In final hours, GOP (finally) goes after Obama

By Matt Rooney | The Save Jersey Blog

I don’t know about you but I’m feeling bullish heading into tonight, Save Jerseyans.

HOWEVER, hypothetically, if the Republican Party posts a good (but not great or “historic”) Election Night, in this blogger’s humble opinion, you won’t be able to blame gerrymandering, RINOs, the Tea Party, libertarian candidates or the liberal media for it.  Not all of it.

No, the number #1 reason for GOP under-performance would clearly be… caution. And I’m being a little uncharacteristically generous here because some people would call it “cowardice” but I don’t think that’s entirely fair.

Over-thinking it based upon based burns isn’t quite the same thing.

10749486_10203185877511257_662468383_nFor MOST of the Obama presidency, he enjoyed unqualified support and protection from the country’s elites who, in their respective capacities in the education, media and entertainment spheres, drive the discussion in modern America. That united front began fracture in 2013, ever so slightly, in the face of (1) the enormity of his policy failures and (2) serious Lefty ideological indiscretions – like launching unilateral wars (!) – which most base liberal absolutely abhor.

Moreover, and most importantly, the American public had FINALLY begun to reconsider its predilection for seeing this guy succeed because of what he represented (not anything he had actually accomplished).

Did the GOP take advantage of the fracturing of the Obama coalition?

Yes and no.

Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R, NJ-02) doesn’t really need the extra push if his polling position is accurate. He nevertheless dropped the mailer posted above in the closing days of Election 2014 and it beautifully hits all of the right points. He’s not just complaining about taxes or Obamacare. Nope… he’s going after the cult of personality propping up the modern Democrat Party… the ONLY thing propping up the modern Democrat Party. So Lobo is leading by 18+ points in a Cook PVI D+1 district.

lobiondo mailer obama 1But think about it: as a general matter, until the last few days, when Republican imbued with confidence by polls breaking their way finally began using Obama referendum language, it was actually the Democrats, playing defense almost everywhere in America, doing most of the trash talking.

Too many years of being called a “racist” for any and all criticism – and the media making it stick – impacting insiders’ thinking?

I believe so.

Even thoroughly conservative, hard-charging guys like Scott Garrett in NJ-05 let their Dem opponents have oxygen by taking it easy for months instead of hammering home the “we need to get adults back in the room” message 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

History, as ever, is our guide. The GOP won in 1994 by nationalizing its GOTV message, NOT contracting it for each individual market, and going hard at Bill Clinton for his early overreaches (like health care). I recognize that our increasingly balkanized electorate – and the polarization of our party leaders – makes what Newt pulled off less and less manageable.

My intention isn’t to go full-on wet blanket here. I saw some evidence of the ’94 spirit in the final days of this campaign cycle as Republicans began to coalesce around the anti-Obama “agenda” message. Republicans have definitely made significant gains from the lowest depths of our 2008 electoral depression. I am expecting a very good night in line with Nate Silver and Larry Sabato’s predictions.

Still, if we walk away with 6 Senate seats instead of 8+, a few House seats instead of 12+ and lose governorships (which looks possible) on Tuesday night, Republicans will have wished they coalesced around a less-timid message back in June. We’ll have lost, if polling is accurate, in former strongholds like Virginia without any prospect of a fair fight, even if we do take back the Senate. Our party’s problems with minority groups didn’t go away; in all likelihood, less minority voters will have showed up at the polls versus 2012 (as is typically the case for midterm elections). Most of our recaptured ground will be exactly that – stuff we should’ve held anyway with a well-articulated message delivered by articulate candidates.

I guess what I’m saying is course correction ahead of 2016 is needed regardless of the final outcome of 2016. Seriously. Don’t believe tomorrow’s rhetoric: you can vote against Obama and FOR the GOP. Millions did that on Tuesday. But we can do sooo much better than winning in spite of ourselves.

Matt Rooney
About Matt Rooney 8403 Articles
MATT ROONEY is SaveJersey.com's founder and editor-in-chief, a practicing New Jersey attorney, and the host of 'The Matt Rooney Show' on 1210 WPHT every Sunday evening from 7-10PM EST.

1 Comment

  1. Whatever island Harry Reid is hiding out on 10 years from now, America’s from all backgrounds are going to swim to that island, however far it may be, and ask Harry why he supported such a disaster of healthcare bill. Obamacare has yet to morph into the monster it will become.

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