While Republican candidates are having a field day in Iowa bashing the Obama administration, and occasionally each other, great interest is shown among conservatives, Tea Partiers, and independents. Those in the incredibly shrinking liberal camp are yawning, not the least bit interested in what the "hicks in the hinterlands" do, or so it would appear. Iowans just aren't sophisticated enough to know that you have to pass a bill before you know what's in it; they do however, understand about buying a "pig in a poke."
Progressives breathe a sigh of relief that, at least Sarah Palin isn't among the debaters; they consume less Prozac when that "hussy" isn't on stage. Confidence reigns supreme among the Reid/Pelosi followers, and why not? Democrats have more campaign money than Fort Knox to spend on their candidates.
And, they still hang on stubbornly to the idea that their policies are best for America. Iowa is just another one of those sparsely populated states where conservative values still persist. The people who really count, those in the big states with lots of voters, are where liberals hang their hats and where the "sheep" can be herded more easily by simply promising to have the government do more for you. It has almost always worked in the past, except now there is that little problem of government insolvency poking its head above the horizon of a mountain of debt.
Republicans face an uphill battle in 2012. To win the general election the GOP will need real purpose and cohesiveness and can't afford to believe that success in 2010 will automatically carry over. Defeating a sitting president is a challenge, even when he has failed in many ways.
Today's challenges are similar to those faced during the Carter administration, but turning out a sitting president cannot be taken lightly.
Thirty two years ago, President Jimmy Carter gave a televised address to the public which some called a sermon. The subject was a "crisis of confidence." His approval ratings were 25 percent at the time. He believed that the country was beset with a moral crisis.
Those were the days of "stagflation," the jobless rate was high; a poor economy and inflation combined to create a "misery index" that had people dispirited. Instead of leading and showing confidence, the president blamed the people for our nations' problems, and his speech had the buoyancy of a lead balloon.
He may have been right about the moral crisis; even today it's easy to put together a list of decadent societal trends to justify that conclusion. Prior to the speech he had made a special effort to listen to the people. One southern governor told him, "Mr. President you are not leading this nation -- you're just managing the government."
Carter had won a close election in 1976 primarily because he was not Richard Nixon, which is much the same reason that Barack Obama won; he wasn't George Bush. Carter seemingly had the credentials, former governor of Georgia, nuclear submarine commander, and farmer/businessman, but somehow didn't live up to expectations. Obama's experience was thin; first term senator, state senator, community organizer, Ivy League diplomas.
Despite charisma and eloquence he seems not to grasp the complexity of igniting the economy or, he is too steeped in liberal ideology to enact effective measures. The question is, will he and Carter share the same ignominious reputation as chief executive? Indicators trend to yes.
In stark contrast to Carter's speech is Ronald Reagan's speech of 1984, "Our Noble Vision: An Opportunity For All" in which he gave great hope to the American people. His message hinged on "the revolutionary idea that burns in the hearts of men and women everywhere." He spoke of "a society where man is not beholden to government, government is beholden to man."
Most conservatives and Republicans believe that this administration must end after one term. Wishing will not make it so. The GOP will need a "warrior" who has answers about where to take this country and more importantly, how. The Republican ticket that comes out of the National Convention must be able to unify the party and appeal to independents as well. The most severe challenge might very well be the "X Factor," media bias. Bias so prevalent and unrepentant the likes of which we have not seen in over a century.
The challenge to Republicans is formidable. Failure means four more years of Obama and even if the Senate can be gained and the House retained, they would still have to deal with a president with veto power. This would lead to a prolonged stalemate in Washington.
There is only one concept that matters at this moment in history for the Republican Party and for the good of the country and that is unity.
Reynolds is a business owner who lives in Pleasant View.
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