New GOP Group Promises “A New America”
Faced with dwindling numbers in Congress and a perception of being the party of “NO”, a group of prominent members of the Republican Party have launched a new initiative that will try to make a fresh case to the public about ideas and policies important to Republicans.
The new organization is called: The National Council for a New America.
The NCNA will go on the road with a series of forums, town halls, and an online outreach. Organizers hope to: “amplify the common-sense and wisdom of our fellow citizens through a grassroots dialogue with Republican leaders.”
Issues that are most important: Economic Recovery, Health Care, National Security, and Energy.
The members described as the “experts” include Governor Haley Barbour, Governor Jeb Bush, Governor Bobby Jindal, Senator John McCain, and Governor Mitt Romney.
In a conference call today, members were quick to note that this is not a “rebranding” of the GOP. Senator McCain said point blank:
“This is not a quote “rebranding effort.” It is an effort to include as many Americans as possible of all party and affiliations and across the political spectrum in a conversation so we can come up with concrete solutions for the country and our future.” Attempting to distinguish this comeback effort from the 1994 Gingrich led resurgence, McCain said, “This is not a “Contract with America.” This is a conversation with America.”
Also included in the group are members of Congress: John Boehner, Eric Cantor, Mike Pence, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, John Carter, Pete Sessions, David Dreier, Kevin McCarthy, Roy Blunt. Mitch McConnell, Jon Kyl, Lamar Alexander, John Cornyn, and John Thune.
The group stresses, “this is not a Republican-only forum” and promises “this forum will include a wide open policy debate that every American can feel free to participate in.”
One source familiar with this campaign stressed the new group will aim to reach mixed audiences of Republican, Democrats and independents on major issues.
“You’re not going to see just a group of Republicans on a stage preaching to people. This is going to be an honest conversation with the American people, and not just to entirely friendly, Republican audiences,” said the source.
Another source tells me that a one of their goals with this group is to get the GOP “on the right track” and start addressing the needs of the American people.
The NCNA will hold its first event in Arlington, VA this Saturday morning. It will be a town hall style meeting featuring Gov. Romney and Gov. Jeb Bush among others.
***If there are any readers who will be attending, please e-mail me with your comments, I want to hear from you.
Judging by the makeup of the group, it sounds like a coalition to fight terrorism that includes Iran…or a coaltion to fight for human rights that includes the world’s bloodiest dictatorships…or any United Nations meeting or subcommittee.
Nice reporting (again) Rich, but when I hear things like this, it makes me think Mr. Ambrosia is actually underestimating how long Democrats are going to rule this country.
April 30th, 2009 at 2:13 pmJohn Mccain is part of this group, ok I guess we know how this will end up…
April 30th, 2009 at 2:32 pmHaley Barbour and Bobby Jindal, good. The others, hmmmmm.
I’ll wait and see on this.
April 30th, 2009 at 2:59 pmI’m with Trevor. Let’s wait and see. I am hoping that this will be their way of presenting conservative solutions to issues now that both chambers in Congress has effectively silenced them. Unfortunately, they have disappointed me frequently in the past.
April 30th, 2009 at 3:10 pmTell me when Jim DeMint, Mark Sanford and New Jersey’s Scott Garrett are going to attend. That is the time I will start to believe that the Republican Party is serious about a “New America”.
April 30th, 2009 at 5:24 pm[...] including Mitt Romney, House Whip Eric Cantor and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Richard Ross reported here on CWA! last week regarding this effort aimed at ‘rebranding the party and [...]
May 4th, 2009 at 11:16 am