Chairman Reince Priebus used the event to spell out the GOP’s new agenda, which focused on nearly a dozen topics that stretched from the economy to immigration and national debt to education. While his speech generated excitement among the base, it lacked a plan for how lawmakers can turn these proposals, like securing the border, into a reality.
Priebus said, “We need an immigration system that secures our borders, upholds the law and boosts our economy.” Yet there was no explanation of how his party would do so. He said, “We can’t reward those who break the laws and punish those who wait in line,” but ceased to mention if his party supports granting amnesty to the 12 million illegal immigrants currently in the U.S.
America does not need another speech that reminds voters of the dilemmas it faces because the problems have remained the same every other year. Just compare the 2008 and 2014 Republican platforms, and one can see the principles are the same only listed in a different order. Voters do not want another summary about the issues, they want a concrete plan that details who, what, when, where and how these situations will be handled.
Voters know the southern border is not secure. They are aware that 700 miles of that border is awaiting a fence. However, their problem is not being unaware of those facts as much as it is being unable to affect change.
The only political strategy seen Thursday was repetition and unfortunately those who don’t learn from their mistakes are bound to repeat them.