In New Jersey, does “Republican” equal “conservative”?
/Unfortunately, not even close.
After years of ignoring its base – and a series of losing election cycles – the New Jersey Republican Party is in the process of figuring out who it wants to be. It doesn’t have a lot of time, because it faces yet another legislative election in which it will likely be at a disadvantage in terms of financial resources and motivated grassroots manpower.
There is a ready-made model. It is called the Republican Party – the Republican Party that the rest of America believes in.
The Republican Party – in which the NJGOP participates through two National Committee Members – has a wonderful, ready-made, polling and focus-group tested, set of principles for American renewal. Here they are:
CONSTITUTION
Our Constitution should be preserved, valued and honored.
ECONOMY
We need to start growing America’s economy instead of Washington’s economy so that hard-working Americans see better wages and more opportunity.
BUDGET
We need to pass a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution, make government more efficient, and leave the next generation with opportunity, not debt.
HEALTHCARE
We need to start over with real healthcare reform that puts patients and their doctors in charge, not unelected bureaucrats in Washington.
VETERANS
Our veterans have earned our respect and gratitude, and no veteran should have to wait in line for months or years just to see a doctor.
SECURITY
Keeping America safe and strong requires a strong military, growing the economy, energy independence, and secure borders.
EDUCATION
Every child should have an equal opportunity to get a great education; no parent should be forced to send their child to a failing school.
POVERTY
The best anti-poverty program is a strong family and a good job, so our focus should be on getting people out of poverty by lifting up all people and helping them find work.
VALUES
Our country should value the traditions of family, life, religious liberty, and hard work.
ENERGY
We should make America energy independent by encouraging investment in domestic energy, lowering prices, and creating jobs at home.
IMMIGRATION
We need an immigration system that secures our borders, upholds the law, and boosts our economy.
SOURCE: https://www.gop.com/principles-for-american-renewal
On its website, the Republican National Committee offers a survey that asks which of the above eleven principles are most important to the individual taking the survey. Notice the tone and language used. It is a very proactive message: “This is what we believe in… where do you fit in?”
Top of Form
When RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel laid out her vision for Republican leadership, she outlined the Principles for American Renewal.
These are the core principles that unite and drive the Republican Party. These are the core principles that inform and inspire our policymaking. And these are the core principles that we need to get our country back on track.
SOURCE: https://www.gop.com/principles-for-american-renewal-survey/
Now compare it with the survey on the NJGOP website. Notice the difference in tone and language…
The NJGOP is a diverse group of individuals and organizations, with multi-faceted views on a variety of issues. As we develop a winning strategy for all 21 counties and 565 municipalities, we want to hear from you. Take our brief survey and let us know what issues are most important to you!
What issues are most important to you? (Select all that apply)
Top of Form
Controlling government spending and reducing the debt
Improving health care
Strengthening New Jersey’s economy and protecting jobs
Improving education
Fighting crime and improving public safety
Keeping property taxes down
Improving New Jersey’s roads, bridges, and highways
Protecting the state from threats of terrorism
Protecting the environment and open space
Reforming government to make it more transparent and accountable
Other
SOURCE: https://www.njgop.org/issues-survey/
Instead of “this is what we believe in… where do you fit in” there’s a laundry list of “concerns”, most of which would be just as suitable on a Democrat Party website. Instead of a unifying message and focus, it is as if the NJGOP were appealing to voters to “tell us who you want us to be.”
X
Improving health care
Strengthening New Jersey’s economy and protecting jobs
Improving education
Fighting crime and improving public safety
X
Improving New Jersey’s roads, bridges, and highways
Protecting the state from threats of terrorism
Protecting the environment and open space
Reforming government to make it more transparent and accountable
Other
In contrast, the message of Governor Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Democrats couldn’t be clearer. New Jersey Democrats have the sense of who they are that the NJGOP lacks. In the video on their website, the Governor lays out the Democrats’ message – point by point, no bullshit. Murphy nails it when he says, “We are who we told folks we would be.” That is being straight with the voters and they are looking for that.
SOURCE: https://njdems.org/
New Jersey Republicans have fallen far since 2001 and are now in an existential crisis and a battle for survival. The next three years will determine whether or not the NJGOP continues as a viable alternative to the Democrats – the Legislative elections of 2019, Congressional elections of 2020, and Gubernatorial election of 2021. It’s life or death. Time to be bold.
