GOP Governors: Party's Future Does Not Look 'Grand'

After Election Day 2008 had ended, it was the GOP that was dealt the critical loss. Democratic nominee Senator Barack Obama of Illinois won over GOP nominee Senator John McCain of Arizona by a landslide victory. But, this was just the start of things. There were other campaign races to keep close watch on. So far, the Democrats have scored big in both houses of the United States Congress. Democrats have gotten close to the “Magic 60” needed to override filibusters. Democratic Senator Charles Schumer of New York said that even with about 57 seats, the Democrats could get a lot done. Schumer said that there is the ability to get support from moderate Republicans. However, there are still a few Senate seats up for grabs. So far, GOP governors have assessed the situation. According to them, things look very unsavory of for the party. They explain that the GOP is not well equipped to serve a changing country. The Republican Governors Association had met in Biscayne Bay in Miami, Florida on Wednesday, November 12 to discuss and assess the situation. GOP cited many things such as corruption, the tax issue, and the advantage of technology. It was the advantage of technology that tremendously helped the campaign for Obama. “We cannot be a majority governing party when we essentially cannot compete in the Northeast, we are losing are ability to compete in Great Lakes states, we cannot compete on the West Coast, we are increasingly in danger of competing in the mid-Atlantic states, and the Democrats are now willing some of the Western states,” said GOP Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota. Pawlenty said that this is the wrong equation for being a majority governing party. He explains that the GOP cannot compete if they have a deficit in support from women, Hispanics, African-Americans, and to middle income voters. However, Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana was blunt. He said: “They fired us with cause.” He attacked Alaska Senator Ted Stevens on the conviction on the charges of corruption. Jindal focused on the corruption within the party. Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, the VP running-mate of McCain, was not present at the meeting. Frank Lutz, an expert in communications and polls pointed out the problems the GOP have with the youth vote. It was the youth vote that played a crucial role in Obama’s strong support and eventual victory. Lutz explained that Obama had millions of e-mail names. He pointed out by saying that McCain didn’t know how to use a BlackBerry. At the end, the governors could be able to help the GOP recover from its critical wounds. According to Utah Governor Jon Huntsman Jr., the GOP governors should show the country how to apply the core principles of the party to deal with problems. He adds that the party should focus on the “important issues.” From what the GOP governors have said, the GOP, let alone them have a lot of work ahead of them. While talking about what they should do is one thing. It is a different thing when it comes to application. Overall, it looks as if the GOP has a long road ahead of itself. The future of the GOP may well rest in the hands of its governors.