The Party of Business

The party of business should look to business as a model in building its efforts over the next two years.

Money is the lifeblood of a political party. Grass roots volunteers may be the most important asset a candidate or party has, but money is vital. Last summer even getting from point A to point B posed a challenge to many good candidates. The West Virginia Republican Party took a giant step by retiring its debt last year. Now it must move forward from that foundation.

Fund raising simply cannot boil down to "We're Republicans, you are Republicans, you should donate because we all believe the same thing and have the same goals." When you purchase a product for $1,000 or even $100, you put thought into that purchase. Is it good for me? Will it work? Will I get the most for my money? Businesses sell to self-interest. Charities appeal to the heart and sense of duty. Political parties often fall somewhere in between. State Republicans should move farther in the direction of the business model when trying to convince donors to give.

It's not so much the ideology that needs sold. We are "Republicans for a Reason." Certainly we need to continually reshape and refine our message as the times change and generations reprioritize, but there are guiding principles that remain the same. To get people to believe in the party, they must be sold on the people and the potential for action. What will the GOP do differently in two or four years? What vision is being shaped this year to carry us forward and win elections? How are we going to close the registration gap? Before most people write a meaningful check, they want answers to those questions. The February winter meetings should be a strong indicator of what the party's vision will be going ahead towards 2010.