Townhall.com, Where Your Opinion Counts
Talk Radio:   Bill Bennett   Mike Gallagher   Dennis Prager   Michael Medved   Hugh Hewitt   
BREAKING NEWS  LeftArrow - Townhall.com : Conservative, Political, Republican   RightArrow - Townhall.com : Conservative, Political, Republican  
Columns, funnies & more in your inbox!
Login | What's Hot
  • Check the boxes and send us your email address to receveive your free newsletter
  • Your daily must-read of conservative columns, cartoons and news. Coulter, Sowell, Krauthammer and more.
  • Townhall.com’s weekly inside scoop on what’s happening behind the scenes in the world of politics. When news breaks, we report.
  • Signup to receive the latest daily Townhall cartoons
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Hugh Hewitt :: Townhall.com Columnist
The Next GOP Chair: Questions for the Job Interview
by Hugh Hewitt
Forward Print Share Single Page
Vote on It:
Average Vote:
[+] Text [-]
 
 
Poll
Will the Dems' health care Christmas Present to America be an improvement or detriment to our health care system?


I don't know who would make the best chairman of the Republican National Committee.

But I know the questions each candidate should be asked in any serious effort to identify the best communicator and organizer for the four years ahead.

Here are the key inquiries for the job interview process:

Why did the GOP lose in 2006 and why did McCain-Palin lose in 2008?

How great is the technology gap between the RNC and DNC? Please describe it in detail. How can it be closed? Who would you ask to oversee this part of the RNC's operations?

Why did the youth and Latino votes break decisively towards Barack Obama? How should the Republican Party address both demographics?

What amount of emphasis should the GOP place on national security, economic growth and the social issues? Each category of issues has a determined group of party activists passionate about their causes, so who gets the priority?

Please tell us what books have had the most impact on you in the past five years? What should the GOP's elected leaders and state chairmen be reading if they want to be informed on the most crucial issues of the day?

Which blogs do you read? Who are the "influencers" you care the most about?

Which campaign professionals do you most admire and why?

What did you make of the presidential nominating process? Should it be changed? If so, how?

What is the key to a successful appearance on television? On radio?

How do you intend to raise money and how much do you intend to raise?

Which House districts are in our top ten targets? Which statehouses currently held by Democrats can be brought into the GOP category in 2010? Which U.S. Senate seats in 2010 can be flipped from blue to red in 2010? Do you have any candidates in mind? Please name names.

Each of these questions would reveal a significant amount about a would-be chair's grasp of the job ahead, and the ability to answer with specifics and candor would tell us a lot about whether the candidate would bring refreshing transparency and crucial communication skills to the job. I will be inviting each of the announced candidates for the job on to the program and will pose these questions and others. If you have any suggestions, pass them along to hugh@hughhewitt.com.

Share:
Forward Print Single Page
Vote on It:
Average Vote:
 
About The Author

Hugh Hewitt is host of a nationally syndicated radio talk show. Hugh Hewitt's new book is The War On The West.

Be the first to read Hugh Hewitt's column. Sign up today and receive Townhall.com delivered each morning to your inbox.

Join The Debate!

Post Your Comment
(27 comments so Far)
View in ascending order     View in descending order
Reply # 1
Date: Nov 14, 2008 - 12:23 AM EST
The Next GOP Chair: Questions for Job
I've read the nice things fron Evangelical Christians about sticking up with the LDS per the Prop 8 passing. A lot of kind and endearing things have been said from these good Christian leaders. Pundts believe this would be a boost for a Romney run in 2012. I do not agree--no lock.

Mitt was the best equipped to do the POTHUS job baring none. BUT, a sure thing is better. For anybody who has ever really delved into Romney's background--he is an amazing human. His experience, success, and abilities to solve problems are unmatched anywhere. He could organize the republican party like no ones business. He'd get more ground gained for the GOP than anyone can imagine!!! His inventiveness, far reaching thought process and astounding thoroughness would transform the GOP beyond our widest dreams. In Mass. they have a term for being matchlessly brilliant, its termed "wicked smart". He's that and more! The democrats heads would be spinning and they'd not be able to figure his strategies out. The more he'd figure ways to run circles around them the better he'd get day by day. That's how sharp he is. What he'd learn and apply would be the state of the art in faking the democrats out of their shorts. Anybody that works under him will have fresh new ground broken by Romney for a long legacy of republican wins, posturing, debate points etc. He'd reinvent the republican party and their image. You can't conceive his abilities! He will blow you away with brilliance!!

It would have been great to have him as Prez but the world as it is now will never let that happen. A lot of people should work Romney over on the issue.

His abilities and the SPEED ar which he solves problems is also legendary. In two years he may have set things up so well, he might still be able to run for Pres too. His implamentation abiliities with a lot of input from Newt would be powerful success. Once it was set in motion, Newt would be giggling with glee every time he was interviewed.
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 2
Date: Nov 14, 2008 - 12:46 AM EST
GOP questions for talk radio and Fox
Will you give the Republican nominee 100% support? If there is a run off between two Democrats will you still support the Republican nominee 100%, instead of the dividing the support of the Republican nominee with a Democrat of your choice? Will you give the Republican nominee air time on a 24/7 basis the way you did with your adopted Republican sweetheart Hillary Clinton? Are you in talk radio going to encourage Republicans and Conservatives to crossover and vote for a Democrat? Will talk radio attack the Republican nominee as much as the Democrats. Will talk radio let the Republican nominee run their own campaign and not expect the Republican nominee to act like those in talk radio does toward the Democrat nominee. If there's are going to be question for the GOP, it's important to know if the GOP has questions for the people we hear from the most who makes a big impact on elections. Don't you think so?
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 3
Date: Nov 14, 2008 - 4:49 AM EST
Michael Steel and the death penalty
Well Michael Steel is campaigning on going back to Republican principles but I know that he is against the death penalty, I don't know what his stand on the second amendment is, but those two issues frequently go hand in hand, someone had bet check into this, eyes open now or regret later!
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 4
Date: Nov 14, 2008 - 9:30 AM EST
Pro 2nd amendment.
Opposed to the death penalty. The two positions are complimentary, not antithetic.
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 5
Date: Nov 14, 2008 - 9:37 AM EST
Thanks, Hugh
Your interviews will be most helpful and I hope the candidates for the job will be prepared. That said, I am quite concerned that some of the driving forces behind the voting results of this election just past are beyond turning around by the GOP. I hope I am wrong. I believe too many Americans have gone along with economic welfare policies, a declining sense of morality and reduced expectations for our leadership illuminati for too long. The inertia may be too much to overcome.
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 6
Date: Nov 14, 2008 - 9:43 AM EST
What is your opinion of the 2nd Amendmen
This is the ultimate litmus test. Everywhere, in every instance, disaster has followed infringement of the right to self defense. Any pol who does not staunchly defend the 2nd Amendment proves he is an elitist with contempt for the common man. He thinks in his heart that govt can run your life better than you can. This is the best and kindest interpretation. Motives get only worse from there.
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 7
Date: Nov 14, 2008 - 9:58 AM EST
Wanted: Conservative Constitutionalist
Wanted: Conservative person with no skeletons in their closet, no links to lobby groups or special interest groups. Interested responder must also --
* believe in fiscal responsibility and eliminate wasteful projects and pay-offs to special interest groups.
* conduct meaningful oversight on the effectiveness of government programs,
* constrain the federal government to its legitimate constitutional functions.
* limit government's reach into citizen's lives.
* understand that government is NOT a substitute for family or community
* insist on the appointment of constitutionalist judges who will not deny the people’s right to self-government.
* support efforts to ensure integrity in the voting process and to prevent voter fraud and abuse,
* support removal of illegal aliens convicted of crimes
* support law-abiding citizens by protecting their right to keep and bear arms for self-protection
* assert the sanctity of all human life and affirm that unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life
* uphold and defend other conservative core principles as determined by Republican constituents

Qualified candidate should deliver resume to GOP Headquarters ASAP
Sincerely,
The American People

Flag as Offensive

Reply # 8
Date: Nov 14, 2008 - 10:00 AM EST
The GOP needs to.....
.. Elect someone to the RNC Chair who is:
HONEST.
NOT A SMEAR MERCHANT.
SOMEONE WITH ACTUAL IDEAS.
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 9
Date: Nov 14, 2008 - 10:29 AM EST
What are the correct answers?
"Why did the GOP lose in 2006 and why did McCain-Palin lose in 2008?"

The correct answer here (IMHO) is that we had a liberal for a Republican candidate. Hugh, YOU think the reason we lost is because we didn't 'reach out' to the moderates. Asking the right questions is one thing, having as clue as to what the right anwsers are is something entirely different.
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 10
Date: Nov 14, 2008 - 10:46 AM EST
Nana:
You are on the right track, but your criteria leave too much wiggle room for populist and democrat politicians. If the federal government is once again reduced to performing only its Constitutional functions, most of the conflict in our society will disappear naturally.

One example of a logical error in your thinking, all illegal aliens, by definition, have committed a crime. Your demand for removal of alien criminals is then comprehensive. You want candidates to support the removal of all aliens who are here illegally.

There are other holes in your logic, but as I said you are on the right track. You just need to think it through a little more and remove the logical errors in several of your recommendations.
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 11
Date: Nov 14, 2008 - 11:26 AM EST
Sure!
Elect Howard Dean!

You've gone this far RNC, might as well totally emasculate yourself!
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 12
Date: Nov 14, 2008 - 11:50 AM EST
GOP - R.I.P.
THe corrupt GOP is on a respirator.
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 13
Date: Nov 14, 2008 - 12:12 PM EST
Republican losses
The Republican losses of 2008 were not because of idealogy. I was the ECONOMY STUPID. Pure and simple. As bad a campaign as McCain ran, Ronald Reagan couldn't have won this time. When you have so many angry people who lost a lot of money, they are going to blame the party in power.
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 14
Date: Nov 14, 2008 - 12:28 PM EST
The GOP is not dead, like
many members of the leftist illuminati would like everyone to believe. The current economic situation made it impossible for any Republican to win this election, and Obama played it with skill in his favor.
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 15
Date: Nov 14, 2008 - 2:19 PM EST
Obama not even a natural born US citizen
Hey folks don't you think arguing about "obama policies" is a bit presumptuous?
HE'S NOT EVEN PROVED THAT HE'S A NATURAL BORN U.S. CITIZEN! And the truth is HE CAN'T because he was BORN IN KENYA and he doesn't have a certificate of LIVE BIRTH for the State of Hawaii, only a "certification" for FILE purposes only [basically a note from his mother] and of which would not even allow a person to get a drivers license.

2012 Conservative Resistance Movement:

#1 We do not acknowledge Barack Husein Obama as President of the United States. [Never refer to him as president because he is not fit to serve this great nation. He is not even a natural born U.S. Citizen, as is required to hold office of the presidency.]
http://moniquemonicat.wordpress.com/2008/11/07/%E2%80%A2-20 12-conservative-resistance-movement-1-we-do-not-acknowledge -barack-husein-obama-as-president/

The latest on the fake Obama birth certificate cases:

http://moniquemonicat.wordpress.com/wp-admin/page.php?actio n=edit&post=420

If you care about the US Constitution and TRUTH demand Obama stop this charade!

-An Independent
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 16
Date: Nov 14, 2008 - 3:55 PM EST
Richard in TN and Screwtape
Richard: I agree, even Reagan probably couldn't have won this election due to the momentum (negative) of economic meltdown and the positive momentum that BHO received from MSM.

Screwtape: HH was a vocal critic of JSM before and during the primary. When JSM won, HH became a promoter because he had no other realistic choice. The broader view being the GWT and Supreme Court nominees from JSM more likely to conform to Roberts, Alito, Thomas.
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 17
Date: Nov 14, 2008 - 4:00 PM EST
Too many blue-blood RINOS....
in the PRESENT GOP for my liking.......Michael Reagan is correct.....if the conservative movement is to regain traction....it has to be at the grass-roots level....hence, I believe abandonment of the PRESENT GOP is in order and should be started anew.

The "new conservative party" (NCP) creation may be just the ticket (pun intended).

I do not see any way to purge the old, entrenched fossils from positions of leadership and power in the present GOP.....therefore, a break away for the grass roots of conservatism should occur on a massive scale.
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 18
Date: Nov 14, 2008 - 4:41 PM EST
Jeff
Where was the MSM's extensive coverage on BO's PARTNERSHIPS with Ayers, Raila Odinga, Rezko, the Marxist Chicago "Democratic" Socialists (see the New Party), Rev Wright, and Farrakhan among many, many others? Where were they when BO approved checks for Ayers' (see the anti-American "Peace School") and Acorn's "educational" projects, in addition to rubber stamping a $75,000 grant to Rashid Khalidi, a Yasser Arafat protege in the PLO, while Chairman of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge and as a board member of the Woods Foundation?

When he supported Black Liberation Theology at his church with thousands of dollars, and employed influential Nation of Islam adherents on his Illinois Senate staff?

When as late as 2006, he campaigned for Marxist murderer Raila Odinga in Kenya.

The MSM's hiding of the information aforementioned and burying the Dhimmicrat Congressional "leadership's" responsibility for the financial collapse by requiring Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to set aside 50% of mortgages to individuals who could not hope to repay won this election for BO.

Give credit where credit is due. It wasn't that "Obama played it with skill in his favor." The MSM "played it with skill in his favor."

Revelations of the facts above by the MSM in any manner approaching impartiality would have doomed BO's campaign.

Not only do we now have the first African-American in the White House, we have the first Marxist!
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 19
Date: Nov 14, 2008 - 4:46 PM EST
Pandering to Hispanics is Losing Strateg
H.H. and the Republican Elist reveal their penchant for Amnesty once again. If your going to put Hispanics at #3 on your list of priorities above Taxes, Spending Restratin, and Foreign Policy.... The good riddance to the GOP!

McCain, Amnesty for all John McCain.... Lost the Hispanic vote. This should end all debate on whether we should chase the Hispanic vote by PANDERING to illegal aliens.

Guess what, Conservative Hispanics care about the same thing Conservatives all care about. Don't copy the Democrats by Colorizing the Party Platform.




Flag as Offensive

Reply # 20
Date: Nov 14, 2008 - 7:00 PM EST
why was the youth vote lost?
conservative social issues

that simple
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 21
Date: Nov 14, 2008 - 8:30 PM EST
The Constitution
Obama announced he is committed to "fundamentally changing America." Since America is fundamentally founded on the Constitution as amended how does Obama plan to fundamentally change America without some significantally changing it without going through the amendment process?
In my opinion is counting on the media to convince Americans the Constitution is a "Living document" and then spewing forth "Executive Orders" like the water over Niagara Falls. Then we have a New, fundamentally changed America. The media owns American opinion.

DEsailor
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 22
Date: Nov 15, 2008 - 10:31 AM EST
Romney would be the best choice....
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 23
Date: Nov 16, 2008 - 5:33 PM EST
Questions to ask the RNC Chair candidate
What are you going to do to overcome the Republicans utter lack of ability to communicate?

Mitch Miller
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 24
Date: Nov 17, 2008 - 6:13 AM EST
hire meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!
GOP LOSS IN 2006, LOSS IN 2008? - 2006 loss, Iraq War took too long. soup got cold while waiting for it to turn around. 2008 loss, McCain-Palin lost? Are you sure? Why isn't the media covering this???
TECHNOLOGY GAP - eliminate gap through scorched earth/denial strategy. botnet ddos.
YOUTH AND LATINO - legalize marijuana to stone the youth vote. tap george lopez to run in 2012.
SECURITY, ECONOMY, SOCIAL - what's that? just legalize pot and get george lopez, and we'll be fine.
BOOKS READ? - does stuff on youtube count?
BLOGS READ? - Hugh Hewitt's
"INFLUENCERS" - no drugs ... much.
CAMPAIGN PROFESSIONALS - i despise them all. i will hire them and shoot off their kneecaps. die! die! die!
PRES NOMINATING PROCESS? - replace with mixed martial arts tournament. we need someone who can take down Putin! put Lopez on steroids and HGH and train with Brock Lesnar. he'll need to strength train and improve his stand up and ground fighting - especially submission holds.
KEY TO MEDIA APPEARANCES - the most important thing is to show up. otherwise they biatch and moan about it forever. also bring a firearm and display it prominently.
RAISE MONEY? HOW MUCH? - print counterfeit currency by cutting deal with North Korea. hope to raise $946 billion in cash.
HOUSE, GUV, SENATE, CANDIDATES - $946 billion dollars + legalized pot + bulked up George Lopez choking out Putin = landslide victory.
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 25
Date: Nov 18, 2008 - 6:15 AM EST
what we need!!!!
we need to face reality !!! we are lost in a conceptual ideological desert , a pseudo intellectual cluster-f*** designed and perpetuated by a bunch of ivory tower ninnies that all wear glasses!!, and look the same.. Hugh Hewitt, Dennis Prager, George Will.. people with no sense of HUMOR!!! People are tired of us!!!.. the incessant moralizing, the self righteous bloviating!!, the never ending attachment to an ideology that is both ridiculous, and completely disconnected to reality and the desires of people and the nature of LIFE ITSELF!!! COME ON LET's FACE IT!!! REAGAN was an idiot.. had it not been for the utter failure of liberals, we would still be the the old BIRCH SOCIETY.. lets TAKE OFF THESE BORING CLOTHES!! lets get naked and FREE... lets INVENT something WORTHWHILE!!..something that contributes to humanity, not just feeds our overblown sense of SELF IMPORTANCE!!!!
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 26
Date: Nov 20, 2008 - 12:06 PM EST
Demand Obama PROVE US born citizenship
Act NOW: Demand Obama PROVE He's A US Natural Born Citizen!

Isn't arguing about "Obama's horrendous policies and cabinet picks" a little PREMATURE & PRESUMPTUOUS? He's simply NOT QUALIFIED to be president because he is not a natural US born citizen; and if the GOP were SMART they'd focus on this and ONLY THIS NOW UNTIL RESOLVED!

worldnetdaily.com — Subject: the time for CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS is NOW This may be the most important thing we can do in the next four years. Fight for freedom while we still have it. Please spread this message far and wide. Paste links below on TownHall.com and anywhere else you visit while blogging. Contact radio & TV stations... And remember, Goliath lost.

Get the latest updates on the Obama fake birth certificate cases:
http://moniquemonicat.wordpress.com/2008/11/10/%E2%80%A2-la test-update-on-obama-birth-certificate-case/

View Obama’s fake birth certificate:
http://moniquemonicat.wordpress.com/obama-proof-he-was-born -in-kenya-fake-birth-certificate/
Flag as Offensive

Reply # 27
Date: Nov 20, 2008 - 7:58 PM EST
How the GOP cold find meaning
Every Republican needs to be able to state what is important about the party---and many can't do it.

If you don't believe in democracy, local government, the original US constitution, and the importance of the individual, then how on earth can you preach these things to other nations?

Every Republican should read the Constitution, and then prepare to defend it.

Then, at the next election, there will be something important to talk about.


Flag as Offensive
Sign Up to Post Your CommentsSign Up to Post Your Comments
If you are already registered, click here to login. Otherwise, please take a few seconds to register with Townhall.com. Once you sign up, you’ll be able to post your comments immediately, use the action center, get podcasts, and more!
Note: Fields marked with a red asterisk (*) are required.
Salutation:
First Name:
*
Last Name:
*
Email:
*
Nickname:
*
Note: Nick name will be shown when you post comments.
Address 1:
*
Address 2:
City:
 *
State:
 *
Zip:
 *
Phone:
       
Your daily must-read of conservative columns, cartoons and news. Coulter, Sowell, Krauthammer and more.
(Bi-Weekly) We highlight the best opportunities from our partners for surveys, action items and more.