Does the McDonnell Campaign Offer a GOP Roadmap to Victory?

Posted by Mark Noonan in Campaign 2009, Conservative Truth, Republicans on November 23rd, 2009 at 02:54pm with 3 responses.
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Click here to get Caucus of Corruption: The Truth About The New Democratic Majority by Matt Margolis and Mark Noonan.

Politico reports on the recent Republican Governors Association meeting:

While Republicans posted two hard-fought gubernatorial victories on Nov. 3, McDonnell’s path to victory is the one that most encourages the GOP, a remarkable case of a social conservative who made his name in politics as an abortion opponent yet managed to reverse a Democratic trend in Virginia and shellack his opponent by nearly 18 percent while largely steering clear of cultural issues.

As rejuvenated GOP governors gathered at a resort outside Austin for their annual strategy session there was little doubt who they wanted to spotlight. McDonnell was shown off at nearly every public event, paraded before the reporters, consultants and lobbyists here as the example of how Republicans can find swing state success in the Obama era.

There are two lessons we can take out of the McDonnell victory:

1. Run away from social issues and talk up the economy.

2. Remain firm on social issues but also hammer the Democrats on the economy and government reform.

If we take “1″, we’ll lose. While some people of RINOish tendencies might want to pretend they can win without social conservative support, the plain fact of the matter is that McDonnell won his crushing victory because he had on board social conservatives, economic conservatives and independents who don’t feel strongly either way, but who like to vote for people who appear trustworthy – had McDonnell abandoned his social conservatism, he might not have won at all, and if he did win, it would have been by a narrow margin.

So, there is a “McDonnell Path” to victory for the GOP – but it requires courage; the courage to stand fast for what one believes is right while also working hard to appeal to people who might not be with you on all issues, but are open to supporting you because of the plans you bring to the table.

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Mark Noonan is co-author (with Matt Margolis) of Caucus of Corruption: The Truth About The New Democratic Majority. He also blogs at Nevada News and Views. Follow Mark on Twitter.

3 Responses to “Does the McDonnell Campaign Offer a GOP Roadmap to Victory?”

  1. cluster says:
    November 23, 2009 at 6:50 pm

    Create jobs, cut government spending, lower the deficit, & become energy independent.

  2. retiredspook says:
    November 23, 2009 at 10:01 pm

    If you’ve ever heard McDonnell speak, it wouldn’t be hard to imagine him or someone like him emerging as a national Conservative leader. And I think the only way the Republican Party is going to get back to its conservative roots is to have someone who is a Conservative first and a Republican second lead the way.

  3. js02 says:
    November 23, 2009 at 11:13 pm

    just do the right thing

    that doesnt mean take bribes…it doesnt mean pacify the pro life movement and then ignore them after you get elected…it doesnt mean give lip service to noble ideals up till the end of the election…and then go back to spending money you dont have…

    it means…do the right thing…a second contract with america is a brainless fart…the first one turned out to be a sham…why would anybody sign a contract with someone who broke the last one?