So who is the next GOP candidate

[cad424]

That's a very difficult choice. I think it's far more complicated than some make it seem. I am not a religious person at all. However, I do feel that religion has a benefit of preventing moral decay. Which is a huge problem with the country.

I feel the same way. I don't think I need to keep stating my opinion ad nauseum though.

I'm scared. I worry for my kids and the future of the country in general. We can't afford the spending but we'll keep doing it.

[CJ]

1 in 5 Americans identify themselves as either atheist or having no religious affiliation. The bible thumping doesn't work anymore.

This is exactly what I'm talking about. The GOP needs to make some changes that won't be popular but will have long term implications.

That's a very difficult choice. I think it's far more complicated than some make it seem. I am not a religious person at all. However, I do feel that religion has a benefit of preventing moral decay. Which is a huge problem with the country.

[cad424]

The problem with going more secular for the GOP is you lose a huge part of your base. But I agree with you, not staying on top of their message, and clarifying their stance is a huge problem. The democrats get to set the GOP's stance themselves. They tell women a bunch of BS, fake war on women, etc. and the GOP "takes the high road."

1 in 5 Americans identify themselves as either atheist or having no religious affiliation. The bible thumping doesn't work anymore.

This is exactly what I'm talking about. The GOP needs to make some changes that won't be popular but will have long term implications.

[Vertnut]

I'm assuming you're referring to his rebuttal to the state of the union, correct?

Yeah. To me, it was a "concession speech".

[CJ]

Their base is already dwindling, and dying off. It's what they are going to have to do to appeal to young voters. The last 2 elections they've only alienated themselves.

^^ I ninja'ed that. The democrats get to set a false narrative. I see the GOP as the party of responsibility, and I see the Democrats as the party of irresponsibility. I think that needs to be the focus. The problem is many people want to be irresponsible, they advocate for it.

[cad424]

I like Jindal, but does anyone else remember his Republican concession speech from '08? I was really disappointed in his delivery (for lack of a better term). He didn't come across near as gritty as a Rubio or Rand Paul.

I'm assuming you're referring to his rebuttal to the state of the union, correct?

[bcoop]

The problem with going more secular for the GOP is you lose a huge part of your base.

Their base is already dwindling, and dying off. It's what they are going to have to do to appeal to young voters. The last 2 elections they've only alienated themselves.

[Vertnut]

Agree on both Cruz and Jindal. The GOP needs to proceed with caution in grooming the next candidate. I'm just pointing out that suddenly bringing every non-white republican into the presidential conversation is reactionary and won't work.

I think Jindal has been in that conversation for 4 years now. I predict he runs in 2016. Cruz is a charismatic conservative and a future leader in the GOP.

I like Jindal, but does anyone else remember his Republican concession speech from '08? I was really disappointed in his delivery (for lack of a better term). He didn't come across near as gritty as a Rubio or Rand Paul.

[CJ]

All this abortion talk, and you're all calling him an idiot and ignorant. I don't disagree with either, but you're fooling yourself if you don't think that is a major contributor as to why the GOP lost. Do *I* consider it one of the most important issues? No. Debt and spending are among the top issues in my opinion. But a huge portion of America does consider it a top issue, as evidenced in the election. I will say, the GOP only failed themselves by not making it a front page issue, and clarifying their stance. Had they done that, instead of remain relatively silent, things may have turned out differently. That isn't dumbdickwillie's fault. It's the fault of the GOP and campaign people.

I think it was Stevo that asked someone if they were admitting that most voters are idiots. I don't know what he was admitting, but that is painfully obvious to me and millions of others, that most voters are idiots. Idiots are everywhere, and come from both sides. That's not a party issue. It's a misinformation issue, and an issue of being uneducated. What I've seen repeatedly in this thread is all of you people attacking everyone who doesn't toe the line. That's part of the issue. Adapt and overcome, or get left behind. I'm sure you'll all call me an idiot next, but what I said is undeniable. The GOP needs to adapt and overcome, or get left behind. The fact of the matter is that social issues are among top reasons why voters vote the way they do. You don't have to believe they are actually top issues. But the majority of America does. So to remain relevant, Republicans need to adapt, or they will become extinct in politics, and we will all be in a world of shit.

Republicans need to stop clinging to religion so much. Believe in what you want, I don't care. And I don't think most people care, either. What they do care about, is that religion being shoved down their throats.

The problem with going more secular for the GOP is you lose a huge part of your base. But I agree with you, not staying on top of their message, and clarifying their stance is a huge problem. The democrats get to set the GOP's stance themselves. They tell women a bunch of BS, fake war on women, etc. and the GOP "takes the high road."

[likeitfast55]

The GOP needs to do a better job of addressing the blue collar part of our society. The party needs to have new life from the top down.

While the Democratic party may not be to the liking of a very conservative crowd here in Texas, it is evident that the majority of this country got and likes the message that the Democratic party sent out during this election. Instead of reasoning why this happened, most here dismiss it as "those idiots".

This countries demographics have radically changed over the last 20 years. The GOP party has not done a very good job in aligning itself or catering to the struggle of said populous. Their platform has been relatively unchanged since Reagan.

As an ex football player my perception of the GOP is that they play defensively.
Fiscal conservatism is a tremendous plus for the party. Unfortunately the complexity of the system is lost on most of the changing demographics of this nation.

Solution: The GOP needs to widen its platform to include the demographics of this nation. It is clear by the red/blue voting results of Tuesday that both coasts and the borders have the higher populations of this country.

Like them or not the Democrats are/were successful in reaching their constituents with their message.

[The King]

Agree on both Cruz and Jindal. The GOP needs to proceed with caution in grooming the next candidate. I'm just pointing out that suddenly bringing every non-white republican into the presidential conversation is reactionary and won't work.

I think Jindal has been in that conversation for 4 years now. I predict he runs in 2016. Cruz is a charismatic conservative and a future leader in the GOP.

Agreed

[cad424]

Cruz was my choice for Senator because Sadler was such a jackass. Jindal would be a good choice in my opinion because he brings both (relatively speaking) youth and intelligence into the party.

Agree on both Cruz and Jindal. The GOP needs to proceed with caution in grooming the next candidate. I'm just pointing out that suddenly bringing every non-white republican into the presidential conversation is reactionary and won't work.

I think Jindal has been in that conversation for 4 years now. I predict he runs in 2016. Cruz is a charismatic conservative and a future leader in the GOP.

[The King]

Cruz was my choice for Senator because Sadler was such a jackass. Jindal would be a good choice in my opinion because he brings both (relatively speaking) youth and intelligence into the party.

[cad424]

CAD424, What does color have to do with my selections? I was thinking of bold people that haven't been diluted by the GOP. I agree with they need to give up on abortion and gay marriage. That needs to be kept out of politics; personally I don't care.

I already state that it's reactionary. I'm not necessarily targeting you. Turn on the radio and you'll hear the names Rubio, Cruz, Martinez, Haley, West, Jindal and Sandoval mentioned left and right.

Those are some great republicans but lets not kid ourselves. Those names are being mentioned because non-whites voted overwhelmingly for Obama.

[bcoop]

All this abortion talk, and you're all calling him an idiot and ignorant. I don't disagree with either, but you're fooling yourself if you don't think that is a major contributor as to why the GOP lost. Do *I* consider it one of the most important issues? No. Debt and spending are among the top issues in my opinion. But a huge portion of America does consider it a top issue, as evidenced in the election. I will say, the GOP only failed themselves by not making it a front page issue, and clarifying their stance. Had they done that, instead of remain relatively silent, things may have turned out differently. That isn't dumbdickwillie's fault. It's the fault of the GOP and campaign people.

I think it was Stevo that asked someone if they were admitting that most voters are idiots. I don't know what he was admitting, but that is painfully obvious to me and millions of others, that most voters are idiots. Idiots are everywhere, and come from both sides. That's not a party issue. It's a misinformation issue, and an issue of being uneducated. What I've seen repeatedly in this thread is all of you people attacking everyone who doesn't toe the line. That's part of the issue. Adapt and overcome, or get left behind. I'm sure you'll all call me an idiot next, but what I said is undeniable. The GOP needs to adapt and overcome, or get left behind. The fact of the matter is that social issues are among top reasons why voters vote the way they do. You don't have to believe they are actually top issues. But the majority of America does. So to remain relevant, Republicans need to adapt, or they will become extinct in politics, and we will all be in a world of shit.

Republicans need to stop clinging to religion so much. Believe in what you want, I don't care. And I don't think most people care, either. What they do care about, is that religion being shoved down their throats.