What Republicans Must Do at their Convention
by Carol Swain, Professor of Law and Political Science, Vanderbilt University

August 28, 2008

Republicans should kick off their convention in a most unconventional and memorable manner. Instead of singing God Bless America and blasting Democrats, Republicans should ascend the stage with their heads bowed and collectively plead for God’s mercy and forgiveness. Republican repentance should be followed by prayers for wisdom, direction and vision for bringing about a better, more prosperous America. After all, it was George Bush and Christian leaders who prominently invoked the words of the prophet Jeremiah, “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, pray, seek my face and turn from their wicked ways I will hear from heaven and heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14). Republicans should apologize for how their leaders have shamelessly lied to the American people, allowed our troops to commit unspeakable acts abroad, turned deaf ears and blind eyes to human suffering, trampled civil liberties and civil rights, ignored the cries of the poor, serviced the rich, exploited immigrants all while falsely claiming authority as the party of God. By now most Americans have figured out that God does not have a political party.

What we need are God-fearing leaders who will seek divine wisdom before making irrevocable decisions that place the security and well-being of the people at home and around the world at risk. National security is important and nations must be prepared to use force when there are threats to their sovereignty. But America cannot solve the world’s problems while its own citizens suffer from poverty, injustice and indifference.

Moreover, it is not the messianic Barack Obama who can heal America’s self-inflicted wounds. Republicans must find a means to truly connect with the same Wal-Mart shoppers the Democrats seek. The GOP party platform must include credible plans for rebuilding America’s crumbling infrastructure, restoring the quality of public schools, addressing the energy crisis, investing in human capital, reforming immigration, correcting the trade imbalance, and restoring the eroding power of the American worker. Republicans must put forth a plan that reaches and mollifies the thousands, if not millions, of disgruntled and disaffected independents who’ve had enough of both political parties and want a leader who puts the interests of Americans above the interests of corporations and nations abroad.

Republicans must also reach out to racial and ethnic minorities. They can begin at their convention by educating Americans about the racial histories of each political party. Bruce Bartlett reminds us that Reverend Martin Luther King’s historic speech was aimed at persuading a resistant Democratic Congress to take action on Civil Rights. Historically some of the most virulent racists have been Democrats. If Republicans are to be relevant in the future, they must show that they can forge and maintain an integrated party.

Given the state of the nation, Republicans have their work cut out for them. A John McCain win could seemingly indicate that a critical mass of voters decided that the devil you know may well be preferable to the one you don’t.