Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Massachusetts Republicans: Back to the future?
I'd rather see Massachusetts Republicans build the party from the ground up, not from the top down. The latter statewide-office strategy was tried in the 1990s -- and it didn't work out so well. The November elections were definitely disappointing for those hoping for a two-party state. But this past year was far from a bust for Republicans: picking up a U.S. Senate and 16 state House seats. ... The real test will come in 2012, when we'll see if the 2010 grassroots effort has any long-term momentum, capable of helping Scott Brown and fielding solid legislative and congressional candidates.
Update – David makes some good points about Jenn Nassour not taking responsibility for the GOP’s November disappointments: “If Nassour doesn't want the buck to stop with her in good times and in bad, maybe party chair isn't the right job. Just sayin'.” … Not taking some responsibility for November isn’t helpful or classy. Nassour and Republicans need to learn from mistakes. But keep in mind she’s right to say that winning statewide elections isn’t the only way to measure success. Legislative races count. The GOP has focused way too much on statewide offices in the past, neglecting the legislative farm-team that produces credible congressional or statewide candidates such as Brown. … Again, the GOP’s best long-term hope for relevancy is a bottom-up building approach. Charlie Baker sure could have used a little more campaign experience prior to this year’s gubernatorial run. His Swampscott selectman’s experience just didn’t cut it, needless to say.
I'd rather see Massachusetts Republicans build the party from the ground up, not from the top down. The latter statewide-office strategy was tried in the 1990s -- and it didn't work out so well. The November elections were definitely disappointing for those hoping for a two-party state. But this past year was far from a bust for Republicans: picking up a U.S. Senate and 16 state House seats. ... The real test will come in 2012, when we'll see if the 2010 grassroots effort has any long-term momentum, capable of helping Scott Brown and fielding solid legislative and congressional candidates.
Update – David makes some good points about Jenn Nassour not taking responsibility for the GOP’s November disappointments: “If Nassour doesn't want the buck to stop with her in good times and in bad, maybe party chair isn't the right job. Just sayin'.” … Not taking some responsibility for November isn’t helpful or classy. Nassour and Republicans need to learn from mistakes. But keep in mind she’s right to say that winning statewide elections isn’t the only way to measure success. Legislative races count. The GOP has focused way too much on statewide offices in the past, neglecting the legislative farm-team that produces credible congressional or statewide candidates such as Brown. … Again, the GOP’s best long-term hope for relevancy is a bottom-up building approach. Charlie Baker sure could have used a little more campaign experience prior to this year’s gubernatorial run. His Swampscott selectman’s experience just didn’t cut it, needless to say.
