Republicans Must Adapt

I wrote a piece on U.S. News today stressing the need for the Republican Party to adapt to the new political environment, while holding true to the conservative ideals it has espoused (even if it has not always lived up to).

Republicans must develop a compelling narrative as to why their party should be trusted with the task of governing. In short, Republicans must demonstrate a wiliness to become Republican again. And this time, they need to mean it.

Republicans cannot depend on President-elect Barack Obama and the increased Democratic majorities in Congress overreaching and pushing legislation unacceptable to the American public. To be sure, the Democrats could do that, but any strategy for a Republican resurgence that depends solely on the overzealousness of Democrats will fail. Similarly, depending on the Democrats under-reaching and antagonizing their base is not a recipe for success.

The Republican Party has a new generation of positive, hopeful leadership. They will need this — expanding the pie, after watching it shrink in successive elections, is no easy task.