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Started By
Message
Deep thoughts by Owlie
Posted on 11/4/26 at 10:56 am
Posted on 11/4/26 at 10:56 am
The agenda was driven, and the party nominated MAGA First Republicans. This may be the right answer for the country, maybe, but we obviously failed to convince the independent voter(s). We didn't even keep the ones we had 2 years ago.
So either the agenda and the nominees were wrong. Or the message's style and tone failed to persuade voters.
Independent voters decide elections. We need to reach 50% plus one. It really is that simple. If the Democrat socialist agenda is such a threat, we need to take that threat seriously and align ourselves with anybody and everybody else who agrees that that is the greatest threat.And here is the scary truth that may include traditional Democrats
The Dems didn't win; we lost. The sooner we accept that, the sooner we can fix it. Recent electoral history suggests the pendulum is swinging; there's no reason it can't swing back to the Republicans in 28 just need to accept the mistakes and not repeat them.
We are good enough
we are smart enough,....maybe
and gosh darn it, I don't care if people like me
if this shite matters, winning should matter
So either the agenda and the nominees were wrong. Or the message's style and tone failed to persuade voters.
Independent voters decide elections. We need to reach 50% plus one. It really is that simple. If the Democrat socialist agenda is such a threat, we need to take that threat seriously and align ourselves with anybody and everybody else who agrees that that is the greatest threat.And here is the scary truth that may include traditional Democrats
The Dems didn't win; we lost. The sooner we accept that, the sooner we can fix it. Recent electoral history suggests the pendulum is swinging; there's no reason it can't swing back to the Republicans in 28 just need to accept the mistakes and not repeat them.
We are good enough
we are smart enough,....maybe
and gosh darn it, I don't care if people like me
if this shite matters, winning should matter
Posted on 11/4/26 at 11:00 am to OWLFAN86
What is interesting is that this is almost an exact copy/paste of what Democrats were saying just two years ago.
Interesting political times with a pendulum on overdrive.
Interesting political times with a pendulum on overdrive.
Posted on 11/4/26 at 11:05 am to OWLFAN86
agreed
Posted on 11/4/26 at 11:08 am to OWLFAN86
quote:I’ll settle for Republican primary voters learning the difference between winning a primary vs winning a general election.
Independent voters decide elections. We need to reach 50% plus one. It really is that simple.
Posted on 11/4/26 at 11:15 am to OWLFAN86
Trump had the right message in 2024, that isn't the problem.
The problem is he abandoned that message.
- He got us in a war that no one wanted and betrayed his base
- He told China they could send 600,000 more students here instead of looking out for our own kids. People aren't discussing this one much but it pissed everyone off.
- He only gave lip service to halting the H1B disaster. Musk and Vivek told everyone how Indians are better than American citizens
- He imposed ridiculous worldwide tariffs that raised the cost of living
If he had just focused on restricting immigration and stayed out of wars then we would be talking about the destruction of the democrats today.
Total disaster.
The problem is he abandoned that message.
- He got us in a war that no one wanted and betrayed his base
- He told China they could send 600,000 more students here instead of looking out for our own kids. People aren't discussing this one much but it pissed everyone off.
- He only gave lip service to halting the H1B disaster. Musk and Vivek told everyone how Indians are better than American citizens
- He imposed ridiculous worldwide tariffs that raised the cost of living
If he had just focused on restricting immigration and stayed out of wars then we would be talking about the destruction of the democrats today.
Total disaster.
Posted on 11/4/26 at 11:17 am to OWLFAN86
Stupid people voted in droves. The memes on Facebook are posted by people who voted for a Latina governor just because.
Posted on 11/4/26 at 11:21 am to OWLFAN86
quote:
align ourselves with anybody and everybody else who agrees that that is the greatest threat.And here is the scary truth that may include traditional Democrats
IMO, traditional Democrats were never the problem. They don't hate America. The ones I take issue with are the ones who stay silent on the crazy left.
Posted on 11/4/26 at 11:22 am to Linoge
People are struggling.
This board can deny it and keep their heads in the sand about it but it’s a fact.
The dems ignored this two years ago and they got slaughtered. The same happened this year but to republicans.
If nothing improves in 2-4 years the same will happen again in the favor of the right.
This board can deny it and keep their heads in the sand about it but it’s a fact.
The dems ignored this two years ago and they got slaughtered. The same happened this year but to republicans.
If nothing improves in 2-4 years the same will happen again in the favor of the right.
Posted on 11/4/26 at 11:26 am to Linoge
quote:
Trump had the right message in 2024, that isn't the problem.
The problem is he abandoned that message.
Did he abandon that message?
You really say that in the face of what Johnson and Thune did to his agenda? And then stacked on that was the left's use of the Judiciary to thwart what was remaining?
Posted on 11/4/26 at 11:27 am to Taxing Authority
quote:
I’ll settle for Republican primary voters learning the difference between winning a primary vs winning a general election.
Posted on 11/4/26 at 11:33 am to Tigergreg
quote:agree
IMO, traditional Democrats were never the problem. They don't hate America. The ones I take issue with are the ones who stay silent on the crazy left.
and why I included them
Posted on 11/4/26 at 11:37 am to OWLFAN86
Scaring "traditional Democrats" (whatever that means) about the dangers of radical liberalism is not a widely successful strategy. Research shows there is tremendous voter fatigue on that type of negative messaging. What works is positioning individual candidates as unique brands outside of the "traditional politician" mold.
Trump has lost/devalued his brand as an outsider and is now viewed by many voters as inauthentic and corrupt, a classic politician, so candidates who were closely connected to him struggled by association.
Look at who won, lost, and struggled yesterday. Get rid of the Boomer lifetime politicians (and their sisters). Find young folks, vets, school teachers, business owners, etc., without baggage. People who look good in a ball cap or flannel vest, share a beer, can speak authentically, and throw a fishing line or football without looking dorky or fake.
Trump has lost/devalued his brand as an outsider and is now viewed by many voters as inauthentic and corrupt, a classic politician, so candidates who were closely connected to him struggled by association.
Look at who won, lost, and struggled yesterday. Get rid of the Boomer lifetime politicians (and their sisters). Find young folks, vets, school teachers, business owners, etc., without baggage. People who look good in a ball cap or flannel vest, share a beer, can speak authentically, and throw a fishing line or football without looking dorky or fake.
This post was edited on 11/4/26 at 4:45 pm
Posted on 11/4/26 at 12:25 pm to OWLFAN86
I agree with much of what you said. I see this outcome as a result of two dynamics: basic midterm fundamentals and Trump & MAGA becoming increasingly tone deaf.
The fundamentals have been obvious for months:
- "It's the economy, stupid." Few Repub incumbents were going to do well at the poles in this economy, especially as it impacts younger voters relative to cost of living, housing affordability, job prospects.
- Iran. Seems like only Trump, the MIC, and Israel wanted this war. It likely cost the GOP indy voters who were expecting to stay out of wars, and he broke an explicit promise to his base. Also fueling inflation. Monumentally bad decision that he now can't get out of.
With respect to Trump and MAGA in general:
The entire movement has become increasingly cultish and purity-driven over the past few years. There was always and element of that, but as is often the case on this board, any simple criticism of DJT or MAGA draws these pitiful, emotional responses.
Many MAGA people are quick to call someone a "Never Trumper" for simply disagreeing with him on a policy decision. That's dumb.
While there are plenty of Never Trumpers, there are just as many "hold your nose and vote for Trump because the democrats are nuts" people, and the right needs them on board to win. They won't always agree with MAGA talking points. That's ok.
The collective messaging from Trump and the GOP to people struggling in this economy ended up being something like, "Hey, sucks for you work harder." That's not going to fly, especially when the DSA is going to be out there promising all kinds of free sh*t at every turn.
To turn this around, I think the GOP must:
1. Move on from Trump and all of his baggage and antics. People are sick of it and are clearly voting against it.
2. Get out of Iran. However. Just declare victory and leave. It will be a mess, but we can't fix that now.
3. Focus on basic righty messaging: deregulation to help biz, especially small biz. Create jobs. Reduce taxes. Sane immigration reform. Free trade. Healthcare reform aimed at cost control.
4. Move on from the culture wars. I don't think most people are as obsessed with that stuff as in previous years when things were easier. Most Americans are voting on economics. And those who totally embrace the left's social idealogies are not likely reachable, anyway. And as you said, the right only needs the normal people in the middle.
ETA one more: Run better and younger candidates. Senator CHS in MS is the perfect example. More business people, fewer nepo-candidates, lawyers, and old people. Some of those seats the GOP lost were salvagable with better candidates.
The fundamentals have been obvious for months:
- "It's the economy, stupid." Few Repub incumbents were going to do well at the poles in this economy, especially as it impacts younger voters relative to cost of living, housing affordability, job prospects.
- Iran. Seems like only Trump, the MIC, and Israel wanted this war. It likely cost the GOP indy voters who were expecting to stay out of wars, and he broke an explicit promise to his base. Also fueling inflation. Monumentally bad decision that he now can't get out of.
With respect to Trump and MAGA in general:
The entire movement has become increasingly cultish and purity-driven over the past few years. There was always and element of that, but as is often the case on this board, any simple criticism of DJT or MAGA draws these pitiful, emotional responses.
Many MAGA people are quick to call someone a "Never Trumper" for simply disagreeing with him on a policy decision. That's dumb.
While there are plenty of Never Trumpers, there are just as many "hold your nose and vote for Trump because the democrats are nuts" people, and the right needs them on board to win. They won't always agree with MAGA talking points. That's ok.
The collective messaging from Trump and the GOP to people struggling in this economy ended up being something like, "Hey, sucks for you work harder." That's not going to fly, especially when the DSA is going to be out there promising all kinds of free sh*t at every turn.
To turn this around, I think the GOP must:
1. Move on from Trump and all of his baggage and antics. People are sick of it and are clearly voting against it.
2. Get out of Iran. However. Just declare victory and leave. It will be a mess, but we can't fix that now.
3. Focus on basic righty messaging: deregulation to help biz, especially small biz. Create jobs. Reduce taxes. Sane immigration reform. Free trade. Healthcare reform aimed at cost control.
4. Move on from the culture wars. I don't think most people are as obsessed with that stuff as in previous years when things were easier. Most Americans are voting on economics. And those who totally embrace the left's social idealogies are not likely reachable, anyway. And as you said, the right only needs the normal people in the middle.
ETA one more: Run better and younger candidates. Senator CHS in MS is the perfect example. More business people, fewer nepo-candidates, lawyers, and old people. Some of those seats the GOP lost were salvagable with better candidates.
This post was edited on 11/4/26 at 12:28 pm
Posted on 11/4/26 at 12:35 pm to OWLFAN86
Boomers are so wildly wrong about everything.
MAGA policies were not the reason for this. Promising MAGA policies and then instead delivering the same ol NeoCon, Israel first, GOP bait and switch is the reason for the bloodbath yesterday
This is what the GOP did. They took all the promises of 2024 and said..."nah thats too mean, we cant do all that" This appeal to Democrats IS the reason MAGA failed. We should have ended the filibuster and crushed them. We all know the game though, the GOP is controlled opposition. We refuse to wear the blindfolds any longer.
MAGA policies were not the reason for this. Promising MAGA policies and then instead delivering the same ol NeoCon, Israel first, GOP bait and switch is the reason for the bloodbath yesterday
quote:
If the Democrat socialist agenda is such a threat, we need to take that threat seriously and align ourselves with anybody and everybody else who agrees that that is the greatest threat.And here is the scary truth that may include traditional Democrats
This is what the GOP did. They took all the promises of 2024 and said..."nah thats too mean, we cant do all that" This appeal to Democrats IS the reason MAGA failed. We should have ended the filibuster and crushed them. We all know the game though, the GOP is controlled opposition. We refuse to wear the blindfolds any longer.
Posted on 11/4/26 at 12:39 pm to Sharlo
quote:
3. Focus on basic righty messaging: deregulation to help biz, especially small biz. Create jobs. Reduce taxes. Sane immigration reform. Free trade. Healthcare reform aimed at cost control.
So basically make all the same promises youve always made. Why on earth would young people ever believe the GOP would keep its promises when it has consistently broken every promise for the entirety of their lifetimes??
Posted on 11/4/26 at 12:42 pm to Meauxjeaux
Thune blocking the Save act didn't hurt repbulican's in the midterms. This was 100% Trumps fault. The house no but the senate yes.
Posted on 11/4/26 at 12:47 pm to QuickTrap
quote:Are you suggesting that the reason Hispanics flipped the way they did was because of the SAVE Act? Are you suggesting that the reason so many young people registered to vote and turned out was because of the SAVE Act? Are you suggesting that the reason Texas is now totally blue is because of the SAVE Act If so, please explain
Thune blocking the Save act didn't hurt repbulican's in the midterms. This was 100% Trumps fault. The house no but the senate yes.
And an explanation means actually tell me why the SAVE Act not being passed is why we lost
Or, to put it another way, a person might be right when they say our government needs to do this, whatever that
quote:may be
this
but if a majority of Americans disagree with that, then tell me: how do you make that argument and win the election?
Because if you don't win the election, you can't do the things that you think our government needs to do.
And yes, I'm aware that there was a lot of support for the SAVE Act itself.
What I'm saying is, just because it didn't pass, if that was what was going to win the election for us, that's poor planning . Where was the back up plan?
Posted on 11/4/26 at 12:49 pm to QuickTrap
quote:
Thune blocking the Save act didn't hurt repbulican's in the midterms.
Its wild how you all want to excuse the most worthless Congress of all time
Posted on 11/4/26 at 12:50 pm to OWLFAN86
Deep shite for Texas.
It'll take a generation or more to even to start to repair the damage.
Republicans are not smart or, brave enough to take the reins and lead.
The young white males get what they vote for. The rest of the demogrphics just want more "free" shite.
If this board is still here in 4 years and, I'm alive when it's time to vote out Austin, it will not be better.
I predict MIDNIGHT BLUE.
Paxton was doomed by the bush cartel.
Patrick was doomed by his thc bullshite.
Abbott was caught up in the jet wash.
Perfect storm.
Texas has fundimentally changed forever.
The importation of everything that was not needed has cost its soul.
The short term pain, becomes long term.
Continue bloviating.
It'll take a generation or more to even to start to repair the damage.
Republicans are not smart or, brave enough to take the reins and lead.
The young white males get what they vote for. The rest of the demogrphics just want more "free" shite.
If this board is still here in 4 years and, I'm alive when it's time to vote out Austin, it will not be better.
I predict MIDNIGHT BLUE.
Paxton was doomed by the bush cartel.
Patrick was doomed by his thc bullshite.
Abbott was caught up in the jet wash.
Perfect storm.
Texas has fundimentally changed forever.
The importation of everything that was not needed has cost its soul.
The short term pain, becomes long term.
Continue bloviating.
Posted on 11/4/26 at 12:50 pm to JohnnyMackBrown
quote:
Boomers are so wildly wrong about everything.
MAGA policies were not the reason for this. Promising MAGA policies and then instead delivering the same ol NeoCon, Israel first, GOP bait and switch is the reason for the bloodbath yesterday
That's a fair argument, and it may be true that Republicans failed to support some MAGA policies that would have helped, but let's be honest: immigration enforcement also cost us votes. Look at the Hispanic flip
If not immigration, what was the reason that we had such a wild flip in two years among Hispanics?
Thanks for the dialogue
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