Republicans respond to my column

Less than 24 hours after I wrote a column explaining why Republicans don't deserve to win the 2014 midterm election next month because of their total failure to craft a coherent national message, many of you received what seemed like an official direct response to my criticism.

Maybe the timing was a coincidence.

I had blasted the party for not nationalizing the election with a positive, forward-looking statement of principles and action items – something akin to Newt Gingrich's "Contract With America."

Here's what Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, wrote in his fundraising email:

"Today, our Party has announced a framework for governing that we are calling the 'Principles for American Renewal.' These 11 principles touch on a range of topics: jobs, spending, health care, veterans, national security, education, poverty, values, energy, and immigration. But the first and most important principle to the Republican Party is about the Constitution. As our nation's guiding document, the Constitution must be preserved, honored and valued."

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He also seemed to address directly my point that Republicans can't just make the election a referendum on Barack Obama without providing an alternative vision. Priebus said: "Many have labeled this midterm election a referendum on the policies of President Obama. In many ways, it is. But, more importantly, this election is a vote FOR a better America through the Republican Party's positive, principled, conservative policies. It's urgent that we outline what it is we stand for – not just against – as Republicans. And it's important that we lay out what a vote for the Republican Party means.

"The overarching vision of the Republican Party is a country that offers equal opportunity for everyone – an equal chance at the American Dream," Priebus continued. "In pursuit of that vision, our Party's three core values have long been a strong economy, a strong society and a strong defense. Our Principles for American Renewal are the central ideas that support our core values."

You can read the Principles for American Renewal here and decide for yourself if the GOP is catching on sufficiently to inspire a landslide victory next month. The hour is late. But, as they say, better late than never.

I think it hits the high points, without much in the way of specifics:

Preserving, valuing and honoring the Constitution;
Growing the economy;
Balancing the budget and reducing debt;
Starting over on health-care reform;
Making sure our health-care promises to veterans are honored;
Keeping America safe and secure militarily, through energy independence and secure borders;
A commitment to family, life and liberty.

It's a start.

But it will take a lot more to get this message out to the American people in time to get them to the polls.

This kind of messaging has to take place every day – election year or not. That's what the Democrats do so effectively. They're better communicators – even though their policies are ineffective and counterproductive and based on lies and deception.

And what about the failures of Republican leaders in the House and Senate? Aren't they the very people who will be responsible for the agenda that is being promised? Why should we expect them to be more accountable in the future when they have accommodated Barack Obama's policies since 2011 when Republicans took control of the House?

These are thorny questions not likely to be addressed by Priebus or any other party official.

In 1994, it was Gingrich, the Republican leader of the House, who crafted the message and led the fight to nationalize the election behind a coherent vision. It's impossible even to imagine John Boehner and Mitch McConnell doing anything like that in 2014.

Are the Principles of American Renewal too little too late?

You decide.

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