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Nov

16

Who will be the face of the GOP? More like Schwarzenegger, or Mandel?


Which one will become the face? Ya got me, but this article by Marc Kovac includes some suggestions in his article from last week, “For Republicans, time to rebuild, reform and rethink.”

In the article, Kovac lists several things that Ohio Republican Party Deputy Chairmain Kevin DeWine listed as steps that need to be taken in order to, ahem, turnaround Ohio – in the ORP’s direction.  One step involved the personnel challenges faced by the GOP. This issue was front and center at the Republican Governor’s Association event last week also, which wasn’t even attended by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, perhaps the most obvious example of someone who is, as Governor Tim Pawlenty says is needed, applying Repubican principles to the 21st century in the way he governs for people, not partisans (see his conversation on This Week this morning for more).

From Kovac:

The next generation of Republican leaders: DeWine offered a number of names for helping the party reestablish its base in 2010, including potential candidates for governor Rob Portman and John Kasich, House Speaker (and now state Sen.-elect) Jon Husted, state Auditor Mary Taylor, and U.S. Sen. George Voinovich. Other names mentioned were state Sens. Mark Wagoner and Steve Stivers and Reps. Josh Mandel and Shannon Jones.

Although my state rep, Josh Mandel (R, Lyndhurst) is on that list, based on the kind of extreme rhetoric discussed at Restoration Weekend, where he was scheduled to speak this weekend, I fail to see how he comes even close to being a Pawlenty-style Republican.

But, again, big disclaimer: I’m no Republican either.

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 7:02 pm November 16th, 2008 in OH17, Ohio, Republicans 

Comments

4 Responses to “Who will be the face of the GOP? More like Schwarzenegger, or Mandel?”

  1. 1 Chuck Butcher on November 16th, 2008 11:29 pm

    I’d take Boehner, Cantor,et al more seriously than I would some other things…

  2. 2 The Reverend on November 17th, 2008 2:21 pm

    The GOP situation is similar to the forty year wanderings of the 12 Tribes.

    It certainly looks like the Cantor’s and the Pence’s and the Boner’s will take the current far-right party…further right.

    After a couple more losses, the GOP may come to their senses and think more moderately.

    The biggest problem facing the GOP started back in the 70-80’s when the theocons were tied to the Republican wagon. Untying that knot and reforming into a more moderate party will take time.

    Couldn’t happen to a more deserving group.

  3. 3 Theresa on November 18th, 2008 12:12 am

    In Ohio, their best hope lies with Mandel. He has the courage to stand up for what he believes in, a rare thing in politics. And he is able to reach out to a broad range of people.

    Although the group he spoke to may be considered extreme by some, the same is said by many conservatives about “liberals”. Someone has to be able to not only talk with both-but listen to both. Mandel is one of the few who can do that, without sacrificing his own principles and integrity.

  4. 4 Jill Miller Zimon on November 18th, 2008 8:20 am

    Theresa, I’m not sure what you’re thinking of when you write, “Someone has to be able to not only talk with both-but listen to both. Mandel is one of the few who can do that, without sacrificing his own principles and integrity.”

    Can you give some examples? The divestment didn’t pass because it was in fact too extreme for Ohio. Most of his positions are far to the right of center, not just far from the left of center. There’s no question that Mandel presents well, but in ideology, when it comes to policy positions, he chooses to support far right solutions.

    It will be interesting to see what happens with his college tuition ideas since he’s now in the minority party and the financial constraints of the state and the country are so dire.

    Thanks for reading and commenting.

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