We have a rule in public relations that applies to almost every situation: Hit the ground running and stay out in front of issues and events.
That would be my first bit of advice to the new GOP House and newly-empowered GOP Senate minority that takes office this week.
The new Republican leaders and members of Congress should waste no time.
They should move quickly and confidently.
They must get about their work with a self-assured swiftness.
They must set the agenda promptly with bold, definitive action.
They should not wait to react to events. Instead --they must act. They must make things happen.
If their plan is to repeal Obamacare (and that's what they were elected to do) then they should go ahead and pass repeal legislation. They have the votes to do it in the House. So, this should be the very first order of business. Pass the repel and let the Democrats do the reacting.
The days of the GOP being the party of REaction should now be over. The days of action must now begin.
There is no mystery about what the GOP agenda should be: smaller government, lower taxes, less government regulation, an end to runaway spending, a new, business-friendly, pro- growth climTe, more personal freedom and individual initiative.
The GOP should not hesitate to pass legislation along these lines. If the Democrats want to thwart the legislation or if the president wants to veto it, so be it. Then, the blame for poorly-placed REaction or inaction will be on the Democrats.
But for now let the Republicans act.
Let them take the lead. Let them get out in front. Let them set the agenda.
And let the revolution begin.
1 comment:
Let me add one very important thing: don't immediately launch partisan "investigations" or otherwise use your new-found power to get back at the Democrats. As tempting as that may be, it will only serve to undermine whatever good will the electorate has for you.
Americans don't want more partisan pissing contests. They don't want more demonizing of the opposition. They want positive results. If that requires working with Democrats and making some sacrifices in the process (and it probably will), suck it up and do it, no matter how much the ideological purists in your party may howl in the short-term.
This will take courage, something which politicians in both parties sorely lack. But if the GOP can muster the courage to focus on problem solving and not on ideology, the rest will take care of itself.
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