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| Blunt Report Says G.O.P. Needs to Regroup for ’16 | Blunt Report Says G.O.P. Needs to Regroup for ’16 |
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| WASHINGTON — Republican leaders on Monday offered a sweeping self-critique of a party they said was in an “ideological cul-de-sac” and needed better outreach and a new brand of conservatism to appeal to younger voters, ethnic minorities and women. | WASHINGTON — Republican leaders on Monday offered a sweeping self-critique of a party they said was in an “ideological cul-de-sac” and needed better outreach and a new brand of conservatism to appeal to younger voters, ethnic minorities and women. |
| But the call for change in preparation for the 2016 presidential election faces a Republican establishment in Washington that has so far shown little interest in altering its political trajectory in the party’s continuing battles with President Obama and Democrats. | But the call for change in preparation for the 2016 presidential election faces a Republican establishment in Washington that has so far shown little interest in altering its political trajectory in the party’s continuing battles with President Obama and Democrats. |
| In a sign of that reluctance to change, the 100-page assessment immediately drew fire from conservative activists and pundits who derided it as a retreat from fundamental principles. Rush Limbaugh, the radio talk show host, accused Republicans of being “totally bamboozled” and lacking in confidence. | In a sign of that reluctance to change, the 100-page assessment immediately drew fire from conservative activists and pundits who derided it as a retreat from fundamental principles. Rush Limbaugh, the radio talk show host, accused Republicans of being “totally bamboozled” and lacking in confidence. |
| Conducted by the Republican National Committee after the 2012 election defeat, the report is searing in its bluntness. Still, one of the main solutions it offered was new logistics rather than new policies: It called for fewer presidential debates and a shortened primary season, with the Republican National Convention to be held sometime before its traditional date in August or September. | Conducted by the Republican National Committee after the 2012 election defeat, the report is searing in its bluntness. Still, one of the main solutions it offered was new logistics rather than new policies: It called for fewer presidential debates and a shortened primary season, with the Republican National Convention to be held sometime before its traditional date in August or September. |
| The party’s stated goal with a shortened political calendar is to settle on a presidential nominee sooner in the process, which would allow the candidate earlier access to general election funds. But Tea Party members said Monday that the abbreviated calendar was an attempt by the Republican National Committee to tamp down debate. | The party’s stated goal with a shortened political calendar is to settle on a presidential nominee sooner in the process, which would allow the candidate earlier access to general election funds. But Tea Party members said Monday that the abbreviated calendar was an attempt by the Republican National Committee to tamp down debate. |
| The document also urges all members of the party to “smartly change course” in what appears to be in part a marketing campaign to persuade voters that Republicans are not narrow-minded and out of touch. The report says that the “federal wing” of the party, unlike the nation’s Republican governors, is increasingly marginalizing itself. | The document also urges all members of the party to “smartly change course” in what appears to be in part a marketing campaign to persuade voters that Republicans are not narrow-minded and out of touch. The report says that the “federal wing” of the party, unlike the nation’s Republican governors, is increasingly marginalizing itself. |
| “We have become expert in how to provide ideological reinforcement to like-minded people,” the report says. “But devastatingly, we have lost the ability to be persuasive with, or welcoming to, those who do not agree with us on every issue.” | “We have become expert in how to provide ideological reinforcement to like-minded people,” the report says. “But devastatingly, we have lost the ability to be persuasive with, or welcoming to, those who do not agree with us on every issue.” |
| Representative Greg Walden of Oregon, the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, responded with one word: “Ouch.” | Representative Greg Walden of Oregon, the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, responded with one word: “Ouch.” |
| But he added, “The last thing Republicans should become is Democrat Lite.” He said that his party needs to better articulate what it is for “without ever retreating from our principles.” | But he added, “The last thing Republicans should become is Democrat Lite.” He said that his party needs to better articulate what it is for “without ever retreating from our principles.” |
| The report acknowledges a new willingness to overhaul the nation’s immigration system, saying that the alternative is a party whose appeal “continues to shrink to its core constituencies only.” Already, Republicans are working with Democrats on legislation that many in the party believe will be crucial to attracting the support of Hispanics and other minorities in future elections. | The report acknowledges a new willingness to overhaul the nation’s immigration system, saying that the alternative is a party whose appeal “continues to shrink to its core constituencies only.” Already, Republicans are working with Democrats on legislation that many in the party believe will be crucial to attracting the support of Hispanics and other minorities in future elections. |
| But on other issues — taxes, gun control, same-sex marriage and health care — the report is largely mute. In Washington, an openness to change among some Republicans is overshadowed by a party leadership that has repeatedly declared its intention to adhere to the party’s fundamental principles. | But on other issues — taxes, gun control, same-sex marriage and health care — the report is largely mute. In Washington, an openness to change among some Republicans is overshadowed by a party leadership that has repeatedly declared its intention to adhere to the party’s fundamental principles. |
| Over all, Tea Party activists reacted with dismay to the report. “Americans and those in the Tea Party movement don’t need an ‘autopsy’ report from R.N.C. to know they failed to promote our principles, and lost because of it,” Jenny Beth Martin, a co-founder of the Tea Party Patriots, said in a statement. | Over all, Tea Party activists reacted with dismay to the report. “Americans and those in the Tea Party movement don’t need an ‘autopsy’ report from R.N.C. to know they failed to promote our principles, and lost because of it,” Jenny Beth Martin, a co-founder of the Tea Party Patriots, said in a statement. |
| Some Tea Party members also expressed concern on Monday that the proposed changes to the presidential primary system would undermine the ability of conservative activists to support their preferred candidates. | Some Tea Party members also expressed concern on Monday that the proposed changes to the presidential primary system would undermine the ability of conservative activists to support their preferred candidates. |
| Even though the national committee asked for her feedback as part of research for the report, Amy Kremer, chairwoman of the Tea Party Express, said, “I wouldn’t say that we still have a seat at the table.” | Even though the national committee asked for her feedback as part of research for the report, Amy Kremer, chairwoman of the Tea Party Express, said, “I wouldn’t say that we still have a seat at the table.” |
| Ms. Kremer added, “We’re the one factor they can’t control, and so they keep us at arm’s distance until they see that we can be useful, and then they embrace us.” | Ms. Kremer added, “We’re the one factor they can’t control, and so they keep us at arm’s distance until they see that we can be useful, and then they embrace us.” |
| The national party’s report, called the Growth and Opportunity Project, is the latest contribution to hand-wringing among Republicans since Mr. Obama defeated Mitt Romney. Drafted by national committee members and party strategists, including Ari Fleischer, a former White House press secretary for President George W. Bush, the report incorporated feedback from focus groups, online surveys and interviews with activists and consultants. | The national party’s report, called the Growth and Opportunity Project, is the latest contribution to hand-wringing among Republicans since Mr. Obama defeated Mitt Romney. Drafted by national committee members and party strategists, including Ari Fleischer, a former White House press secretary for President George W. Bush, the report incorporated feedback from focus groups, online surveys and interviews with activists and consultants. |
| “There’s no one reason we lost” in 2012, said Reince Priebus, chairman of the national committee, on Monday. “Our message was weak. Our ground game was insufficient. We weren’t inclusive. We were behind in both data and digital. And our primary and debate process needed improvement.” | “There’s no one reason we lost” in 2012, said Reince Priebus, chairman of the national committee, on Monday. “Our message was weak. Our ground game was insufficient. We weren’t inclusive. We were behind in both data and digital. And our primary and debate process needed improvement.” |
| Leaders in the party, including Speaker John A. Boehner of Ohio and Representative Eric Cantor of Virginia, the majority leader, praised the report, saying that the logistical changes it proposes will be critical in the next presidential election. | Leaders in the party, including Speaker John A. Boehner of Ohio and Representative Eric Cantor of Virginia, the majority leader, praised the report, saying that the logistical changes it proposes will be critical in the next presidential election. |
| “I’m particularly glad the report makes a strong commitment to digital, data and voter outreach, and I’ve told the chairman he will have my full support as he moves forward with retooling these strategies and tactics,” Mr. Boehner said in an e-mailed response to questions about the report. | “I’m particularly glad the report makes a strong commitment to digital, data and voter outreach, and I’ve told the chairman he will have my full support as he moves forward with retooling these strategies and tactics,” Mr. Boehner said in an e-mailed response to questions about the report. |
| Authors of the report on Monday declined to endorse changing the party’s platform on key issues as a way of reaching out to a new constituency. On same-sex marriage, for example, they said the party should stick to its opposition even though Mr. Romney lost by wide margins among gay and lesbian voters. Senator Rob Portman, Republican of Ohio, last week announced his support for gay marriage rights, citing his son, who two years ago disclosed to Mr. Portman that he is gay. | Authors of the report on Monday declined to endorse changing the party’s platform on key issues as a way of reaching out to a new constituency. On same-sex marriage, for example, they said the party should stick to its opposition even though Mr. Romney lost by wide margins among gay and lesbian voters. Senator Rob Portman, Republican of Ohio, last week announced his support for gay marriage rights, citing his son, who two years ago disclosed to Mr. Portman that he is gay. |
| “We support traditional marriage, the way our creator defines it,” said Glenn McCall, a Republican National Committee member from South Carolina who helped draft the report. “But we also support Senator Portman and the love he has for his son, and he’s still a good Republican.” | “We support traditional marriage, the way our creator defines it,” said Glenn McCall, a Republican National Committee member from South Carolina who helped draft the report. “But we also support Senator Portman and the love he has for his son, and he’s still a good Republican.” |
| In releasing the report, Mr. Priebus announced that the national committee would invest $10 million to bring on new staff to help appeal to young, female and minority voters. They will be charged with delivering an “aggressive marketing campaign” among those demographic groups about “what it means to be a Republican.” | In releasing the report, Mr. Priebus announced that the national committee would invest $10 million to bring on new staff to help appeal to young, female and minority voters. They will be charged with delivering an “aggressive marketing campaign” among those demographic groups about “what it means to be a Republican.” |
| But that debate is already under way, and it is not clear that other Republicans have reached the same conclusions as the authors. | But that debate is already under way, and it is not clear that other Republicans have reached the same conclusions as the authors. |
This article has been revised to reflect the following correction: | |
| Correction: March 19, 2013 | |
An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Glenn McCall, a Republican National Committee member, was from North Carolina. He is from South Carolina. |