Republican: We must go back to our roots
Less than a week away from the Iowa caucuses and it seems that the political world is about to explode with a loud, bombastic, New York billionaire/businessman versus a one-term U.S. Senator who was called a “wacko bird” by someone in his own party.
It is this businessman, Donald Trump, and this senator, Ted Cruz, who at least for this time, are leading the race to be the Republican nominee for President.
Now, I do know that one day in politics equates to almost a year, so political observers should still be mindful that an upset or surprising finish by a candidate can turn the entire race on its head.
However, it is very telling that just a few months to a year ago, Republicans were boasting that they had the candidates with tried and tested leadership and experience.
There were articles being written about how, with the numerous amount of current and former governors that were going to run, it was going to be an amazing battle to watch.
What those party leaders and pundits missed was the fact that they were not listening to their own base. It was the Tea Party that brought them a victory in 2010 and the huge discontent with Congress that brought Republicans the Senate leadership in 2014.
Yet, it was the establishment candidates that lost in 2008 and 2012 for President, and that same resentment led to the resignation of Speaker John Boehner just a few months ago.
If the GOP is wise, they’ll listen to their grassroots across America and see why people are so upset with current leadership and adapt accordingly.
It should be telling, as the candidates running “against” the establishment (Trump, Cruz, Carson, Fiorina) have a combined 63.8% of the Real Clear Politics average in polling. Meanwhile, the “establishment” candidates (Rubio, Bush, Christie, Kasich, Paul, Huckabee, Santorum) have a combined 27%.
If Republicans ignore the reality, they should expect more Trump-esque candidates in their future, especially if he winds up going all the way to the White House.