Losing The Republican Brand 
By Alex Saitta 
July 5, 2017 
Introduction: 
I was surprised how close the US House was in District 5 of South Carolina. Republican Ralph Norman won by 4%, but Trump won those counties by a wide margin. For instance Trump got 69% in Cherokee and Norman only 62%. Kershaw Trump got 60% and Norman only 53%. Union Trump got 58% and Norman only 50%. It provides evidence to what I have been saying about the Republican Party in our state the past six months.  
 
Two Problems
Too many Republicans run as conservatives in the primary and once elected govern as moderates and liberals. The "Republican" party just passed two huge tax increases this past year. One was a 12 cents gasoline tax, with little to no reform of the SCDOT (much needed). They also approved a doubling of the employer (taxpayer) contribution for the state pension plan, with little reform to the plan.  
 
I think grass roots conservatives who talk the talk and walk the walk are starting to see what's up with the GOP in our state and at the local level too. Too many would-be politicians recognize ours as a very red state. If they want to get elected, they choose to run as Republicans to get there. In the primary they run with all the conservative buzz words to boot -- pro-life, pro 2nd amenmdment, school choice, lower taxes. If it was a blue state, I think many Republicans would run as Democrats. This is why so few follow the Republican platform and are not glued to its conservative principles after they are safe and elected.  
 
It would be like me signing on to open a McDonald's and selling any old burgers or hot dogs or spaghetti. The corporate management (keepers of the brand) would shut me down for mis-representing the brand. There is no such enforcement with the Republican Party. And it is hurting the brand in the eyes of conservatives, and hurts the parties too.   
 
Also too many Republicans are afraid to call out other Republicans who vote like moderates and liberals. Other elected Republicans are afraid to do it, and the party leadership is afraid too. There is no enforcement mechanism in place to keep Republicans conservatvie red once they are elected. 
 
I won't be surprised if many conservatives lose enthusiasm or simply just stay home and the next decade purple counties in the state legislature, start flipping over to Democrat. 
 
Solution: 
The solution is simple. Term limit all local, state and federal elected representatives. This way the leadership won’t be dominated by insulated elected officials and new blood will have a better chance to make it into leadership roles.  
 
Also registering by party in the state would help. If you register as a Democrat or Independent, you can’t vote in the Republican primary and vice-versa.     
 
 
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