Well I hope all of the higher-ups in the GOP read this report because this is the key to keeping the party relevant for the next 20 years.
In the report, the young Republican activists acknowledge their party
has suffered significant damage in recent years. A sampling of the
critique on:
Gay marriage: “On the ‘open-minded’ issue … [w]e will face serious difficulty so long as the issue of gay marriage remains on the table.”
Hispanics: “Latino voters … tend to think the GOP couldn’t care less about them.”
Perception of the party’s economic stance: “We’ve become the party that will pat you on your back when you make it, but won’t offer you a hand to help you get there.”
Big reason for the image problem: The “outrageous statements made by errant Republican voices.”
Words that up-for-grabs voters associate with the GOP: “The responses were brutal: closed-minded, racist, rigid, old-fashioned.”
Yup the faster the GOP gets gay marriage and immigration reform off the table the better. Those are wedge issues that makes the GOP look anti-inclusive and nativist. Both things that younger voters just don't like.
Also that part about the party that will pat you on the back when you made it but won't give you a hand up to make it is apt. The GOP needs to re-brand itself is the party that wants everyone to live well rich, poor, or middle class. A rising tide lifts all boats. Also cutting things that people use and have had for decades like Planned Parenthood and Public Television when you save only pennies on the dollar is a waste as well.
Finally, the close-minded, racist, old-fashioned party is just not something that young people will go out of their way to support. I think it will take a while for the GOP to get rid of this stuff and it will take more than one election cycle to do it.
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