The overwhelming Republican victory in the midterm elections marks a significant turning point in American politics. For the first time in almost a decade, the GOP controls both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. The results of the recent gubernatorial and congressional elections this week reflect the biggest GOP win since World War II. Interestingly enough, this election was less of a mandate for the Republican agenda than it was a backlash against an unpopular president and his policies. The American public used this election to express their displeasure with President Obama and his perceived mismanagement of various domestic and foreign policy issues, such as sluggish economic growth and conflict in the Middle East. Regardless of whether the blame on the president is justified, the political reality is that the Republicans now effectively control legislation in America. This opportunity, only two years before wide-open presidential elections, is a watershed moment for the GOP.
While the Republican Party has the opportunity in these next two years to govern successfully and reestablish the GOP brand, they also carry the very real risk of political ruin. Hatred of the dysfunction in government, and Congress in particular, is a common sentiment throughout the American public regardless of political affiliation. If the Republicans hope to avoid the same fate as the Democratic Party did this election season, they must resolve to use this newfound power to move our country forward. The legislation the GOP puts forth must not be merely symbolic gestures that which would be inevitably vetoed: the repeal of Obamacare, unreasonable cuts to government programs, and controversial social policy. Instead, the Republican Party must look towards the issues it does have the power to change. Economic policy such as trade agreements and tax reform are issues that matter to almost every single American and are the most likely issues on which President Obama will compromise with the Republican Party. That is not to say the GOP should abandon its entire platform, rather that it should accept the things it cannot change and have the courage to change the things it can. The wisdom or lack thereof in understanding this distinction will affect not only the Republican Party today, but also the Republican Party of tomorrow. A successful two years passing meaningful legislation in Congress will benefit directly both the GOP brand and hopes for a Republican president in 2016. A failure would mean yet another opportunity squandered and a party blamed for two more years of inaction and political gridlock.
While many worry the Republican Party will continue with business as usual, a new Republicanism has emerged in America. No longer satisfied with being demonized as anti-woman, anti-immigrant, or anti-environment among others, this new Republican has developed a more nuanced position on many issues much more palpable to the American public. An example of this is the newly elected Senator from Colorado, Cory Gardner. A champion of sound fiscal policy, Gardner has developed reasonable and compassionate positions on traditionally liberal issues ranging from the environment to gay marriage. Less of a turn to the quasi fiscal conservatism and social liberalism that so many college students love, this new Republicanism is more of a rebranding, not unlike that of Pope Francis – who reframed traditional Catholic positions for the reality of our world. If the GOP is to succeed and adapt to modern America, the future of the Republican Party will not depend on the establishment or the radical right. Americans are tired of the ideological posturing of the far right and far left, this moderate and reasonable conservatism is what this country wants. This new Republicanism is what America needs.
