A Permanent Republican Majority (original) (raw)

In a recent interview featured in The Atlantic, Molly Ball asks Rick Wilson, the controversial Republican strategy consultant, about the possibility of the Republican Party not surviving Donald Trump's campaign. " Trump, " Wilson notes, " is framing up a scenario where the election in the fall doesn't become a referendum on the tenure of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, but on the Republican positions advanced by Donald Trump—which are not particularly Republican, and not particularly conservative. " Wilson's comment brings our attention to two issues. First, the Grand Old Party must decide on the most effective strategy to adopt in order to win the next presidential election on November 8, 2016. America is now facing major challenges, such as the low purchasing power of wages, the loss of blue collar jobs, exponential increases in costs of health care and higher education, the role of ethnic minorities and their integration into society, and the breakdown of traditional family structures, with its repercussions on childcare and eldercare. In addition to these challenges, the GOP must take into account the new demographic trends, where young people and Latinos are becoming more and more influential voting blocks. This is particularly relevant in light of William Kristol's recent observations, noting how Republicans will benefit from a logic of alternation in the 2016 elections, as Democrats have occupied the White House for eight years, and the GOP is currently controlling both houses of Congress. Additionally, the Democratic Party has lost some of its popularity as the general public grows more dissatisfied with the present state of affairs. With an economy in slow recovery-recovery that has yet to be felt by the unemployed and underemployed-and the Obama Administration at low approval ratings, it is crucial for Republicans to reap benefits from the current political situation. The second issue concerns the general direction in which American conservatism is evolving. It is essential for the Republican Party to provide a univocal answer to this question, not just to gain votes, but to also make up for its longstanding lack of unity and leadership. In fact, party members appear more concerned with tighter controls on illegal immigration, foreign threats and the inadmissibility of any form of abortion, while Democrats occupy higher moral grounds in the discussion on how to improve the healthcare system, develop an economy that cares for those in need, and invest in renewable energy sources. There are no great Republican figures to look up to in this debate, such as Eisenhower and Reagan in the past. A nostalgic spirit remains, instead, raising questions about the future of conservatism within a party that lacks cohesion and direction, whilst experiencing ideological turmoil.