Jan 25, 2013 Comments Off Chuck Biscuits
Excerpted from Buzz Feed: Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus outlined an ambitious agenda for the GOP to catch up to Democrats after two straight presidential electoral losses.
“As a party, we must recognize that we live in an era of permanent politics,” Priebus said minutes after winning an unopposed election to continue as chairman for another two years. “We must stop living nominee-to-nominee, campaign to campaign.”
Priebus’ comments reflect a realization by the GOP that they lag generations behind Democrats and the Obama campaign when it comes to field organizing, with the party opening field offices months before elections and Democrats’ never closing after the last cycle.
“Now is the time to begin to develop a permanent, national field infrastructure that’s granular and based in communities,” he said.
Priebus argued that the Republican Party needs to expand its efforts in all states — even Democratic-leaning states, noting the party has seen success at the state-level.
“We have to take our message of opportunity where it’s not being heard,” he said, calling for a more open and inclusive party. “We have to build better relationships in minority communities, urban centers, and college towns. We need a permanent, growing presence. Simple ‘outreach’ a few months before an election will not suffice. In fact, let’s stop talking about “reaching out”—and start working on welcoming in. Political support is cultivated over time—not collected on Election Day.”