GOP dilemma: draw new voters without irking base

[UCmeNdc]

Arizona-based Republican consultant Eddie Mahe said finding a charismatic candidate is more important than tweaking policies. Given Americans' low opinion of politics, he said, "to sell the party as a party is nonsensical."

Instead, Mahe said, Republicans must pick a nominee who appeals "to the non-voters, disinterested voters, the uninformed — whatever you want to call them — who are attracted to a personality, someone they feel good about."

The Republican who comes closest to that description, he said, is Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, a tea party favorite. But Mahe said he doubts she could win a general election.



http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/us_politics/2013/05/gop_dilemma_draw_new_voters_without_irking_base

[tridim]

1. I "feel good about" Bachmann as the GOP candidate. Make it so!

[Freddie]

2. That's how they stay in power on a state/local level

Like my Repug state rep. He's really a nice guy, shows up at all the local functions (school concerts, grand openings), knows countless people by name. His office is very quick to respond to when needed. I know him personally and I really don't think he's a RWNJ but back in Harrisburg he votes in lockstep with his party as expected. The average citizen of course dosen't think of that, just "well he may be a Republican but he's a really nice guy and he helped Grandpa that one time." So people split thier ticket to vote for him. Multiply that by countless districts in every state.

[NCLefty]

3. I think Christie has some of this kind of appeal.

But having that kind of appeal also makes you likely to never get the GOP nomination. They're all about purity and towing the party line and will be for the foreseeable future.

[Kablooie]

4. If I were them I'd jettison the base and work on recruiting a new base.

The one they have now is destined to pull them down to oblivion.

[Sunlei]

5. gop will never get away from their 'created, fiction, fake shallow politicans' with the kind of

evil rot they have in their core 'Leadership'.

Look at how they have to spend billions,avoid the real press, avoid public questions, lie, cheat for votes, to hold together many of their gop elected today.

[Tom Ripley]

6. An impossible task, and they know; that's why they are concentrating on voter suppression