Demetra Demonte, Republican National Committeewoman for Illinois, said enthusiasm reigned at the Republican National Committee meeting in Maryland last week.
“The consensus is if we stay on message, work hard and work smart we could have a repeat of 1994! The scoop: we have a real chance to pick up nine seats in the U.S. Senate and win back the House. Several governorships should be pick-ups as well,” Demonte said.
Demonte said she was particularly energized by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
“He believes this is the most consequential election in American history due to our security and fiscal problems,” she said. “Our government is not functioning properly because it is not controlling our borders.”
Demonte said Gingrich, who was the architect of the Republican takeover in 1994, warned that it’s not about winning the election in November, but it’s about being accountable to the voters. She said Gingrich insisted the Republican Party must be a party that shows what it will do when it is back in power, as opposed to what it will not do. Gingrich said Republicans must “institutionalize good government,” she said.
Demonte said RNC leaders recommended each state set up a structure of legal experts and election experts to closely monitor the polls on election-day.
During the RNC meeting Demonte addressed the importance of Republican and conservative coalitions.
Empowering the coalitions is a key to Republican victory in November and beyond, she said.
“We can access these networks to spread our message, send out key talking points – get out information quickly. The network connects activists with voters - and candidates with voters,” she said.
The key to Demonte’s plan is simple – focus on issues that unite Republicans, independents and conservative Democrats. Focusing on commonalities strengthens connections and translates into votes for Republican candidates, she said. With the help of the Republican National Committee Demonte provided training in communications and messaging to coalition members. Demonte said providing these tools means each member of the coalition becomes an effective communicator of the Republican message.
Demonte said her speech was well received and her strategy is being emulated in other states.
Special speakers at the meeting included Former Speaker of the House Newt
Gingrich, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Congressman Pete
Sessions, Senator John Thune, Governor Bob McDonald and political
consultant Frank Luntz.
Rabbi Isaac Jeret, a former Democrat now turned Republican, also addressed
our group. Rabbi Jeret explained how the Jewish vote is in play, with 50%
of the Jews who voted for Obama seriously looking at Repubican candidates.
Coalition building was also a major focus of the meeting. I was asked to
speak to the RNC membership on Ilinois' efforts to build grassroot
initiatives and the the importance of this outreach in winning elections.