An old salty dog once told me, “If you’re a Republican when you’re 20, you’re cold. If you’re a Democrat when you’re 40, you’re stupid.”
In other words, younger Americans are swayed by issues of fairness and older Americans issues of economy.
From established pundits at mainstream publications to bubble-gum chomping airheads on gossip-spewing blogs, many have announced that the GOP has lost the youth. A New York Times/CBS poll reported the number of people who identified themselves as Republicans was at a 24-year low (roughly 28 percent). The percentage of self-identified Republicans under 30 was even scarcer.
The Grand Ol’ Party has become the Grand OLD Party, shaken and stirred as the southern white country club for the un-intellectual and filthy rich, with a splash of fired up evangelicals to keep things entertaining.
The GOP has eloped with big business, big religion, big oil and Billy Bobs south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Meanwhile, the Democrats have elected the consummate 21st century president. He’s urban, green, uses a BlackBerry, shoots hoops and is making it cool to be an American again.
The flight of young people from the GOP reflects other social trends.
Evangelicals have been central to Republican strategy for years. The evangelicals brought the GOP out of the country club. Now, it seems politically active Christianity is on the decline. According to American Religious Identification Survey, the number of self-identified Christians has fallen 10 points since 1990 to 76 percent.
Newsweek’s April cover story detailed the so-called “End of Christian America.” More than percentages, Newsweek’s assertion is based on culture war losses on such issues as abortion, same-sex marriage and school prayer.
What does this have to do with the youth vote? Sadly, nothing. Majorities of youth today are passive on abortion, never prayed traditionally in school and have a culturally progressive social network – hence the lack of interest in the Republican Party.
Even young evangelicals are disaffected with the GOP. The Washington Times reported in 2007 that only 40 percent of young evangelicals identify with the Republican Party. This is strange but rationale. Young Christian voters are expanding the agenda. Climate stewardship, genocide in Darfur and equal minority rights (beyond race) are being pushed by the new blood.
Democrats have taken advantage of this slow-moving elephant.
GOP attempts to update have been half-hearted and unnatural like a stiff parent trying to act “cool” in the presence of their suddenly grown children.
Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele, an African American, has tried to use “hip” language to bridge the generation gap. Frankly, this is an insult to not only hip-hop, but the intelligence of young voters.
Yes, we engage in netspeak and abbreviate everything. Yes, we text, tweet and slip off into our iPod universes. But we recognize a phony. Nothing is more apparent to us than someone who is trying way too hard.
So, in light of all this, should the GOP change its vocabulary and its wardrobe? I do not believe so. What is needed is not the appearance of fake hipness – just an expanded, authentic political tent.
Socially, traditional evangelical issues need not be compromised. However, the new Republicans need to consider that fighting against genocide in Africa is just as noble as fighting against abortion. Plus, there is the bonus of having no domestic opposition.
Youth care passionately about social issues. Convince them that the GOP cares, too, and present a broader consistent rationale for protecting life or caring for the environment and they may survive and convert (or reconvert) those they have lost.
Economically, Republican rhetoric seems to be catching fire. Tax day Tea Parties showed a renewed interest in fiscal conservatism. However, before Republicans can advance further, they need to reconcile the misleading spending patterns of the Bush Administration. They need to own up and be honest about past mistakes.
How can we fight federal deficits without taking ownership? Admit and lead the country back again. Forget the blame game – that will only backfire.
Finally, the GOP needs to look the part. A picture of the current leadership could be confused with a picture of the Board of Directors at Augusta National. The party needs a cross-cultural, younger than 50, sophisticated presence.
Watching the current Republican leadership is like watching a “legends” game on NBA All-Star Weekend – interesting, but who would you really choose in a present day pick-up game: Larry Bird or LeBron James?
If the GOP does not actively expand, it risks, as the New York Times recently noted, “losing a generation.” Such a loss is not only devastating to conservatism, but democracy as a whole.
-Matt Felty is a public administration senior.
The Oklahoma Daily is pleased to provide you the opportunity to share your thoughts about this article. We encourage lively debate on the issues of the day, but we ask you refrain from using profanity or other offensive speech, engaging in personal attacks or name-calling, posting advertising, or straying from the topic at hand. To comment, you must be a registered user of OUDaily.com. Thanks for taking the time to offer your thoughts.
You must be logged in to leave a comment. Log in | Register
JJanowiak 3 years ago
Yeah, but expanding the GOP tent would involve things like making people as loud, obnoxious, and ignorant as Matt Felty (who has gone to great lengths to tone himself down for this one) basically shut up because they're the reasons young people don't respect Republicans.
swiggy3000 3 years ago
I wouldn't really say that we would lose democracy as a whole. Another party would more than likely start up.
dwalker2006 3 years ago
I'm not sure young people in America understand the concept of cost. There is little widespread appreciation amongst the youth that things cost money, even if someone else is forced to pay for it. Also, as a general rule, until you have raised a family on a fixed income (as in, you are an adult), it is difficult for someone who has been taken care of by others to really appreciate making hard choices, which is what governing is about. Taxes don't mean much until you start paying them.
The GOP will probably have to sell out some of its economic platform to attract more of the "Me Generation". That is tragic and, in the longterm, will be costly for all of us.