The modern conservatives have made the republican party a powerful political force in the post Roosevelt era. The democrats have only one two term president since the last Roosevelt victory in 1944. We have had seven democratic presidents since that 1944 election. Only three of those candidates received more than 50% of the vote. Lyndon Johnson won a large victory in 1964. Jimmy Carter barely broke 50% in 1976 and Barack Obama received over 52% of the vote in 2008. That is sixteen presidential elections and only three times receiving over 50% of the vote. The republicans lost congress in 2006 and the presidency in 2008. Now the question arises about how to change the message to get back on the winning track

The message is not the problem. The conservative message is the right message. It is one the people respond to. The problem is twofold. One is poorly run campaigns. The second is failure to achieve conservative goals. There are many contrasting opinions within the conservative movement. One of the unifying points is reducing the size of government. Republicans have promised for years to reduce the size and scope of government. However, when they have the power it is never accomplished. Republicans are just as responsible as democrats for the growth in government. When we can’t accomplish a goal we are united on then we don’t deserve to be in power. The American people have been patient and have given the republicans opportunity and it was wasted.

Ronald Reagan brought together a coalition that would still be in place if the republicans would have followed through on their conservative principles. The democrats would have been forced to abandon their serfdom to the extreme left. America is a center right country politically. The democrats are out of touch and have been for years. Their candidates do not share the views of the majority of Americans. This leads to the second problem with the republicans.

The democrats have out campaigned the republicans. The 2008 campaign exemplifies this as well as any. The first problem was our failure to select a solid conservative candidate. I like John McCain and respect him. I do not see him as a solid conservative that can unite the base. I think this was proved when we lost states like Indiana and North Carolina. Secondly, in 2008 we did not stress the issues that the majority of Americans respond to. The democrats controlled the issue debate. Naturally, they pointed out the mistakes of the republicans. McCain was forced into a game of defending Bush and trying to separate himself at the same time. This did not work as we are all aware.

The republicans are on a dangerous path. They are in danger of pushing conservatives into the arms of third parties. This will fracture the conservative vote as it is split over various parties. This is not good for America. The republicans have the ideas and beliefs that most Americans believe. They have lost their voice and their courage. It is not popular to be right in Washington. It is more popular to be go along and get along. Republicans need to get back to being popular with the people outside of Washington. The history of liberalism is full of failure because the policies fail. Conservatism can only fail when the leaders fail. Our ides are right for now and always. Republicans do not give up on principle for short term gain.