For a few years now, the Republican Party has been losing public favor due to its strained policy decisions. Disagreements within the party on immigration, climate change, and a host of other issues have left it vulnerable.
The party’s future, however, may lie in its past. As the 2020 election heats up, the Republican Party is looking to draw on its past experiences to remain competitive and hopefully win the White House. This strategy features the return of once popular Republican icons and a return to classic conservative values.
The Party’s leadership is hoping that the reintroduction of former conservative political figures like Ronald Reagan can bring the party together and provide direction. Reagan’s policies of lower taxes, increased military spending, and deregulation are seen as having a positive impact on the economy and creating jobs. While Reagan’s policies are no longer completely relevant, they provide a blueprint for what Republicans should strive for in today’s political climate.
The reintroduction of former Republican figures is only the beginning. In order to stay competitive the Republican Party must move away from the extreme right fringe, and move towards a more centrist, inclusive agenda. Re-focusing attention on fiscal responsibility, free trade, and individual liberty could help the party shed its current image and draw in new supporters.
The Republicans must also look to embrace technology and social media in order to reach a larger base. Utilizing platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube can help the party spread its message more efficiently to millennials and Generation Z, two demographics that the Republicans need to draw support from in order to win the next election.
These changes will not happen overnight. The Republican Party must take the time to recognize its past and move towards a vision of the future. If it is successful, the party could make a successful comeback and set itself up for decades of influence.
From welcoming Ronald Reagan back to reconsidering its approach to social media, the Republican Party is in the process of evolving. The party’s success in the 2020 election will heavily depend on how well its leadership succeeds in this endeavor. Whether or not it will succeed remains to be seen, but for the GOP, the future of the party truly is in its past.