Triad Young Republicans Blame Party's National Defeat on Human Dissconnect

Triad Young Republicans Blame Party's National Defeat on Human Dissconnect

November 15, 2012 |

More than a week after the 2012 national elections, many Republicans are still dissecting why the Mitt Romney/Paul Ryan ticket did not win the White House.

In the Triad--Stephen Kent says he's proud to be a young Republican. Earlier he spoke with WFDD's Senior Producer Kathryn Mobley and explained he believes this defeat clearly illustrates the party is disconnected with the general populace.
"I think the disconnect with the Republican Party is compassion. I think over time the Democratic Party has been able to claim compassion for people in need and compassion for people who are being overwhelmed by society and overwhelmed by oppression. And I think the Republican Party has fallen victim to being able to say they care about people. And I think the Republican Party does care about people. I think we have solutions that benefit everyone who is in need and wants to get back up on their feet. But we require different things and more sources of responsibility. And I think the sooner we can come across as the party that cares about people and start reflecting genuine love for all people in America then it will be a better party and a better future for this country."

"You said that even though Mitt Romney did not capture the presidency, you're sit optimistic. Why?"
"Two consecutive losses for the presidency certainly set things into perspective for the party and the places where this party has become archaic. Also, I think there is a cultural perception of the Republican Party that's inaccurate for their conservative beliefs; there is a certain amount of infighting and the Tea Party that has dominated the media coverage. The image of the party is the image of the 'old'. And I think in 2016, with (Wisconsin Representative Paul) Ryan, ( Florida Senator Marco) Rubio, (Louisiana Governor Bobby) Jindal, possibly (South Carolina Governor) Nikki Haley and (New Jersey Governor) Chris Christie you're going to a wave of different brand Republicans, younger Republicans and minority Republicans who are going to change or at least challenge the way people see the Republican Party. And I think that's very important for us. The sooner we get these people out there and change out brand, the sooner we can start winning these big elections. And I'm definitely optimistic about being a young Republican right now because we are the people who will get to make that change."