You've probably heard the news already, but in spite of the beating they took in the 2012 election, the Republican Party did a little "soul searching," chatted amongst themselves, and after careful thought, decided they're still in fact just awesome. They just need to tweak their "messaging" a bit.
Well, in Florida it's no different. In spite of polling to the contrary, it may surprise you to hear that people just love them. Really!
But Florida Republicans are not overcome with gloom, according to interviews with elected officials, party officials and political strategists.
Several said the party's image woes, while significant, are a cyclical low caused by circumstances that will pass, and won't severely affect Republican candidates at the ballot box.
"Polls are a snapshot in time, and change depending on who the respective standard-bearers are of each party," said Justin Sayfie, a long-time GOP fundraiser and political insider.
This, too, shall pass. Sure it will.
The GOP possess many traits, but self-awareness sure isn't one of them.
At least one Florida Republican recognizes a problem. Sort of:
Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland, said the GOP's negative image stems from wasted opportunities by his fellow U.S. House Republicans over the last two years.
The 2010 election produced "the biggest House Republican majority since Reconstruction," he said, but, "We failed miserably."
Instead of passing legislation on immigration, tax reform or health care, he said, they wasted energy on meaningless gestures including 32 votes to repeal Obamacare – each dying in the Democratic Senate.
Of course, another big loser for the GOP was that whole "War On Women" problem which they swore did not exist. But in Florida, never fear! GOP strategist Sally Bradshaw and State Republican Party Chairman Lenny Curry are on it!
"There's nothing like a loss to make you want to win," she [Bradshaw] said. "I think you'll see a re-energized party working for every vote, including communities where we haven't done well in the past."
"You're going to see a party that will show their heart more," she said. "We feel we're right on these issues and if we show our passion, more people will listen."]
[State Republican Party Chairman Lenny Curry, also optimistic, said negative polls on the party's image don't necessarily mean negative views of Republican candidates.
"The old saying is politics is local – in a county commission race, city council race, state House race, people are going to look at the candidate more than the brand," he said.
But, he acknowledged, "The brand matters," and the GOP brand has been tarnished by bad messaging.
So in their haste to change the message, the "locals" in the Florida legislature are already busy attempting to show their warm and fuzzy side, and you'll never guess how. By filing yet another bill to essentially ban abortions. And because he's all about "messaging" and "showing his heart," Charles Van Zant (R-In-A-Cave-Somewhere-In-Keystone-Heights) chose the 40th Anniversary of Roe v Wade to do so.
Now there's a way to send a message and woo the ladies all at the same time! He claims the timing wasn't intentional. (What, he was in such a rush that he couldn't possibly wait until, say, Valentine's Day?) Nevertheless, he feels that this falling on the Anniversary was an added bonus.
Van Zant was probably in a hurry because he's tried and failed at this before, and sadly for him and the rest of the Republicans in the legislature, last year they ended their session without a single abortion bill passing. Van Zant no doubt has a sad over the fact that his attempt last year to make it a felony for a doctor to perform an abortion was one of them.
Still, Van Zant is determined, in spite of recent polls that show most Americans aren't in favor of overturning Roe v. Wade.
But then, as the GOP "insider" says, "Polls are polls, and nothing more."
Sure. Because ignoring those polls really worked out for you in November. But then I guess in order to change your own message, one needs to "get the message" in the first place.
