Unsolicited advice for Senate Republicans

By now you know that Republicans have retaken control of the Senate and will set the agenda going forward.  This is a fantastic opportunity for the party, but brings in the possibility of certain pitfalls as well.  With an eye towards the 2016 elections, here is my unsolicited advice for Senate Republicans.
 
There are a few things to understand before we get into any specifics.
 
{mosads}First, understand that what you do in the coming Congress is of vital importance to the party.  The press, activists, donors and voters will be watching you like hawks.  What you do will signal the direction of the party before our presidential candidates fully take over that responsibility.  The issues you decide to pursue and ignore will illustrate to all what the party thinks is important and what it doesn’t. 
 
Second, understand that what you do, starting now, will have a lot to do with how well-positioned the party is going into the 2016 elections.  And while there was a lot of hyperbole about the 2014 elections being the most important ever, the 2016 contest might actually be the most important election, at least in my lifetime.  It’s vitally important the party is well-positioned when the country decides what direction it will go in the post-Obama world.
 
Finally, understand that I would never advise any politician to vote or speak against their conscience.  That does not, however, mean that every waking thought must be spoken aloud and into a microphone.  What I am going to suggest is a measured and thoughtful approach to 114th Congress. 
 
Now on to the actual suggestions. 
 
Focus on kitchen table issues.  Keep a tight focus on promoting a conservative pro-growth agenda.  Non-binding resolutions condemning the President aren’t going to help your average American.  Legislation to strengthen the economy so that jobs can be created, to fix a broken tax code so more Americans keep more of their pay and more companies invest in creating jobs here in America, to keep the costs of energy and healthcare down so they’re more affordable, to improve education standards and lower the costs; these are issues that will help average Americans and help secure their vote.
 
Don’t fight against yourselves.  Look at your colleagues in the House.  They are constantly fighting in public.  Avoid this.  There are naturally going to be differences of opinion, especially between the conservative and moderate wings of the party.  But you’re the upper chamber.  Act like it and discuss your differences between closed doors.  Don’t argue in the press, on the floor, or in committee.  Argue in your offices or in the cloakroom. 
 
Make the Democrats the party of no.  For too long Republicans have been cast as the party of no.  But so long as you are taking sensible legislation to the floor, we can change that.  Let the Democrats filibuster a jobs bill.  Let the President veto a tax bill.  Let the Democrats take that mantel as the party of no. 
 
But don’t ignore the Democrats.  You need to work with Democrats.  There is one in the White House after all.  So sit with your colleagues from across the aisle and find out what issues you can work together on.  The party is characterized as being a bunch of ideologues who are unwilling or unable to compromise.  We know this isn’t true.  But now we can prove it by working concertedly on select issues where there is bipartisan agreement, and doing our part to get things done.
 
Show the House how to do it.  Some folks think that Democrats are licking their chops at the prospect of running against the Republican Congress in 2016.  I’m sure Hilary Clinton has thought about it at the very least.  It doesn’t have to be that way, though.  If you can send good legislation over to the House for a vote, you can show them the way.  You can help them to govern. 
 
Be the party of ideas.  Seek new solutions to the new problems facing our country.  Use the influx of new Senators with new ideas.  Look to the states and see what they are doing. Heck, even look at what other countries are doing. Do whatever it takes to develop a positive, forward-looking agenda that showcases Republicans aren’t stuck in the muck. 
 
All of this is really quite simple in the end.  Show leadership.  Be positive.  Promote an agenda.  Keep the focus on solutions that will positively affect average families.  In other words: Govern. 
  
Blum is a senior communications strategist with Mair Strategies, LLC who previously served as a Republican campaign operative for Gov. Scott Walker (2012), Sen. Rob Portman (2010), and the Republican National Committee (2008).