Republicans Cannot Forget: Ideas Matter
Sunday, November 11th, 2007Commentary - Richmond Times Dispatch
Sunday, Nov 11, 2007 - 12:04 AM
By GEORGE ALLEN
In the wake of Tuesday’s election setbacks, many Virginia Republicans are asking what we can do to reverse the Democrats’ political gains of recent years.
That’s the wrong question.
We should be asking, “What innovative ideas can we offer that will make life markedly better in our commonwealth? What agenda of honest, positive change should we advance that will inspire the people of Virginia?”
If we answer that question, the politics will take care of itself.
Republicans last led the executive branch and gained legislative seats in Virginia in the 1990s. That happened not because of partisanship, but because we advanced a transformational policy agenda. We offered new ideas grounded in common-sense conservative principles that spoke to the clearly felt needs and highest aspirations of Virginia’s people.
Our creative changes brought high academic standards and accountability to public education, reformed welfare, spurred unprecedented economic investment and job creation, made Virginians markedly safer, made college more affordable, strengthened families,and helped catapult our commonwealth to the forefront of technological innovation.
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November 12th, 2007 at 12:42 am
I agree. I’ve often overlooked this simple question — how to “inspire” Virginians.
November 12th, 2007 at 11:03 am
Is it just me or do I smell a stump speech. I agree wholeheartedly with the verdict on the elections for Virginia’s legislature. Governor Allen and Richard Viguerie both hit the nail on the head. The day after the election many warned that the moderate wing of the GOP would trumpet the results as a need to move away from bold reforms and a conservative agenda. With all due respect to Senator Warner he couldn’t be more wrong on his assessment that the GOP must have a Big Tent. JD Davis tried to mimic a Democrat on guns and taxes and was crushed as a result. Republicans must return to our roots and regain the public’s trust on taxes while pushing reforms in transportation and education while never abandoning our commitment to our social values. Please keep more columns like this coming. Virginia conservatives need sound leadership now more then ever.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
I saw this article from the blog Bacon’s Rebellion. It was very insightful on how narrow the Democrat’s triumph was on Election Day. http://www.baconsrebellion.com/Issues07/11-12/Thompson.php
November 13th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
The Democrats are winning Northern Virginia because the Republicans, especially the “Republicans” in the Senate, kept raising taxes after Jim Gilmore left office.
NoVa is fiscally conservative and socially moderate. If the Republicans cannot run as fiscal conservatives due to raising taxes, then of course the Northern Virginia suburbs will see no difference between the Republicans and Democrats on fiscal issues, and so they vote Democrat due to social issues.