Thought Experiment: What would a "Reformed" Republican Party Look Like, Exactly?

[Proud Liberal Dem]

Let's just say that the Republicans (establishment) seriously decide that they want to completely overhaul their party and make a sincere effort to "reform" themselves, not only on style but also on substance. What would the Republican Party look like if they told all those teabagger loons that they brought in in 2009-2010 to just get lost? My guess is that we'd probably see the Bush II-era "Karl Rove" Republicans again but I'm not sure. The Republicans started to really go off the rails during the Newt Gingrich House-era though there were still more "moderate" Republicans back then (whom were actually ALLOWED to be "moderate&quot able and willing to curb and stand up to some of the Gingrich bomb-throwers.

[warrior1]

1. Road kill

[TwilightGardener]

2. More of a "who" than a "what"--I guess Christie or other non-crazy Repub governors,

because they actually have to make things work in their states.

[JaneyVee]

3. If they told all the loons to get lost they would only have around 30 voters left.

[Buzz Clik]

4. Fiscally conservative, more socially progressive, far less attention to the divisive social issues.

They would take no stand on same sex marrriage. They would find a way to stay opposed to illegal immigration without so much of the "we hate Messicans" bullshit currently draped all over it. They would remain opposed to abortion but would ratchet down the rhetoric to "the states should decide" and nothing more. They would abandon the stupidity of the religious fanaticism and once again embrace science (leaving the pockets of non-science to Tea Partiers and leftwing paranoia about technology).

It won't happen, but that's what it would look like.

[MannyGoldstein]

5. Let's suppose that they went back to Reagan's values

Then they'd be pretty far to the left of today's elected Democrats, which would be one hell of a dilemma for many of us.

[Fire Walk With Me]

6. It would be absolutely free from the influence of corporations and the wealthy.

As such, it would be unrecognizable.

[baldguy]

7. Not insane, but still not good.

[OceanEcosystem]

8. Avoid social issues.

Focus on things that many Americans agree upon or like:

* Take a tough stance against China.
* Stop borrowing money.
* Low taxation.
* Drill extensively for oil, perhaps with the goal of $3/gallon gasoline or lower.
* Support amnesty for illegal immigrants.


Avoid social issues like gay marriage.





I think America, in general, has become socially liberal but fiscally conservative. Therefore, the Republicans would be wise to stay quiet on most social issues, but speak loudly about fiscal responsibility.

[cherokeeprogressive]

9. If I HAD to offer advice...

I'd tell the party PTB they should require that ALL candidates sign a statement promising NOT to get caught in questions involving abortion, gender-equality, or same-sex marriage under penalty of having their campaign funds withheld by the party.

Other than that I got nothin'.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

10. They definitely need to avoid the rape questions too

It is still legal to "take the fifth" in this country and they'd be well-advised to do it when it comes to those sort of questions- if I were advising them, of course.

Since I'm not, I want them to be continually asked and I want them to answer!

[sigmasix]

11. Show-down

This would require a political show-down that could lead to deeper damage to the country. It's time for the Republican brand name to die on the vine and new party of conservatives to step forward.
The democratic party would- hopefully- lurch to the left to maintain it's base.
Conservatives have a responsibility to America to maintain their viability and political clout. The conservative school of thought in America is very important for many reasons. As a people, Americans need to have reasonable opponents at work together in Washington DC (including all levels of governance), crafting legislation that represents the best of what America has to offer.
I would hope that there are enough honest American conservatives left to form a new party.
After all, we know that Teabaggers are not conservatives or grass-roots organizations. We also know that Fox "news" has taken over the Republican brand name and replaced it with Rupert Murdock's political ideas and fear-based narratives.
These people aren't conservatives, they're radicalized right wing reactionaries.
It's time for conservatives to separate themselves from the Republican brand name and establish a new party that espouses true American conservative ideas and principles.

Give the Teabaggers the Republican name and let them choke on it- America is more important than control over a party name.

[Chipper Chat]

12. It's too late. The Tea Party has taken over.

All the traditional Pub senators & congcritters will be primary challenged. Half of them will be successful. The "party of Reagan" will be on life support.