What Is the Future of the Republican Party?

Mitt Romney's not the only Republican loser. Several high-profile conservative candidates were trounced in Congressional races. The poor election results have prompted accusations and soul-searching about what the Grand Old Party should become.

Published

7 months ago

Categories

US

Topics

US Politics, Women, Hispanic Americans, United States

People

Barack Obama, John Boehner, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Stephen Hess

Places

United States of America

Transcript

SCRIPT : Republicans went into Election night expecting a tight race for the White House, but not defeat. NAT SOUND Mitt Romney (man), Former Republican presidential candidate (English, 4 sec): "I have just called President Obama to congratulate him on his victory." GOP leaders are now soul-searching for answers in the aftermath. SOUNDBITE 1 Newt Gingrich (man), Former Speaker of the House (English, 12 sec): "A whole group of us frankly misunderstood what was happening in the country. We thought at 8 percent unemployment -- or approximately 8 percent -- with gasoline the price it was etc., that it would be almost impossible for Obama to be reelected." Romney's loss exposed the growing gulf between the Republican party, and women and minorities. Exit polls showed he lost with women, African-Americans, Asian-Americans -- and the largest ethnic group in the U.S. -- Latinos. Out of 12 million ballots cast by this key voter bloc -- more than 70 percent went to Obama. A result, experts say, caused by Republicans' perceived hostility to immigration reform. SOUNDBITE 2 Stephen Hess (man), Brookings Institution researcher (English, 13 sec): "They're going to have to make some changes right there. They may have to get together with the president on some sort of immigration legislation and that could be one of the big pieces of legislation of 2013." Outreach to minorities will likely be a matter of political survival -- as will compromise with Obama on looming fiscal reforms. It's a change in tone from 2008, when many right-wing legislators vowed to make him a "one-term president." This time, the Republican Speaker of the House extended an olive branch. SOUNDBITE 3 John Boehner (man), Speaker of the House of Representatives (English, 12 sec): "We want you to lead, not as a liberal or conservative, but as President of the United States of America. We want you to succeed. Let's challenge ourselves to find the common ground that has eluded us." But Boehner still may not be able to reign in his caucus's ultra-conservative Tea Party wing. 51 out of 55 Tea Party-aligned legislators were re-elected. A better record than moderate Mitt, and they may try to push their party even further to the right. But without a strategy to turn the Grand Old Party into a big tent party, Republicans may not win the White House for a long time to come. -------- SHOTLIST: BOSTON, NOVEMBER 6, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - medium shot of screen announcing the victory of Obama - wide shot of the returns screen, with supporters of Mitt Romney BOSTON, NOVEMBER 6, 2012, SOURCE: POOL **NO RESALE** for non-editorial use - NAT SOUND Mitt Romney BOSTON, NOVEMBER 6, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - wide shot of Mitt Romney with his family WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 7, 2012, SOURCE: CBS **RESTRICTIONS: NO RESALE for non editorial purposes No Japan No Free over the air broadcasters in Australia No US cable news outlets, free over the air networks or stations, their websites and their mobile phone services - SOUNDBITE 2 Newt Gingrich NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 6, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - various shots of a polling station MIAMI, NOVEMBER 6, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - various shots of a polling station WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 7, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - various shots of Stephen Hess - SOUNDBITE 3 Stephen Hess WASHINGTON, ARCHIVAL IMAGES, SOURCE: AFPTV - medium shot of Capitol building - wide shot of Capitol building WASHINGTON, JULY 14, 2011, SOURCE: POOL **NO RESALE** for non-editorial use - two shots of John Boehner at a press conference WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER 8, 2011, SOURCE: POOL **NO RESALE for non-editorial use** - various shots of Barack Obama in Congress WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 7, 2012, SOURCE: POOL **NO RESALE for non-editorial purposes** - SOUNDBITE 4 John Boehner WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 2, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - various shots of the Tea Party in front of the Capitol building CHICAGO, NOVEMBER 7, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - shot of Obama supporters WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 7, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - shot of Obama supporters in front of the White House