Inkwell Institute Analysis

Before we go any further we need to clear the air a bit.  CIA has ALWAYS targeted people for the things they are accused of now, Sotomayor WILL be confirmed, Liz Cheney needs to shut up and the Palin drama needs to go away.  Now to the meat of the post.

There has been much debate and jokes made about the strength of the GOP,  Some say it is irrelevant and yet others say it is just in the redinition stage after a massive defeat at the polls.  But what makes for a strong party?  In the book, “The Party’s Just Begun” written by Larry J. Sabato and Bruce Larson there is a 10 point summation of what makes a strong party and in using their guidelines I will point out whether the GOP is strong or flailing around looking for a rudder.

Using the authors 10 point analysis is the GOP a strong party?

1–equity and legitimacy–the GOP is losing ground with the middle, they no longer have a legit voice for them–1/2 point.

2–electoral appeal–last election has shown that there is none..failure–0 points

3–Participation and education–The GOP is failing miserably on teaching the electorate about their positions–0 points.

4–Accountability–the party is not doing a very good job of keeping their membership in line with party core beliefs–family values comes to mind–0 points

5–Conflict control–the GOP cannot control their extreme pundits–0 points

6–Resources–I will give them the point for having a core group that will donate no matter is going on…..1 point

7–Autonomy–this one is a bit difficult to analyze so I will give them the point….1 point

8–Policy Capacity–this is a complete failure for the GOP–they have little to no policies other than just saying “no” to everything.–0 points

9–Incentives–I cannot give them the point for this for I have been unable to find any incentive that would want to make people be a Repub.–0 points

10-Candidate assitance–I cannot give them the whole point for this….but they are trying to find a way to get candidates elected….even it is mostly smoke and mirrors….1/2 point.

The total for the GOP is a 3….and that low of a score would make the party a weak party with massive work to do to return to their past glory.  May I suggest that the GOP needs to look to the young for their next leadership, people like Meghan McCain.  The days of the old white guys is over and their antiquated thinking only is playing to the South and older white men.  The party will NEVER return to their past glory without the young generations.

I would like to thank Mr. Sabato and Mr. Larsen for their book and for the grading system that I used in my analysis.