What the Republicans should do to address the problem

 In the previous post, I talked about how I think the Republicans are in trouble going into the 2026 elections.  Now let's talk about what I think they should do about it.

Start by recognizing there is a problem.  I've heard Republican officials and some pundits say "well these were Blue states so its not surprising Democrats won."  I'm sorry - a Democrat AG candidate won after it was revealed he wished death on a legislator and the legislator's two kids.  I don't care what how you color the State of Virginia, that shouldn't happen unless Republicans have a problem.

After we admit we have a problem, look at why Democrats won.  In the New York Mayor's race, and the Governor races in New Jersey and Virginia, the winning candidates promised to fight President Trump.  We need to give people a reason to ask - why would you oppose what Trump is doing?  In NY and NJ, candidates promised to fix higher costs facing voters.  In those states, turnout was remarkably higher than normal - how did the Democrats do that.

0. Epstein files - Democrats pivoted from the Govt. shutdown to this issue.  Fortunately, President Trump flipped his position and supported passage of the bill calling for release of the Epstein files.  As long as there is nothing in there showing President Trump sleeping with an underage girl, this should be a non-issue by Election Day.

1. It's the economy/affordability stupid!  We have a socialist antisemite who will be Mayor of New York, a city with the largest Jewish population outside Israel, because he convinced people he could make the city more affordable.   Nationally, Democrats are arguing falsely that prices are skyrocketing because of Trump and his tariffs.  

Fortunately, this week, President Trump seemed to recognize the issue and is taking steps.  He's reducing tariffs on key products (coffee and beef for example).  The White House staff and his Cabinet members, like Scott Bessent are using the word affordability and talking about what the President has done.

We need to add communications via social media and elsewhere giving examples of areas President Trump has reduced prices - like gasoline and eggs.  

2. Healthcare costs - Democrats used this as an excuse to shut down the Government for 43 days.  To sway some Democrat Senators to open the government, Senate Majority Leader Thune promised the Democrats a vote on a bill of their making.  Republicans need to expect the Democrats to come up with a bill loaded with garbage that won't be acceptable at all and should have an alternate simple extension of the Obamacare subsidies.  I'd suggest it be for 2 years so it doesn't become a campaign issue in 2026.

Also, let's have some ads with people who have benefitted from President Trump's negotiations with pharma companies.  How about some couples who can now afford in vitro fertilization, or people who can now afford other medications to improve their health.  Let's make those cost reductions real by putting people's faces in front of them.

3. Electing Democrats equals getting bad government and higher taxes.  We need to compare and contrast States and Cities run by Republicans versus Democrats.  For example: 

California, Washington and Oregon have the highest gas prices in the US, States where the Democrats have complete control.  Republican run Oklahoma and Mississippi have the lowest.

States run by Democrats - California, Hawaii, New York and New Jersey have the highest income tax rates in the US. Republican run states like Texas, Florida, and Wyoming have no income tax at all.

Eight of the top 10 States with the highest electricity costs are controlled by Democrats - House, Senate and Governor. 

Republicans are taking a beating because of the cuts in federal government spending and federal employee layoffs.  The way to fight back is to who voters that if you want a well run government that won't cost you as much money, you need to elect Republicans.

4. Let's show the tax benefits of the One Big Beautiful Bill.  Let's get some people on social media ads talking about how much they saved in taxed because of no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, etc.  Secretary of Treasury Bessent said the vast majority of people have not changed their deductions.  That means a lot of blue collar workers are going to see serious refunds on their taxes next year.

5. President Trump has talked repeatedly about the investments that are being made in the US.  He uses $17 Trillion dollars as a figure.  That number is not one I or most other people can comprehend.  How about showing me social media ads with people who now have good jobs because of that.  Recently on Fox News I heard about electricians being paid 6 figure salaries in Texas because they are needed to build the plants there.  How about auto workers hired to fill jobs brought back to the US?  Let's see real people saying thank you President Trump and Republicans.

6. Foreign policy - this is a race on the economy so foreign policy won't play a bit role.  But it wasn't that long ago protesters were up in arms about people starving in Gaza.  Show film of Palestinians dancing in the streets thanking Trump for the peace deal.  Show food deliveries in Gaza.  Put it in people's face that Trump got Israel to swallow some of their issues and agree to withdraw, allowing peace to occur.

7. Illegal immigration - run some social media ads with faces of the worst of the worst and what they have done.  We've done that a little bit but its been a half-assed effort if you ask me.  Also, show victims of crimes by illegal immigrants with people thanking President Trump.  Republicans are getting beaten up on this issue because Democrats are focused on the people caught up as collateral - the illegal immigrant who has been here for years with no criminal record who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Secondarily, come up with a way for those individuals to get back into the country quickly and legally.  Take that side of the issue off the table.

8. Let the Democrats eat their own not us.  Already there is a primary opponent for Hakeem Jeffries.  We're expecting Chuck Schumer to be primaried.  The Democrat leaders in the House and the Senate face opposition and their opponents are farther left and more radical.  Other Democrats are retiring rather than face such opposition.  Let them fight amongst themselves.  We should retire the phrase "RINO" forever and be happy that anyone with an (R) after their name wins an election.  For example, name me a Republican other than Susan Collins who could have been elected to the Senate in Maine.  We need Republicans in the House and the Senate to hold the majority and conservatives are not going to win in some locations, so let's stop whining and instead focus on winning.  

Let Democrats be the ones who become more radical and turn toward socialism.  Everyone says the majority of American's won't go that way.  Republicans need every vote we can get in Congress, regardless of whether they are conservative, moderate, or even liberal, so we can be the majority party.

9. Turnout - The elections in NJ and VA were supposed to be close, according to the polls.  Then the Democrats turned out their voters.  Republicans need to get people energized and to the polls or all the work done on the issues above will be meaningless.  

If you think I missed something or have the order wrong, feel free to weigh in with comments.