When looking at control of state legislatures, 2008 was not the abject disaster for Republicans that much else was. The Democrats did come out ahead, but not by much—flipping five state chambers, to the Republican’s four. But fully one half of the Republican’s successes came from one state—Tennessee, which took full control of a split Senate and took control of a Democratic House by flipping—as it happens–exactly four seats.
Today, the chairman of the TNGOP, Robin Smith, outlines the reasons for their success as he sees them. (Via Glenn Reynolds.) I wanted to highlight one part of his analysis in particular, namely that Tennessee Republicans were successful because they were running on clearly stated and clearely defined issues that resonated with the electorate:
Voters elected legislators that carried the same values and principles that are held by average citizen in these districts. Those values and principles are pretty simple.
* Taxes and spending: The government should live within its means and oppose higher tax bills to fund a bloated budget; the voters know government needs to cut spending.
* Gun Rights: Voters want commonsense carry laws making it easier for them to protect themselves and their families.
* Local economies: Families in their community know that improvements are needed by investing in transportation and education infrastructure to support existing jobs and recruit new businesses. They are tired of the powerbrokers in Nashville increasing entitlement programs instead.
Republican messages on taxes & spending and local economies are going to be similar in every state, and when stated appropriately, should have the same kind of success. The third leg of the stool–in this case, gun rights–may vary from state to state. Whatever it is, it needs to be as simple and straighforward as these three.
There’s another key factor, though one this site will eventually be most concerned with—the quality of the candidates. Smith writes:
Candidates, who displayed the courage to challenge Democrat incumbents and in open seats were solid, qualified individuals. They were not just “known” in their communities. They are people that truly represent the values of their communities.
You’ll note this one is a lot less specific—but in some ways, it’s a lot more important, and a lot more difficult. And that’s why it’s the main thing we’re going to be focusing on.
Congratulations on the election success in Tennessee. Your point about education and transportion is very pertinent as these are two major items that businesses evaluate when looking for places to locate and expand their operations.
Keeping taxes as low as possible is important also as the Arizona legislature has discovered, Click Link:
Think Arizona