Friday, October 2, 2015

A Clear Statement

We've written about the disconnect between the views of big money GOP donors and those of the Republican base. For example, see the immediately prior post.

Here the CEO of the parent firm of the Carl's Jr. and Hardee's fast food restaurant chains writes a clear statement of the donor class view for RealClearPolitics. Compare his concerns with your own.

There is some overlap, to be sure. We agree about the disaster the Obama administration has been, about the erosion of our world position. About much else, he just doesn't get it. See what he writes:
As every candidate surely knows, particularly those from the business sector, whether you’re trying to win over retail customers, tenants, advertisers or voters, you can’t offend (or insult) people into supporting you. If you’re a candidate who stands for serious and optimistic change, why give the media the opportunity to focus voters on infighting and grandstanding? No one wants a PC candidate but Republicans can’t win the presidency by playing into the Democrats’ narrative of Republicans as the bigoted, anti-immigrant, anti-woman party. If you can’t win the presidency, what difference does it make if you win the Republican nomination?
Translation: Anybody - illegal or otherwise - who might buy a hamburger and fries is okay with him. And note well, many of his Carl's Jr. Restaurants now carry a full menu of Mexican food choices in addition to the burgers and fries.

That is a clear statement of the big donor view of the GOP base, they believe we are "bigoted, anti-immigrant, anti-woman." Traveling by private jet and living in gated communities, their reality is very unlike ours.

The bottom line: Do we still agree about enough issues to allow them to dictate the party platform? If not, are we willing to fund a winning campaign or do we say "screw it" and stay home?

The donors need us as much as we need them, they need to recognize that reality. On the other hand, can the country withstand the grief of another 4-8 years of Obama-lite if we stay home?