The Path to Victory for CT Republicans

We all know the results of election 2014 in Connecticut. With the exception of some gains in the state legislature, once again the red wave that rolled across the nation, parted when it reached the borders of the nutmeg state, leaving us with just a sprinkle rather than the cleansing wash for which we so fervently hoped.

At the federal and statewide level, once again our candidates lost across the board, although two of our under-ticket candidates came within a hair's breadth of victory. (More on them shortly)

It is safe to say that the voters of Connecticut chose not to buy what our Republican candidates were selling.

What about Connecticut donors? 

I did some cursory research. I simply went to the Open Secret website, looked up the total CT. Republican contributions and subtracted the campaign totals to see what was left.

In 2013-2014 Connecticut political donors gave over thirteen million dollars to Republican candidates and parties. ($13,359,763) They just didn’t give it to candidates in Connecticut.

*Greenberg $1,589,000   (this number is actually less because Greenberg loaned his campaign about 900K)

Debicella $1,174,000

Brown $15,000

 Cavanaugh $88,500

Corey $21,000

Total =$2,887,500 in CT and $10,472,263 out of state.

Less than three million dollars went to Local candidates and over 10 million dollars went to Republican candidates and causes elsewhere. By the way, in 2012 Republicans gave over 35 million dollars of which, less than 8 million went to Connecticut races.

There is a lack of confidence in Connecticut’s Republican brand on the part of Connecticut’s Republican donors.

There is a lack of confidence in Connecticut’s Republican Brand on the part of voters both inside and outside of the base.

The drumbeat has already begun for a new face at the helm of CTGOP.

I would offer this. If change is to be made, what is needed is not a “manager” or a “party insider”.

What is needed is SOMEONE who is a visionary leader with the capacity to effectively articulate the conservative vision and principles to both groups in a way that they can understand and embrace. 

In short, we need a leader who can sell the Republican brand in Connecticut.

But what about the formidable Democrat ground game? How do we compete with that?

The key to an effective ground game begins with having people on the ground in the communities in question. This is achieved by showing up and forming & cultivating relationships within those areas. The time to show up is not September of election year. The time to show up is NOW. Show up and show genuine concern for the issues and challenges facing the people of our large communities.

By showing up, we have the opportunity show our principles in action. By showing up and forging relationships we begin to build a base of boots for the ground and votes for the ballot box

How do we get CT. Republican donors to be more supportive of Connecticut candidates?

Make no mistake. CT donors are very savvy individuals who already fully understand and embrace conservative principles and vision. THEY JUST DON’T SEE THEM HERE, which is why they don’t contribute here. They want their hard earned dollars to make a difference and tend to support conservative candidates and causes that they have confidence in and that have a strong base of support from others, like from the party. 

Currently, when good conservative candidates of principle and vision seek the support of many major donors, those donors are fully aware that the current vision and direction of Connecticut's Republican Party is...something different. Why then would they invest? After all, they didn't become wealthy by being stupid with their money. 

When Republicans in the state with arguably the richest donor base in the nation show something different, THEN perhaps donors will show something different...support.  

That brings us to the argument that conservatism sells everywhere else in the country but doesn't sell in Connecticut.

How then did Peter Lumaj, a candidate who from his own mouth, is absolutely and apologetically conservative, come so close to becoming our Secretary of the State?

How did Tim Herbst, who has been a firm, steady fiscal conservative leader of his town, come so close to becoming our Treasurer?

They did so by offering voters a clear and different alternative to what they have now. Neither man ran as a watered-down version of their opponent. They sold conservatism in a manner that appealed to a wide audience and they found a surprising number of buyers.

The Republican Party of Connecticut has two choices.

1: Find leadership that can effectively sell the Republican brand, energize our base and increase our presence and impact in the urban and unaffiliated voting blocks.  

Or,

2:  Continue with more of the same and continue to be ignored by both voters and donors.

   

      

  

Alper: Republicans Need to Learn How to Streetfight

Photo by April Dawn Winsley

Wayne Winsley Exclusive Interview withWilton RTC Chairman, Al Alper, candidate for CTGOP Chairman.

Wilton RTC Chairman Al Alper says he gets it, he has a plan, and he can put Connecticut’s Republican Party on the winning track. That is why he is seeking the position of Chairman of the Connecticut Republican party.

“I have a detailed, comprehensive reorganization of the Republican Party and a re-branding of the Republican Party in Connecticut that I plan to institute on day one.”

A part of Mr. Alper’s plan calls for as sustained marketing effort designed to “change the conversation” when it comes to the Republican Party and its perception, especially when it comes to younger voters.

Alper likens today’s Republicans to the British redcoats of the revolutionary war and their tradition of fighting battles in only in open fields during the day and standing in neat columns. The redcoats were totally demoralized by the colonials who attacked from the trees and at all hours.

“Because we are generally respectful, responsible and civil individuals we tend not to fight back, or we fight back in a, for lack of a better term, civil way. We fight the Democrats much like the British fought us. The Democrats have been shooting at us from the tree line, in the dark and we have been the respectful party that lines up in a column and takes our shots. We need to take this fight to them.”

When it comes to a plan for increasing Republican support in the Connecticut’s larger cities, Al Alper says that for years the CT GOP strategy has been to blunt the vote instead of converting voters in the inner cities. A strategy that Alper says is “destined to keep Republicans relegated to second place for the foreseeable future.”

Republican principles and minority values intersect at dozens of points and when Republicans effectively emphasize those points of agreement, there is an increase in minority support. And that according to Mr. Alper is as it should be.

“We are the party that essentially gave life and voice to the minority communities.”

Mr. Alper claims to have a very detailed strategy for capitalizing on those areas of agreement and converting voters in the inner cities.

Part of Mr. Alper’s plan to unify the various and almost-warring factions within the CTGOP calls for the creation of an organizational structure where all sides have,

“A voice in the direction and effort of what we do.”

Alper also places a big emphasis on the need to attract younger members to the Republican Party.

“We need to start converting people to the republican brand pre voter registration.”

Finally, I asked Al Alper if he thinks he can garner enough support among the seventy-two members of the State Central Committee to gain the chairmanship.

“I am speaking to them and I’m hoping that their desire to win and the organizational and fund-raising strength that I bring and my ability to marshal the support of the various factions, as demonstrated both in Wilton and in a congressional campaign is sufficient to convince them. I’ve done all of the pieces of the puzzle that we need in a good chairman and I’m the only candidate in the race who can lay claim to that.”