The GOP primary candidates are revealing common threads in
their strategies besides the past year GOP themes. While the past issue
positions still are referenced, they are also attempting to do as much damage
to their presumed opponent Hillary Clinton early in the game since she still
polls well ahead of any announced and unannounced Republican candidates.
Many individual voters still ask elected officials “what
have you done for me lately” . Off-setting
pocket book issues in the minds of voters are party affiliation, demographic identification, the importance of
ideology over other considerations, and personal dislike of the candidate’s traits. Which
traits are important vary depending on party affiliation. “Caring for people
like me” is important to Democrats”, for Republicans,” trustworthiness, strong
leader”.
The GOP presidential
candidates are all now hanging their hats on ideology and attacking Clinton’s
trustworthiness. Those hooks have weaknesses outside the GOP base in a general
election. Clinton’s strategy is to focus on what she would do to solve problems
plaguing “kitchen table” concerns.
Clinton can put the GOP ideologues on the spot who say they
“want to take back America”. She can
challenge them to be specific about just what programs they want to eliminate
and whose middle class ox they would gore.
By just saying “no” to whatever Clinton proposes and not offering credible
alternatives to solving the same problems, they will appear to be not caring.
Some GOP aspirants have proposed constructive ideas, but if there are hints
that government has a new or continuing role or they would cost any upper
income taxpayer a dime, there are plenty in the GOP waiting to shoot them down.
GOP candidates to date have launched a campaign of character
assassination. Their theme is that Clinton is an untrustworthy person because
she kept her own email server, and seems secretive and untruthful. That she used her personal email was never a
secret in Washington since everyone who communicated with her in the State
Department saw her email address on the
“from” line. Stonewalling requests from Congress is an inside beltway political
game. She broke rules, but unless somehow the contents of her emails are
discovered to disclose back dealings, that issue will not have much resonance with
those who are more consumed with solving daily problems.
One weak hook is Benghazi, held up as an example of incompetence
or dishonesty. Never mind after two years of Congressional investigation, the
Republican dominated Congressional committee concluded screw ups were the CIA’s
fault, not the State Department’s. Ben Ghazi is old news that has never gotten
traction outside the GOP base.
Some try to paint her resume as weak. That argument is a
tough sell. No emerging GOP candidate has a comparable depth of experience in
foreign or domestic affairs.
A new attack is Clinton does not represent the future. Being the first woman president is the future
to many. Polls are showing that factor
has only widened the gender gap that plagues the GOP. For others, solving problems left over from
the past is their future.
Political Institutions in the United States, p 99;
Richard S. Katz, Oxford University Press
Public Opinion and Polling Around the World, Vol. 1,
John Gray Geer, ABC/CLIO, p.46
A version of this appeared in the www.skyhidailynews.com 4/23/15
A version of this appeared in the www.skyhidailynews.com 4/23/15
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