Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s loss to President Barack Obama put the Republican Party at a crossroads on a national scale. During the 2012 campaign, the GOP struggled to remain intact and keep a unified message. While Romney attempted to keep the focus on the economy and jobs, the prevalence of controversial social issues on the national scene exposed weakness in his campaign and in the vision of the party.
Attacks by both sides demonized the opposition, making it unequivocally difficult to heal a tense and worried America following a presidential campaign.
The lack of a unifying message from Republicans made it relatively easy and effective for President Obama’s campaign team to define him by attacking Romney’s success in business and portraying him as out of touch with the majority of Americans. Romney is criticized in a similar way because he allowed others to portray the president as an out-of-touch socialist who is not of American descent.
We need only to look to Florida for a prime focus of a fractured GOP.
Despite being out of the campaign picture, Gov. Rick Scott’s affirmation that Florida’s economy is on the rise directly contradicted Romney’s main argument that the economy has stagnated at best and that a new direction is required. These contrasting arguments only undermined the efforts of the GOP to complete a viable campaign.
Refusing to adjust to a new American electorate, Romney’s nomination appealed to a version of America that does not take into account the growing influence of minorities. Despite being a decent candidate, enthusiasm for his candidacy never took off.
The majority of voters seemed to vote either for or against President Obama; people who were against him settled for Romney. The Obama campaign thrived in this regard and ran a highly effective campaign that looked to America’s future. To be highly effective going forward, the Republican Party must use this defeat to redefine itself and appeal to a wider range of voters.
Beginning with the primary process, the GOP failed to present a winning strategy in 2012. The party relied on past strategies that, unfortunately for Republicans, do not apply anymore.
Party leaders should cede their statuses to a younger generation that is more in touch with the issues of the day. This process starts now.
Despite being viewed as the main culprits for arguably the most unproductive Congress in American history, Republicans can start a new chapter rebranding their image by working with the president and compromising with him. This option can no longer be taboo and is absolutely necessary for the country to avoid reaching and to overcome the fiscal cliff.
As we grow up, we come to understand the thrill of winning.
There is no greater feeling than competing, winning and hoisting the trophy after victory.
With respect to our party politics, we must overcome this sensation.
If we maintain this state, we will reach the fiscal cliff and fall off it, leaving the majority of the American public with a long-lasting sense of financial uncertainty.
The state of affairs is no longer sustainable. We will be victorious only if we are willing to hoist the trophy together.
Compromise is key, and for our issues to be resolved, we must have two strong political parties open to self-evaluation and are willing to provide an outstretched arm instead of a pointed finger or a clenched fist.
Matthew Schnur is an economics freshman at UF. His column appears on Wednesdays. You can contact him via opinions@alligator.org.
