Rebranding Republicanism

Too many Americans have a distorted view of what Republicans stand for.

Here is an abbreviated chapter from my book, Trump’s Reckoning, where I deal with the recent surge in Republicans leaving their party:

“I believe it is time to redefine Republicanism. Why? Because too many Americans have a distorted view of what Republicans stand for.

Ask any college student why they vote Democratic and they will tell you because Republicans are the party of the rich, of corporations that exploit workers, and because Republican conservatives want to subjugate women and minorities, and live in an era that has passed regarding social issues like gay marriage, sexual and racial discrimination and the use of marijuana.

I would suggest that characterizing conservatives in this way is wrong, but will I win many conversions by drilling down into the unintended consequences of top down political correctness and ‘social justice’ legislation? No.

So Republicans are left with pushing economic reasons and self interest in keeping the government out of our lives as the most effective way to bring more benefits directly to all citizens. But this ignores the nature of our emerging digital sharing society that most X’Gens and Millennials have been raised with, and a party to, all of their lives.

OK, so how do we redefine the idea of Republicanism? Of how self determination and the lifting of the economic tide raises all boats?

The truth is Trump may not be defining the new Republicanism, but he has definitely shown that the Old Guard is increasingly irrelevant.

A new definition may still be a few elections away, but you cannot deny that the voters are yearning for a new direction and new leadership. One obvious element in Trump’s favor is the image of fearlessness. Donald Trump has shown that having a command of legislative and foreign relations is not particularly important. What his supporters are indicating is that they like his commitment to America First, his strong support of law and order and his unflappable defense of Americanism.

This is reminiscent of Teddy Roosevelt, John Kennedy and even Dwight Eisenhower. As Republicans, we have always favored the concept of American Exceptionalism. But the opposition has managed to turn that once noble identity into a negative image of intolerance and arrogance. Instead of pure nationalism, our party leaders have focused on financial issues like tax policy, school choice, and anti-unionism.

All of these relatively narrow concepts leave enormous numbers of young voters, and minorities, standing at the station while the train pulls away.They are too young to relate to the tax issues, they have been taught to respect unions, because they ‘fight for the little guy’ and for them school was easy, so why do we need dual, competing systems funded by taxpayers?

So what is the ideal new image for a redefined Republican Party?

I believe it needs to start with women’s issues. Just like how Republicanism grew out of slavery and the conflict over whether it was morally justified to own another human being, women’s rights are still an unresolved thorn in the side of our American culture. It also represents a microcosm of what divides the entire planet; can man dictate terms of existence to another man or is that the job of God? And which God would that be?

Turning women into just another man is not attractive to women, either. No, Republicans should look at women as different, but equal. Give women credit for their uniquely feminine attributes and abilities, but don’t expect them to act like, or even want to be like men. Just like in a family, women and men play different, but important roles. Working in the political arena should be no different.

As Republicans, we should champion those differences with a deep and abiding respect.

If we look around the world, the more women are respected by a culture, the healthier and more dynamic the economy and the body politic is. It is so rare that as the leader in gender equality and respect, America reinforces human dignity and liberty across the globe.

Therefore, I believe nationalism is an appropriate platform for our Party. On the other side of the aisle, the Progressives (formerly known as Democrats) are all in for globalism. Their lackadaisical attitude toward security flies in the face of family safety; Opening the doors to your home to any passerby is not the best way to provide a secure environment for any family.

Our priority as Republicans must be to protect our family first. So I believe Republicanism is synonymous with what I call Familyism.

It is about starting every day with the idea that your family comes first, then the family of your community, and then your state, and then your country. Even Tucker Carlson would agree with that.

By taking care of and providing safety and security for your extended family, you are actively supporting what the founding fathers envisioned for the United States of America, a family of individual states and communities, all with different personality types, but all pulling the collective boat in the same direction.

We are all roots and branches of the same tree, America.

It is time for Republicans to embrace and brand ourselves with a new definition, a new motto, a new moral imperative: “The Family First Party ( formerly known as the Republican Party).