First, the state GOP needs leaders who understand that there is a problem with the state GOP. Stated somewhat differently, anyone who believes that 2006 and 2008 were anomalous aberrations, the former on account of the Iraq war and the latter due to the economic tsunami that struck Wall Street, and that consequently Republicans do not need to make any major changes, is the wrong choice.
Second, the person needs to understand the problem. The problem is not, as former Governor John H. Sununu recently suggested simply that the state GOP has not run “serious candidates” against Governor Lynch. It is far worse than that. The state GOP has turned itself into an irrelevancy to the voters, while Lynch is seen as a problem-solver.
Consider Lynch’s first term, 2004-2006, which was the last time that Republicans held majorities in the Legislature. The signature legislative initiatives were yet another byzantine education funding plan and a same-sex marriage commission. These issues do not resonate with voters concerned about kitchen-table issues such as the rising cost of health care, the failure of public schools to get any bang-for-the buck and higher taxes.
Moreover, Republicans failed to deliver. Their education funding plan was struck down by the Supreme Court, which left voters with the impression that Republicans could not solve problems. Worse, they diminished themselves. The marriage commission was conducted like it was part Jerry Springer show, part medieval inquisition, while its chairman regularly unleashed Captain Queeg type outbursts against Governor Lynch, dissenting members and skeptical press.
Anyone who fails to understand that the problem that Republicans have is that they have made themselves irrelevant to the voters is the wrong choice to lead the state GOP.
Third, the person needs to understand how to solve the problem. The solution is neither opposing Lynch simply for the sake of opposing Lynch nor offering a watered-down version of whatever Lynch is serving. When Lynch takes positions consistent with GOP principles, for example his opposition to broad-based taxes, the state GOP should support him. But on other issues Republicans need to present a credible conservative alternative to New Hampshire voters. For example, Republicans need to stop talking about funding public education and start talking about reforming public education.
Finally, Republicans need some fresh faces. For example, electing Gene Chandler Minority Leader would be the equivalent of Congressional Republicans bringing back former Minority Leader Bob Michel. Both are reputedly cordial gentlemen, but both are seriously lacking in what the first President Bush called the vision thing. In other words, what the state GOP needs is real change agents.
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[...] Ed Mosca has a blog entry up about this that is somewhat interesting. [...]