Analysis: GOP embracing populist anger

WASHINGTON — Hello, fiery populism. Goodbye, fire and brimstone.One by one, before an annual gathering Friday of the religious right and other "values voters," conservative leaders blistered President Barack Obama's health care plan as socialism, warned of expanded government and derided bailouts of private industry as grossly unfair to taxpayers."Our trust remains in God, not government," said Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, who criticized an "ongoing effort of this administration and the liberal majority in Congress to take over our health care."Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., predicted an "an avalanche of socialism" under Democrats and claimed they were "putting runaway federal spending on steroids."And Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., declared, "We cannot let a crippling debt or an ever-expanding government stifle the American dream."Republicans, and particularly the GOP's right, are harnessing anger by using age-old us-vs.-them appeals and embracing issues like the economy, health care and big government to counter Obama in hopes of finding a winning strategy after consecutive losses in national elections.By doing so, the party may have found a broader context within which it can fit cultural, religious and social topics that keep hard-core GOP voters happy but sometimes turn off moderates and independents.During George W. Bush's tenure, Republicans heavily promoted issues such as those dealing with God, gays and guns, and they got traction with religious conservatives. Speakers at gatherings like the Values Voters Summit, which got under way Friday, spent much of their time denouncing abortion, same-sex marriage and firearm restrictions.But the narrow strategy had its limits because most Americans aren't single-issue voters.These days, such issues aren't emphasized so much, though conservatives use the health care debate to fight abortion and government-mandated counseling in end-of-life decisions.Enter the wider political opportunity created by a country that's going through an

Add comment

Nick
Content

Submit