Republicans once said that the opportunities this nation has to offer rest not in government but rather in the hands of individuals. Over the past decade or so, however, we Republicans lost our way. The disparity between our rhetoric and our action grew until our credibility snapped. It wasn't the fault of our ideals. It was the failure of our leadership.
Over time, our principles morphed into baser motives. Continued political dominance grew more important to those who led us than the noble vision most of us originally signed on for. And to maintain power we turned to the controls of government -- we became the party of big government. We behaved like Democrats.
True, the country has changed and our party must adapt. However, it is wrong to believe we must change our principles or become conservative-lite. After all, the voters did not suddenly become liberal; but they have lost any sense of confidence that the Republican Party holds the answers to their problems.
Most Americans today see a Republican Party that defines itself by what it is against rather than what it is for. We can tell you why public schools aren't working, but not articulate a compelling vision for how we'll better educate children. We're well equipped to rail against tax increases; but can't begin to explain how we'll help the poor. We exclude far better than we welcome.
Things were different as recently as 20 years ago. Back then, Ronald Reagan made it cool to be a Republican -- it wasn't just his specific policies, but the timeless truths he so eloquently gave voice to, and upon which his policies were based. That's the Republican Party we must re-establish.
We must articulate a positive vision for America's future that speaks to Americans' hopes, concerns and needs. It's time to stop defining ourselves by what we are not, and tell voters what we believe, how we'll lead, and where we'll go; how we Republicans will make America better; how we'll make their families more prosperous, their children better educated, their parents more secure, and all of us healthier, safer and stronger.
Our challenge lies not in beating Democrats, but in uniting around a message that solidifies our ranks and attracts new people to our cause. We have to listen to what Americans are telling us about their hopes, desires and needs, and then translate that message into proposals for meaningful action squarely grounded on the values we Republicans have always stood for.
Our faith in the power and ingenuity of the individual to build a nation through hard work, personal responsibility and self-discipline is our uniting principle. That is the sacred ground upon which our Republican Party was built. For the sake of all Americans, it is the ground we must reclaim.
Mr. Steele is chairman of GOPAC, a Republican political-action committee that recruits and trains new candidates, campaign staff and activists.
I am hereby endorsing Michael Steele for RNC Chairman.
Based on the following.
A: HE GETS IT! He's absolutely right that the GOP doesn't say what we need to do to help people's lives. We can scream "TAX CUTS, TAX CUTS, TAX CUTS" but all the DEMS will say is that it only helps the super rich (Which isn't entirely true) we need a better way of communicating how that benefits the middle-class as well.
B: Newt is OLD NEWS. I'm sorry nothing serious against Newt, but his time has come and gone. If we pick him as an RNC leader it will just look like more of the same old Beltway Boys. Plus I don't think Newt is as down to earth as Steele is. Newt was also in AL GORE'S COMMERCIAL "WE CAN SOLVE IT" which is a "Green Socialist" movement AGAINST more oil drilling, no coal, no energy except for what Gore wants.
C: Don't tell me that I don't like Obama because he's African American because Michael Steele is a BLACK REPUBLICAN. But that's not why I'm endorsing him for RNC Chairman, with BOTH Obama and Steele it is their Ideology that I either DISAGREE or AGREE WITH. However on another note it would be great to have an African American as the RNC Chairman so that we can have our "Nyeeah! Naa! See we're not racist" moment either. After all we are the party that freed the slaves and that elected the first African Americans to the Senate WAY BACK in the late 1800's.
Please GOP...DON'T PICK NEWT or Huckabee just because of their high statis. We need...sigh pardon my pun....CHANGE in the GOP. We've lost 2 Elections in a row. Thanks to morons like Newt's strategies. Steele can get us some new members.
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