How to Save the Massachusetts GOP

This afternoon I joined Republican politicians, activists, and journalists for a forum on “How to Save the Massachusetts GOP,” with host, The Natural Truth’s Michael Graham.

The webpage for the event explains that, “If Massachusetts is going to have a viable two-party system, then the Republican Party needs a statewide strategy for attracting more voters and expanding the party’s overall appeal. Hunting for a ‘magic bullet’ candidate who can win despite being a Republican simply isn’t enough.

“The goal of this symposium is to get candidates, activists, campaign professionals and regular Republican voters together to talk about strategies for the party as a whole and help all GOP candidates become more competitive in 2014.”

Some of the key points:

Several speakers pointed out that the Massachusetts GOP is winning in the suburbs and losing in the cities. Need to go after the latter. Chase 100% of the vote.

Christine Morabito of Greater Boston Tea Party urged Republicans to end the circular firing squad.

Former state auditor candidate Mary Connaughton advised picking winning issues where Republicans can show people how their lives can be better, such as education.

Several speakers urged that Republicans stop allowing the Democrats to define the Republican brand. It’s all very well and good to say we’ll focus on economic issues and stay away from social ones, but the Democrats will bring up the social ones anyway and the media will report it. The Young Republicans’ Katie Regan put it best: "We're losing the war because the Republican candidates are not able to reframe the argument in the media." Holly Robichaud of the Boston Herald advised that when the Democrats bring up issues that we don’t want to talk about, hit them back hard enough that they’ll never want to do it again. Turn it back on them by pointing out their own extreme views.

The young people who are the future of the party are more libertarian than conservative and were inspired to join the GOP by Ron Paul.

Best line of the afternoon: Michael Graham welcomes trackers from the Democrat Party, but warns them, "No pot. This is not a medical marijuana facility."

Here are a few pix:

The event was held at the F1 Boston Formula One Track and Conference Center.

Does anyone else think this looks like the set from You Only Live Twice?

Obligatory audience applause shot.

US Senate candidate Michael Sullivan works for my vote (I stole this photo from John LaRosa’s Twitter feed. Thanks, John.)

I told Mr. Sullivan I was interested in one thing from my next senator: smaller government. He replied that he would do three things to make that happen: 1) Across the board cuts on discretionary spending. 2) Targets for future spending growth less than the inflation rate. 3) Additional cuts by attrition.

Michael Isenberg is the author of Full Asylum, a novel about politics, freedom, and hospital gowns. Check it out on Amazon.com