's not the party I know, or wish to be a member of...
well said, both of you, and this center right conservative couldn't agree more. I will not be contributing to puting palin near the presidency. I will continue to fight for conservative causes how I can, but the party of conservatism has lost it's way. Since I am an independent, I have no particularly loyalty to it
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