White suburbs

[Vepres]

I voted for economics, though the losses were caused by a combination of factors:

1. Distrust of Republicans: Even a stalwart Republican must admit that Bush and the Republican congress didn't keep their promises. Fiscal Responsibility? Ha! Bush created record budget deficits (though Obama will probably break that record). Small Government? They expanded medicare and with the patriot act gave the executive branch way too much power. Not to mention the government bank bailouts at the end of Bush's term (though to be fair, Democrats controlled congress). Humble Foreign Policy? LOL. Bush promised a "humble foreign policy" during his 2000 campaign. Don't be arrogant, get out of their affairs, and they will respect us more. Ironically, Bush did the exact opposite when he came into office.  They did cut taxes, but at what cost? The deficit exploded.

Republicans must regain voter's trust. This will be slow. Even if they gain majorities in the house in 2010 (not likely at this point) it will be because Democrats were worse. They must be principled, even when in power, and admit their mistakes during the early 2000's.


2. Social Issues: It's not that they were socially conservative, but that they would not accept socially moderate to liberal Republicans who otherwise agreed with them as "true conservatives". On top of that, they had to constantly talk about these issues and frankly it alienated many otherwise conservative suburbanites and independents.


3. Foreign Policy: As I said above, what happened to "a humble foreign policy"? Afghanistan may have been justified, but Iraq was not, and invasion followed by occupation is not humble, but arrogant.