NEWT GINGRICH: 5 Principles Republicans Should Never Forget
In 1994, Republicans won our first House majority in 40 years with the Contract with America. Two years later, we became the first re-elected GOP House majority in 68 years. We learned many lessons in this process —…
In 1994, Republicans won our first House majority in 40 years with the Contract with America. Two years later, we became the first re-elected GOP House majority in 68 years. We learned many lessons in this process — lessons that today’s Republican House majority could put to use.
First of all, it is not enough to do the right things. You must do the right things in the right way to keep the trust and support of the American people.
If you do the right things in the wrong way — without buy-in from the American people — you’ll be deserted. Then, your opponents will become a majority and immediately repeal all the good things you did.
I have been thinking about this specifically about the budget reconciliation bill which House Republicans are trying to pass. I realized there were five principles Republicans should follow for communicating the right policies in the right way.
Numbers are Meaningless
Do not talk in numbers. Talk in values. We successfully passed welfare reform because it was about the moral imperative of work and independence. The reform just happened to save money.
Similarly, Medicare Advantage was about increasing the range of choices for retirees, and it happened to save money. Republicans should always lead with values argument and answer questions at a values level. If you lead with numbers — and argue about numbers — you will lose people’s attention and get buried in math problems.
Speak to Everyday Americans
Republicans should explain every policy in terms the average family can understand.
What does this new policy mean to them? Why is it the right policy for their lives and their future?