A Tale of Two Op-Eds

[Valin]

Hugh Hewitt Blog:

John Schroeder

Monday, September 28, 2015

 

Two really interesting reads this morning. The first from Kurt Schlichter in Townhall in which he tries to figure out what a “mad as hell” Republican is supposed to do. In the end he is short on answers, but as close as he comes a short list is Rubio, Bush and Christie with a twist of Fiorina. The tone is one of “kill them all and let God figure it out.” He is PO’d and little else.

 

Then* in the Wall Street Journal come Morton Kondracke and Fred Barnes with a piece extolling the virtues of a Jack Kemp-like approach that sorta proclaims a short list of Rubio, Bush and Christie. The tone of the piece is one of reason and thought and discusses the need to look forward to something positive about America.

 

From a political/messaging viewpoint the pieces are about as opposite, while staying on the same side of the aisle, as two pieces can get. From a practical standpoint (who to nominate) they both end up in pretty much the same place. I think that is great for the primary/nominating process – the race is starting to coalesce. But it is awful from a general election standpoint. Messaging that diametrically opposed is going to confuse people, not win elections.

 

(Snip)

 

* Behind Pay Wall