Though I am a Democrat, I peruse the Weekly Standard, the editorial page of the Wall Street Journal, and the National Review to keep up with Republican thinking. In the midst of the Republican soul-searching that is going on now after last Tuesday's GOP debacle, Fred Barnes says one thing that is undoubtedly true.
"Republican Weakness. Where is it? In the Northeast, across the upper Midwest, and in cities and upscale suburbs. To gain a majority in Congress, Republicans will have to win House and Senate seats in those places. To win the presidency, they'll have to appeal to voters in those locations.
Republicans in Washington must keep these voters--they're more moderate than conservative--in mind and avoid alienating them. Republicans don't need to jettison conservative principles. Ryan, the party's most innovative thinker, says Republicans need only apply these principles to the new political era, and moderates will be comfortable with the result.
One more thing is essential, according to Ryan. "We've got to be happy warriors," he says. "We've got to stop being the angry white guy party." Otherwise, Republicans will play right into Obama's hands."
Fred Barnes is executive editor of THE WEEKLY STANDARD.
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