It’s the hot topic on political talk shows and it’s discussed ad nauseum in Republican circles: where is the GOP headed? Recent public setbacks, including the loss of Congressional majority, have many Republicans questioning the direction the party should take in order to rebuild.
Monday evening I had the pleasure of participating in a panel discussion at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco. The topic of the evening was—you guessed it—“The Future of the Republican Party.” Fellow panelists Congressman Devin Nunes (R-21) and Nicholas Romero, California Young Americans for Freedom communications director, and I discussed our opinions on the subject. Many insights were shared, mostly regarding Republicans’ need to articulate conservative principles and then execute once in power. This is the crux of the problem for current Republicans, but when it comes to the party’s future, the focus should be recruiting young people—future voters.
Fox News Channel recently aired a special called “The Y Factor” that reported on the potential impact the Millennial generation could have on the November election. Millennials, age 14-28, are approximately 80 million strong and they’ve taken an active interest in this year’s presidential race. My age falls within the Millennial generation definition, and what concerns me about my peers’ political involvement is how so many have flocked, blindly, to a politician like Barack Obama.
Millennials are inherently relational, seeking a much more connected community, and they value honesty and authenticity. But having grown up in a digital age, they can also fall prey to the media’s slick packaging—especially of a charismatic candidate like Obama. So far, it seems that young people are drawn to the idealistic but frustratingly vague platitudes proffered by Obama. “Change we can believe in.” “Hope for the future.” Although these bromides sound fresh and exhilarating, they are all style and no substance.
And as Nicholas pointed out during our panel discussion on Monday, Obama is setting himself up for failure with such lofty promises of a utopian America. His bright-eyed, youthful followers are bound to be disappointed when their ethereal hero encounters “the real world” of governing a nation with mundane problems.
This is where Republicans—and conservatives—have their opportunity to contrast our beliefs and solutions with Democrats and liberals. Ronald Reagan is known as the Great Communicator for his stylish presentation of conservatism—but the core of his message was substantive conservative philosophy. As soon as Republicans embrace the Reagan legacy by once again articulating conservatism’s time-tested solutions, we can start winning young voters. Instead of shunning our heritage of brilliant intellectual and political leaders, Republicans need to “go back to the future.”
This will require making some “uncool” decisions—the antithesis of the pop culture enamored of Obama. Reigning in deficit spending and entitlement programs isn’t popular, but it’s necessary. We need to explain the importance of sound fiscal policy in language young voters will understand. A strong national defense isn’t warm and fuzzy, but it’s crucial to our nation’s safety. We need to explain how America can remain a beacon of hope in the world only so long as we walk softly and carry a big stick. Defending traditional values in an increasingly hedonistic society is definitely unhip. We need to explain that the traditional family and personal morality are the cornerstone of a healthy, prosperous civilization.
Conservatives know that our political philosophy, when implemented, works. It’s now up to Republicans to promote conservative leaders who can express our beliefs. And once such leaders are elected, the party should wholeheartedly support them as they choose long-term solutions over political expediency.
Young voters respond to an inspiring and practical political message—Reagan proved that when he inspired a whole generation of new young conservatives. The key to the Republican Party’s future lies in reaching out to young people and unashamedly proclaiming conservative beliefs.
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children what it was once like in the United States when men were free.” –Ronald Reagan
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