Following the 2012 election, Democrats have a lot to say about what the exit poll data portends. Much of the demographic data are important for Republicans to reflect upon at length.

We very well may need fundamental changes in how we engage voters in communities and online to turn out voters and we likely need a fresher approach to explaining the principles that we hold. But, in the exit polls voters also show support for Republican fiscal philosophies, and we should not make the mistake of ignoring these areas of agreement:

  1. More than six in ten (63{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222}) of voters in the exit polls said taxes should NOT be raised to help cut the deficit.
  2. A majority (51{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222}) of voters in the exit polls said government is doing too many things.
  3. More voters felt Romney would better handle the economy (49{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222} R – 48{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222} O) and the federal deficit (49{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222} R – 47{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222} O) and that Obamacare should be repealed (49{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222}) either in part (24{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222}) or completely (25{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222}).

So, while there are tactical changes to be made, on the major fiscal challenges our country faces, our principles of smaller government and fewer taxes ARE majority views. And, in the latest ranking of the public’s policy priorities conducted by the Pew Research Center January 24, 2013, 72{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222} of Americans say reducing the budget deficit is a top priority for the president and Congress this year. Which is up 19{09f965da52dc6ab4c1643a77bd40d1f729d807040cd8db540234bb981a782222} from four years ago – the largest change in the items tested in the four year span since Obama took office in January 2009 (See full rankings below).

 Public_Policy_Priorities_for_2013

 Here’s one way that we have communicated on these points as a party we may want to consider reviving:
“Yes, deficits are a problem. I’ve been saying that for more than a quarter of a century now. But the problem is not the size of the deficit; it’s the size of government’s claim on our economy.”
Ronald Reagan in a radio address to the nation, March 3, 1984

Public Opinion Strategies