Politics: Habeas GOP

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Politics Habeas GOP The Republican Party's autopsy of its 2012 loss puts political expediency over principles. Now it just needs to find a body to lead it. By John Dickerson Posted Tuesday, Mar 19, 2013, at 12:08 AM ET If the first step to recovery is admitting you have problem, then can you speed the process by being really frank about it? The Republican National Committee is testing this theory. The RNC "autopsy" on the 2012 election is a bracing critique. Formally known as the "Growth and Opportunity Project," its authors say that at the national level, Republicans turn off all but the most faithful. It sharpens its critique by quoting focus groups of former Republicans who described the party as "scary," "narrow minded," "out of touch," and as the party of "stuffy, old men." If they admit it all now, and fast, they'll be on the road to recovery in time for 2016 Unless Republicans broaden the base of the party by reaching out to minorities, women, and young voters in new ways, says the report, "it will be increasingly difficult for Republicans to win another presidential election in the near future." Do you disagree? If you do, it might be because you're cocooned in a party that has become expert in "how to provide ideological reinforcement to like-minded people" but has long lost the ability to persuade anyone who isn't already an elephant-pin-wearing member. The 100-page document, compiled by veteran Republican operatives, including Henry Barbour and George Bush's press secretary Ari Fleischer, lands (thump!) in the middle of a raucous debate.* What does the Republican Party stand for? How much must it change? Who knows the way out of the wilderness? Is it ... To continue reading, click here. Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum What did you think of this article? POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES Also In Slate Indefinite Articles When Autocorrect Isn't to Blame The Rent Is Too Damn High for Minimum-Wage Workers	Advertisement
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