Are the Republicans "Bringing SEXY Back"?

Maybe you didn't notice the latest move by the Republican Party: a party that has been dragged through the dirt by a combination of the last 8 years in Washington and its own incompetence. Their brand is extremely tarnished.

With a brand in the gutter and no place to go but up, they rose in style by choosing a black man as their National Party Chairman. His name is Michael Steele, a former lieutenant governor of Maryland who lost a 2006 senate race. He's smooth, energetic and shines in the media spotlight. If the Republicans wanted a little spark, they got at least that in Mr. Steele. (Below are a few paragraphs along with the link from the New York Times article)

"It's time for something completely different, and we're going to bring it to them," Mr. Steele said. "We're going to bring this party to every corner, to every boardroom, to every neighborhood, to every community. And we're going to say to friend and foe alike: 'We want you to be a part of us. We want you to be with us, and for those of you who are going to obstruct, get ready to be knocked over.' "

Offering a hint of the tone he would take as his party's spokesman, Mr. Steele said the Republican Party had been unfairly caricatured by Democrats "and the media" as racist and insensitive to the needs of ordinary Americans.

"We have an image problem," he said. "I think how we begin to correct that image problem is defining ourselves to the people of this country."

"We've been misidentified as a party that doesn't care, a party that is insensitive, a party that is unconcerned about minorities," he said, adding, "Nothing can be further from the truth."

In deliberations that stretched over nearly five hours and six ballots, Republicans suggested that they saw selecting an African-American chairman as helpful in redefining the party's image.

In a final ballot fraught with racial and political symbolism, Mr. Steele faced as his only remaining opponent Katon Dawson, the chairman of the South Carolina party, who had been criticized for belonging to a whites-only country club, a membership he resigned before this election began.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/31/us/politics/31repubs.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Why did the Republican party make this bold move?

Simple answer. President Barack Obama.

An interesting dynamic about the election of our new President is:

A) There were people who DIDN'T vote for Obama because of the color of his skin. Most know this fact but if there was ever a doubt, one only needs to google some of the uneducated, hateful or racist comments about the candidacy of our new President. A black man running the United States was disheartening or frightening to some American citizens.

B) There were also those who DID vote for Obama mainly because of his color. President Obama received "Elvis" like worship from some supporters who embraced him because he was young, good looking and black. If you don't understand this point, talk to some of your well-rounded or worldly friends about the complex image of the black man in America, Europe and around the globe.

To illustrate my point on a surface level, below are a few (of numerous) unsolicited comments told to me or heard in America and Sweden over the years:

-- Being Black is hip (prevalent for decades in Sweden a person recently told me)

-- You're are so lucky to be black

-- As a Black man, you can get any woman you want

-- The Black man is really popular now

It is quite intriguing when a black man can be so despised (A above) and at the same time given high praise (B above).

In my opinion, the Republicans paid close attention to point B, along with the flowery media attention and vast worship that Obama enjoyed (often unconditionally) from millions. They wanted a piece of that Obama SIZZLE in order to battle the Democrats for the next four years. Now they can begin the rehabilitation process of making conservative cool again!

The Republicans are taking a page from Justin Timberlake's playbook and trying to "Bring SEXY Back" to a time like the 1980's when:

a) Ronald Reagan enchanted America
b) Conservative was King
c) Reagan Democrats were abundant

Will Michael Steele make a difference? Yes, particularly in remaking the brand, delivering a coherent message and inspiring potential new voters.

Will the difference by significant? No, not in the near future. It will take years to undo the bad taste and anger that the majority of Americans have about the party and the previous administration. In addition, blacks vote around 90% Democratic and that will be difficult to change.

I give them a lot of credit for moving quickly, having courage and showing a bit of competence; something the party has sorely lacked. This is a good first step.

I am confident that most Americans who voted for Obama, did so for a number of reasons that had nothing to do with his color and everything to do with his message, stance on issues, intellect or character.

Let's not forget that the color of one's skin in America mattered before the election, it matters today and it will matter in the future. Having a black President is helpful for America in many respects but doesn't change that fact. We can only hope that in future years, the color of one's skin is less of a factor than the more important "content of one's character". This election proved that most of us can look beyond color although that occurs less frequently in mainstream America.

Two things are clear:

1) President Obama's historic election shows that America is heading in the right direction in regards to dwindling the damaging effects of racism.

2) The Republican Party took quick notice of the Obama factor and added some color (Mr. Steele) to a party in desperate need of a change.

These are very good things.

Happy Gswede Sunday!
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