Donald Trump once told Republicans that if they elected him, they would get tired of winning. But lately, it's become just the opposite. Republican voters are tired of losing, especially in Congress. After three straight disappointing election cycles (2018, 2020, 2022), Republicans narrowly took control of the House, only to dump the House Speaker (Kevin McCarthy), expel one of their own members (George Santos), and in the latest embarrassment, fail to impeach DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
All of these failures have created the perception of the GOP as perpetual losers, always a step behind the Democrats and slipping on the banana peel. Steve Munisteri, former Texas GOP Chairman, says most of these losses can be chalked up to the numbers game. "Anytime you have a slim majority like Republicans do now, it just doesn't work, and then when you combine that with the other party having control of the other chamber, you can't get your agenda through," he tells KTRH. "The problem is, you have to win by big margins, or else you have dysfunction."
Therein lies the issue. The GOP needs to win more elections, but that has proven easier said than done in recent cycles. The party has finally started embracing mail-in and early voting after Democrats built huge advantages in those areas. Many voters want to see elected Republicans engage in a more bold agenda to go after Democrats, but Munisteri believes the issue goes deeper than that. "Years ago, the Democrats adopted a 50-state strategy, even in Republican states like Texas," he says. "We do not have a national strategy of working in all 50 states, and working there year-round."
"The party is too top-heavy," he continues. "There are too many employees in Washington year-round, and not enough employees out in the field around the country."
With the 2024 election season just ramping up, the GOP may be in for some changes. RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel is reportedly preparing to step down and make way for new leadership in the weeks ahead.
Ultimately, winning on Capitol Hill or at the White House starts with winning on the ground. "You have to win by large margins at the ballot box, and that should be our goal," says Munisteri.
Photo: AFP