Four Design Firms Take on Rebranding the GOP

A successful re-branding campaign can be run.

Here is a creative brief redux for the re-branding of the GOP:
http://staplecrops.com/index.php/2016-the-new-republican-party

In addition to not being a true conservative, George W. Bush ???is a dullard lacking any moral constraints in his pursuit of partisan gain, loyal to no principle save the comfort of the very rich, unburdened by any thoughtful consideration of
the national interest, and a man who, on those occasions when he actually does make a correct decision, does so
almost by accident.???

-Doug Bandow, The Conservative Case Against George W. Bush, The American Conservative December 2003.

A successful re-branding campaign can be run.

In addition to not being a true conservative, George W. Bush
???is a dullard lacking any moral constraints in his pursuit of
partisan gain, loyal to no principle save the comfort of the
very rich, unburdened by any thoughtful consideration of
the national interest, and a man who, on those occasions
when he actually does make a correct decision, does so
almost by accident.???

-Doug Bandow, The Conservative Case Against
George W. Bush, The American Conservative December 2003.

Here is a creative brief redux for the re-branding of the GOP:
http://staplecrops.com/index.php/2016-the-new-republican-party

The GOP needs to find a phrase that captures the essence of the party from its founding. Something like "Responsible, Responsive Leadership". It speaks to fiscal restraint and limited government, only that government which is necessary. It speaks to our moral imperative to help fellow Americans in times of need (think better response to Katrina) and our manifest destiny in foreign policy. It speaks to our base instinct of philantropy as articulated by Bush 41's "thousand points of light". It speaks to leadership and character, the cornerstones of Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. We also need to find a way to communicate with young people with a call to service that is not principled by more and bigger government, but based on the idea of teaching the tools to level the playing field. Isn't it ironic that the party that has stood for civil rights for 150 years and which placed more men and women of color in positions of power was not the first to place a person of color in the White House, but one who personifies the vision Republicans have for an equal society.

All of this is premature. Until the Republicans figure out what they stand for as an organization, this is just "lipstick on the elephant."

Well said agnostica and dredai. Intelligent and thoughtful people aren't mindless cheerleaders for one party or another, but can understand the point of view of both sides and develop a sophisticated opinion based on the merits of both sides. The Republican and Democrat Parties both have good (and bad) ideas and we need these good ideas put together to thrive as a country. It's unfortunate that more people don't approach politics in a more thoughtful manner.

I'm a 30 year old black man living in the south. It blows my mind the views on this site of both the old and young alike as far as politics go. For whatever reason we have been conditioned to think that we have to pick a team and agree with all the views and ideology of that team for sake of being a member. I personally don't agree with everything the right says nor do I agree with everything the left says but as a human I feel I have that freedom. It's like the bloods and the crips of LA in the 80s. I've had ideas when I was younger that breaking hearts was the thing to do. But then I realized that, these women were somebody's daughter and one day she could be my daughter and I changed. Does that make me a flip-flopper? And now my word is no longer relevant. It's ridiculous. As far as the GOP, it's true it hasn't made any strides in the past 30 years to suggest that this country isn't entirely made up of white male evangelical christians that love their guns, however every principle shouldn't be ignored cause of this. The one principle I don't agree with however, is the reluctance to change. The world, let alone America has changed. Women are working now, Blacks are getting educated, Latinos are growing in numbers and technology is advancing to which there is this thing called the internet that connects people all over the world to the point that the economy has even gone global. Wake up people or watch time pass you by.

Let's divide the country into 3 new ones. The Liberal United States of America (LUSA), the Socially Conservative United States of America (SCUSA) and the Benevolently Rugged Unitedly Independent States of AMerica (BRUISA). I'll live in country #3 and to hell with the other 2.

The naivite of the US electorate is astounding. The bad repubs, the wonderfule dems. The religous right ,the ungodly left. What a bunch of crap. Is it any wonder the pols constantly laugh at us behind closed doors? Simplistic sloganeering will not solve the probelms we face in the future. A single party platform will not satisfy the need for us to come together as a nation and fix the broken wheels on thwe wagon. Stop listening to the sound bites. Use your mind for something other than a repository for political party garbage.

The elephant I can take.
However, relegate the neocon Republican Party to the ashcan, never to cause grievous harm to the country again!

I don't go on these sites often because it is so distressing. It would be interesting to know the ages of the people posting. I am female and 55 years old. When I was growing up name calling was not allowed, and I'm old enough to know no one has ever brought me around to their way of thinking by calling me names or vice versa. We don't teach it to our children, yet in political circles it seems to get worse all the time. It honestly makes you wonder why anyone would desire to get into the politics.

Words like self-righteous can apply to both parties and all people at times. Every man and woman needs to take a long look in the mirror every day. Good men and women make mistakes, wrong decisions, take bad advice, and change their minds about decisions they have made. I know I have. I long for the days when people look for the good in others. It makes me sad for my grandchildren.

Maybe both parties needs new logos. Maybe perhaps something symbolizing the good things about America. There are a lot of good things about this nation and her people! It gets very tiring of only hearing nasty, negative things. It may sound Pollyanna to some people, but I put my nephew on the plane to go back to his military post this morning, to serve in our voluntary Army and go whereever he is sent to protect this nation that I love. We have enough enemies outside our borders, we don't need enemies inside.

The main qualifications for a politician should be a good person. A good person who can't be corrupted by money and power. There are people in politics who serve for the right reasons . . . to represent the people who voted for them and sent them there, to do what they believe in their heart is the right thing for our country . . . really there are . . . I know them! They are just good people, not slick politicians who have learned how to play the game and screw the system and the people who pay the bills.

I am a Republican because they are the party that represent most closely what I believe morally and politically . . . not exactly, but most closely. It may be time for a 3rd party, but right now we only have 2 we can chose from.

God help us from destroying the nation and each other from within.

It's not about an ad campaign or a 'design' for me. I am registered Republican, but voted democrat. I'm TIRED TIRED TIRED of the Republican party pandering to the religious right. "Morality" is hard to define. To me, it's immoral to ignore the fact that policies like teaching abstinence only won't work. Or, using the gay community as a scapegoat. The republican party needs to center--to evolve to a fiscally conservative platform and stay out of people's personal lives. The tactics in the last campaign of calling the Democrats "godless" or "communist" or etc etc... BIG MISTAKE!!!

I don't go on these sites often because it is so distressing. It would be interesting to know the ages of the people posting. I am female and 55 years old. When I was growing up name calling was not allowed, and I'm old enough to know no one has ever brought me around to their way of thinking by calling me names or vice versa. We don't teach it to our children, yet in political circles it seems to get worse all the time. It honestly makes you wonder why anyone would desire to get into the politics.

Words like self-righteous can apply to both parties and all people at times. Every man and woman needs to take a long look in the mirror every day. Good men and women make mistakes, wrong decisions, take bad advice, and change their minds about decisions they have made. I know I have. I long for the days when people look for the good in others. It makes me sad for my grandchildren.

Maybe both parties needs new logos. Maybe perhaps something symbolizing the good things about America. There are a lot of good things about this nation and her people! It gets very tiring of only hearing nasty, negative things. It may sound Pollyanna to some people, but I put my nephew on the plane to go back to his military post this morning, to serve in our voluntary Army and go whereever he is sent to protect this nation that I love. We have enough enemies outside our borders, we don't need enemies inside.

The main qualifications for a politician should be a good person. A good person who can't be corrupted by money and power. There are people in politics who serve for the right reasons . . . to represent the people who voted for them and sent them there, to do what they believe in their heart is the right thing for our country . . . really there are . . . I know them! They are just good people, not slick politicians who have learned how to play the game and screw the system and the people who pay the bills.

I am a Republican because they are the party that represent most closely what I believe morally and politically . . . not exactly, but most closely. It may be time for a 3rd party, but right now we only have 2 we can chose from.

God help us from destroying the nation and each other from within.

I'm a 39-year-old white male, born and raised in MS. I've always considered myself a Republican. But I've become disillusioned with a party that is more and more stodgy and less and less innovative in ANY area. In the last few years the Republicans have grown the government, sunk the economy, mushroomed the deficit, and ignored energy and environmental issues. I wish some of our representatives of all stripes would realize that America needs them to take a long view and make a stand and do what's right for a change. Reduce the government. Reduce pollution. Reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Reduce teen pregnancy by improving education and employment opportunity. Don't guilt trip me on social issues. Get out of your lobbyist's lap and look out the window. America needs someone to LEAD for a change. Focus less on focus groups and more on the unglamourous, incremental steps that build a solid foundation for the future. I voted for Obama. Until the Grand OLD Party realizes that my generation is less concerned about some of their pet social issues and more concerned about a solid economy and a hopeful future where everyone can potentially benefit, I'll be voting Democrat for environmental and energy issues for a while. (Unless Clinton runs. that's another story.)

The GOP shouldn't change or compromise. If you want a party of low moral values and socialist ideals simply become a Democrat don't destroy the only party that has any chance of preserving our dying Republic.

I don't believe the GOP has to change but stick toi it's guns. If you want a party of low values and policies that are will one day destroy this nation just become a Democrat.

I was just watching CNN interview teenagers, and these young people are smarter and better informed than most adults, especially conservatives who march about chanting the most ignorant, illogical things (???If you don???t support the war, you don???t support the troops,??? and think of the unlicensed Joe Plumber who owes the IRS and has collected welfare twice, Sarah Palin???s interview with Katie Couric, etc.). The GOP would need to use the Rule of Reason to attract young or well-educated adults. I'm skeptical.