Boehner’s ‘New’ GOP Strategy: Same Policies, ‘Refurbished’ Message
Boehner’s ‘New’ GOP Strategy: Same Policies, ‘Refurbished’ Message
Last week, an ABC News poll found that 82 percent of the public thinks the country is on the “wrong track.” Conservative candidates have lost three special congressional races in recent weeks, some in conservative districts. The Republican response? Better messaging.
The Washington Times reports today that House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) said that “his party does not need to change its core principles,” but instead will bank on a “refurbished” message. “It’s a change election,” Boehner admitted, and according to him, only the Republican “brand” needs changing:
“It’s not that the party’s going to change, it’s what we talk about and how we talk about it,” he said. “You look at the Republican brand name being where it is, let’s be frank about it. Iraq has been very unpopular, right? It’s associated with Republicans. The president’s job approval is somewhere down around 30. Those are the two big issues that hurt the brand.“
In order to “counter the Democratic push for change,” GOP leaders adopted “The Change You Deserve” for their new slogan. Boehner tried out his new slogan on Fox News today. Watch it:
But “the change you deserve” is also the advertising slogan of Effexor XR, a drug used to treat depression. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said today, “‘Change you deserve’ is of course a trademark of a an antidepressant. It does have side effects…it can make you sick. 82% of Americans have indicated that they are sick and tired of the policies that have been pursued by the Bush/Boehner Administration and they want a change.”
While the brand is hurting, conservative policies are causing even more pain. As Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) explained, conservative policies have resulted in “$3 trillion in new debt, millions more Americans without health insurance, energy and gas prices skyrocketing and incomes stagnant.” Only 30 percent of the public supports the Iraq war, an all time low, and economic anxiety is at its “highest level on record since 1981.”
Sort Comments By: Top Rated | Date
52 Responses to “Boehner’s ‘New’ GOP Strategy: Same Policies, ‘Refurbished’ Message”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Register
RSSLogin
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog RollAbout Think ProgressContact Us
Donate
once a spade, always a spade
May 14th, 2008 at 4:46 pmRpuglyFlakes ~ The breakfast of Chumpions!
May 14th, 2008 at 4:47 pmIt is a fitting slogan, that’s for sure. If Americans are stupid enough to reelect McCain to Bush’s third term, we will indeed get the change we deserve: none at all.
May 14th, 2008 at 4:49 pmBoehner’s ‘New’ GOP Strategy: Same Policies, ‘Refurbished’ Message
The GOP ; the group that believes if you polish up a turd a gem appears…………
May 14th, 2008 at 4:54 pmI think there’s an old saying….
“You can’t shine s**t”
May 14th, 2008 at 4:54 pm“the change you deserve” if you are stupid enough to vote republican, which is no ‘change at all’, just more criminal activities, corruption, cronyism, debt, run away corporations with offshore accounts, jobs going overseas, outrageous gas prices, skyrocketing food prices, housing market crash, endless war, and more war.
Is there not anything that they have not F’d up completely in this country?
May 14th, 2008 at 4:54 pmEverything that Bush has touched in the last 7.321 years has turned to crap. And the GOP morons have goose-stepped right along with this evil idiot. And now they will pay, as well they should. In January 2008, the House of Representatives will have 435 Democrats, zero (0) Republicans, while the Senate will have 68 Democrats and 32 (holdover) Republicans. The illegal criminal Bush occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq will be ended. Universal single-payer not-for-profit health care will easily pass. President Obama will have a 75% positive approval rating after being in office for six months. Anymore bright ideas, Republicans?
May 14th, 2008 at 4:54 pmSorry, make that “In January, 2009…”
May 14th, 2008 at 4:55 pmI know this is off topic, but OH AG Marc Dann has announced his resignation, live right now.
May 14th, 2008 at 4:55 pmThe Republicans have Lost the Third Special election in a row in A Solidly Republican district. Add the State of Missisippi to Louisiana , and Dennis Hastert’s old seat in Illinois.
This spells a LANDSLIDE rejection of the Republicans in November. Boehner realy has his work cut out for him…it may be his last chance as a memeber of congress.
May 14th, 2008 at 4:56 pmThis is the same trick Scientologists used to employ.
When Scientology was debunked, they called it Dianetics. When Dianetics was debunked, they called it Scientology.
B*llsh*t is b*llsh*t, no matter how you wrap it. Stinks the same, too.
May 14th, 2008 at 4:57 pmWhat do you expect from these clowns? They think the reason we’re in a recession is because the media keeps talking about it. They think the reason people think we were lied into war is because people “misremember”. They think the reason that torture damages the reputation of the U. S. is because people report it.
They think it’s all about marketing. They think they can institute policies that hurt people, that damage the nation and squander our prosperity, and they can explain away all the ill effects as “bad marketing”.
No, the Republican brand has EARNED this sorry reputation, and it continues to earn it every day.
May 14th, 2008 at 5:02 pmI hope boner gets resoundingly rejected in his re-erection bid. Oopsie…I mean re-election :)~
May 14th, 2008 at 5:03 pmWhen a ranking member of the party that has controlled the executive branch for 7+ years, controlled the legislature for 12 consecutive years and still has a close enough minority in both houses to derail legislation or at least sustain a veto says “most Americans realize that Washington is broken” isn’t he really saying “I fully recognize that most of us will be out of work next January”? Boehner isn’t polishing the turd in that clip. He is eating it.
May 14th, 2008 at 5:03 pmPlease, please don’t change let even the dimmest followers see your adgenda for what it is. That would be the 30% loving the war but NOT enlisting.
May 14th, 2008 at 5:05 pmit’s time for boehner and the republicans to think.
mick and the stones can help them with that:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ1zUaucO8I
May 14th, 2008 at 5:09 pmBonehead’s new GOP strategy = same shit, different day
May 14th, 2008 at 5:16 pmBoehner’s ‘New’ GOP Strategy: Same Policies, ‘Refurbished’ Message
More like, ‘Regurgitated Message’
May 14th, 2008 at 5:17 pmBetter messaging?
Bush has the largest disapproval rating of any president.
Better messaging…
May 14th, 2008 at 5:17 pmWE’RE NUMBER ONE!!
Joining the Republican Party should come with a warning label. 70% of you will experience Asthenia, gastrointestinal complaints (anorexia, constipation, dry mouth, nausea), CNS complaints (insomnia, libido decreased, nervousness, somnolence, tremors, we recommend you discontinue use. The other 30% just bury your head in the sand and everything will be alright, no one will know that you belong to the party of change.
May 14th, 2008 at 5:20 pmI’ll bet the Bush administration has boosted antidepressant sales tremendously, and not just with the Medicare giveaway to the drug companies. Something like half the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are on antidepressants, and all the Democrats in America too.
May 14th, 2008 at 5:21 pmIn other words…we are not lying well enough. We are getting caught in our lies. We need to improve how we lie. We need to not get caught lying.
Thanks, Boner. Keep up the good work…you will ensure that the goop is gone forever.
Amen to that!
May 14th, 2008 at 5:31 pmLuckily the MTV folks, the kids that are voting for Obama and riding his tide don’t watch Fox News and won’t get lulled into the stupor that the “young Republicans” are in.
May 14th, 2008 at 5:35 pmOT — but I have to ask if someone knows this.
May 14th, 2008 at 5:36 pmJohn Edwards is endorsing Obama - it remains to be seen what this does for the Obama campaign — but what happens to the 27 delegates Edwards has?
It is not the war in Iraq; it is not the stagnation or decline in income for over 80% of US citizens; it is not the corruption and cronyism that has wasted billions of taxpayer dollars; it is not as though public health and safety has been compromised through the literal selling of government agencies to special interest groups; it is not that incompetence reigns with those functions to provide relief or succor to average people (Katrina) and myriad other examples of Republican misrule.
Yes, 80% of the country believes that we are on the wrong track. But Boner is right. They will simply change the language. Already McCain is seen as a maverick by the darling press despite his shameless pandering and actual retreat from every maverick position that he has ever taken. We will decide this election on the real issues that make a difference: wearing a flag pin, who your reverend is, how you bowl, the food you eat. Yes, the things that really matter and will fit in with the new message. Yes, our nation is headed to Hell and deserves every moment of it.
May 14th, 2008 at 5:40 pmSome bonehead:
“It’s not that the party’s going to change, it’s what we talk about and how we talk about it,” he said. “You look at the Republican brand name being where it is, let’s be frank about it. Iraq has been very unpopular, right? It’s associated with Republicans. The president’s job approval is somewhere down around 30. Those are the two big issues that hurt the brand.“
OIC. So the problem is marketing. Stop calling it “Sh*te-In-A-Sack™” and people will flock to the stores for the SOS…. Makes sense to me. I think we should do all to encourage Boehner and others to pursue this excellent strategy. Go to their website and leave comments about the marvelous job they’re doing….
Cheers,
May 14th, 2008 at 5:49 pmAnd we really have to suffer seven more months of this garbage? Will there be anything left to save after this crap leaves office ?
May 14th, 2008 at 5:49 pmThe guests today on Diane Rehm generally concluded that Boner will fight Democratic legislation until the end of Bush/Cheney’s term to prevent them from having campaign material. He will even block bipartisan bills.
May 14th, 2008 at 5:51 pmIn other words, it’s the same old sh*t, but now, they’re calling it chocolate…
May 14th, 2008 at 5:51 pmBoner looks a little tired.
May 14th, 2008 at 5:52 pmGood ! I hope boner takes a long, long vacation like forever. Surely he has his retirement all paid up.
May 14th, 2008 at 6:01 pm…House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) said that “his party does not need to change its core principles,” but instead will bank on a “refurbished” message.
First, they don’t call him “Boner” for nothing. Of course he’s not worried — he’s not smart enough to be worried.
Second, Republican “core principles”? Bwa ha ha ha! They don’t have any PRINCIPLES! They’ve systematically violated EVERY principle known to man. And for what? To make Smirky the chimp seem presidential? It hardly seems worth it.
Third, the Republicans are supposed to be conservatives, aren’t they? Doesn’t that mean they oppose change? Won’t that just confuse the voters? Maybe that’s the point.
The Republican party is completely corrupt — right down to its core. They’re not even considering change and they don’t care who knows it. They believe that all they have to do is pay lip service to change and that’ll be good enough. (Good enough for the knuckle draggin’ wingnuts who ALWAYS vote Republican perhaps, but not good for everyone else.)
Unfortunately, as the election heats up, Republicans won’t be able to talk about change because they’ll be too busy trying to distract the voters from the fact that their party is on the WRONG SIDE of every issue. The only “issue” that they’ll be able to talk about from now to November is Obama’s former pastor, Rev. Wright. It’s no coincidence that their only “issue” is also completely irrelevant.
I hope the Repugs will heed Boner’s sage advice and continue along their current path. I’m quite sure it will result in HUGE Republican losses in the upcoming election. I’m thoroughly convinced that the one thing that America needs most right now is fewer Republicans in government.
May 14th, 2008 at 6:15 pmWhat I understand is, the Repubs care nothing for the good of the American people so will block anything that might, might look good for the Democrats. Is this childish or what?
Hello, anyone in the 30% that is voting for McCain, this is what you are proud of
May 14th, 2008 at 6:22 pmThe republicans have strayed from their core principles. They will lose more seats in the congress and very probably the white house. The deserve whatever loses they have to endure. Hopefully, it will be a wake up call to get back to those core principles. And give more of us better options, when it comes time to go to the polls.
And progressives have done an outstanding job of painting our current circumstances as the most dire possible.
But, do progressives ever worry that they have possibly set the bar too high?
I mean: George Bush - worst president ever. Worst economy since the Great Depression. Bush’s efforts to prevent terrorism - criminal acts.
When Obama becomes the president with a solid Democrat majority in the congress, what if things don’t get much better? What if they don’t get better at all? Will you still be able to point to republicans?
If you paint Bush as the architect of the worse economy in 70 years - won’t the expectation be that Obama will make it significantly better?
If Bush’s policies on terrorism have been so atrocious, won’t Obama be expected to revoke them all? Is it possible that some of those policies really do prevent some attacks? How would the public react to a domestic terror attack against the U.S. after we haven’t had one since 9/11, when Democrats are clearing in charge? What if Obama decides to keep some Bush policies because he realizes they may have merit?
Anyways. Progressives have done an outstanding job of promoting the idea that Bush has been a terrible (the worst ever) president. kudos. The only issue now will be trying to clear that bar of expectations that you have unwittingly set pretty high.
I hope you’re right. In any case, it will be interesting to watch.
May 14th, 2008 at 6:25 pmCore principles ? I have been around since Nixon and I haven’t seen anything like principles by the Republicans. Generally it is lying, cheating, paying off, Iran-Contra, dirty tricks to all opponents.
May 14th, 2008 at 6:32 pmAre you suggesting this party has ethics or principles ?
Not saying Dems are perfect, but they remember to let the peasants have some crumbs too. Republicans are the Grinch stealing all the crumbs.
John Boehner has been a member of Congress since 1991.
May 14th, 2008 at 6:50 pmtexaslady. I see it different, but it doesn’t really matter.
I just think the expectation is that Bush has made such a mess of foreign affairs, the economy and the constitution, that it shouldn’t be that hard for a Democrat to come along and make things, in all those areas, significantly better. I’m just suggesting there will eventually be expectation for Democrats to deliver on the demogogary.
May 14th, 2008 at 6:51 pmI just wondered what core principles you were speaking of for the Republican Party. Whenever they have been in charge, jobs were lost, people were left out. Anything that would benefit the masses was short changed. Dems weren’t alot better but even a crumb is better than nothing.
May 14th, 2008 at 7:05 pmThe Washington Times reports today that House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) said that “his party does not need to change its core principles,” but instead will bank on a “refurbished” message.
Same sh*t, new bag.
May 14th, 2008 at 7:07 pmBoehner, bush spill the tears so easily whenever there is a photo op. But where is the sense of using political power to benefit the country and the people who pay their salaries. At least Boehner is admitting to continuing the destructiveness of this administration. We know up front the plan should they continue in power. We have been warned.
May 14th, 2008 at 7:15 pmJohn,
This is Shinola…..
May 14th, 2008 at 7:35 pmHe is a idiopathic, bad, blue, brokenhearted, crestfallen, dejected, depressed, despondent, disconsolate, doleful, down, downcast, downhearted, droopy, forlorn, gloomy, glum, heartbroken, heartsick, heartsore, inconsolable, joyless, low, low-spirited, melancholy, miserable, mournful, saddened, sorrowful, sorry, unhappy, woebegone, woeful, wretched - scream, squall, wail, yowl; pule, whimper, whine; sniffle, snivel; groan, moan, landerer; perjurer; distorter, falsifier; equivocator, palterer; gossip, gossiper, talebearer; charlatan, cheat, cheater, confidence man, counterfeiter, cozener, deceiver, defrauder, dissembler, dissimulator, double-dealer, fraud, hustler, mountebank, pretender - MAN!
May 14th, 2008 at 7:40 pmtexaslady.
I’m more libertarian than republican, but it seemed like at one time that republicans believed in less regulation, less government. Less taxes. A strong national defense. Free Trade. At one time, didn’t they at least pretend they were the party of integrity? It’s not my issue, but republicans use to dominate the conservative social issues.
They have lost those issues, because they have chosen to be an inferior brand of democrat. Democrat lite.
I would suggest that whether they ever were these thing or not, republicans should differentiate themselves and recommit to:
Strong national defense
Lower taxes, less government
Conservative social values (not my thing, but should be for republicans)
Free trade.
Business friendly/free market economic policies (corporations and small business)
And hey, why not throw in some integrity.
May 14th, 2008 at 8:11 pmGood points, all. But I do believe that Steny Hoyer is Majority Whip. Majority Leader is Nancy Pelosi, is she not?
May 14th, 2008 at 8:12 pmBackup- Strong National Defense costs lots of Money- as in lots of Taxes. Demanding Lower Taxes while at the same time demanding a “strong” National Defense is what got us here (in part) in the first place. The two planks are mutually exclusive. Period. Anybody who believes otherwise probably believes in Santa Claus, too.
May 14th, 2008 at 8:22 pmOh, and less regulation and less government is what brought us the subprime mortgage meltdown, lead painted chinese toys for our children and hundreds of dead and injured Americans from adulterated chinese made Heparin. Among many other examples. Republicans ought to be prosecuted for treason, for the devastation they have perpetrated on this country over the last 30 years.
I’m more libertarian than republican, but it seemed like at one time that republicans believed in less regulation, less government. Less taxes. A strong national defense.
Seems the big republican loss in ‘06 spawned a whole heard of erstwile “libertarians.” How embarrassing, and humbling it must be, to align yourself with such incompetent failures, and now deny that you ever were one.
At one time, didn’t they at least pretend they were the party of integrity?
You’re almost at ground zero; the truth is, all the supposed “conservative” issues were nothing but a way to appeal to the base desires of incurious xenophobes.
I would suggest that whether they ever were these thing or not, republicans should differentiate themselves and recommit to:
Strong national defense
Lower taxes, less government
So, you want low taxes, and yet a strong defense. That you cannot see the conflict says a lot about you intellectual acumen. We already spend more on defense that all other countries combined. If you want to lower your taxes, don’t you think it would be sufficient to be spending, say half as much? That would still dwarf military spending of all other countries, just not combined.
And it looks like Crybaby is going to lose his leadership post, because he’s so incompetent.
May 14th, 2008 at 8:28 pmAnd hey, why not throw in some integrity.
Republicans haven’t had integrity since Teddy Roosevelt…
May 14th, 2008 at 8:30 pmbarfly.
I think republicans should offer an alternative to democrats.
If you are a party, you should set priorities. If the people don’t think we need a strong military - they’ll vote for the weak military party. If they think they need more revenue for, let’s say infrastructure - they’ll vote for the higher tax, more infrastructure party. I’m only saying - it should be a clear alternative, one not based on the polling of the day.
BTW, I consider myself more liberatarian only because I disagree with conservatives on most social issues. (criminalizing abortion, gay rights, etc)
But, I line up with republicans on alot of economic issues and I support Bush anti-terrorism efforts (to include the effort in Iraq) obviously more than most here.
And yes I see the conflict with higher taxes and a strong military. Let me put it this way: lower taxes and as strong a military, as we can afford while balancing the budget. (I’m not advocating that this is what I believe the country needs now, only that republicans should stand for something - regardless of the current circumstance.)
May 14th, 2008 at 8:59 pmIf the people don’t think we need a strong military - they’ll vote for the weak military party.
There’s that old strawman. I don’t believe any rational person would think our levels of military spending are necessary. I live in San Diego, and see the huge military infrastructure, and the homeless vets, panhandling in the street. Our priorities are skewed, and republicans offer nothing to address that, except ever more military spending, with little or no oversight. History has shown repeatedly; republicans don’t do oversight.
I’m not advocating that this is what I believe the country needs now, only that republicans should stand for something - regardless of the current circumstance.
Typical, kick-the-can-down-military-industrial complex road disregard for the nuts and bolts of governance. Just do it cheap, so I can buy another car on the taxes I save.
May 14th, 2008 at 9:09 pmCreativity indicates intelligence. Boehner, the GOP and the neocons have no creativity; they just keep doing the same old shit and rely on strength in numbers and unity.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:38 pmTry a “RESSECION… MISSION ACOMPLISHED” banner behind it!
May 14th, 2008 at 11:44 pmTry this for a brand: Truth, honesty, caring…
These god-damned economic concepts, such as branding, show how basically dishonest politics has become. What is branding? Taking a product and asserting that it has qualities that we admire and aspire to, without making sure that it in fact the product has these traits.
That is inherently dishonest. They’re selling a product, not making sure that our common good is looked after by the best possible candidate. And the rethuglicans have made damned sure that they have branded a fool to be the ultimate parasite.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:08 am