Ignoring the average American

All the postelection buzz is about GOP soul-searching [“Analysis: ‘Some kind of war’ coming within GOP,” seattletimes.com, Nov. 6].

I can save them some time. The Republican Party has allowed itself to be co-opted by anti-government corporate interests, the ultrawealthy and religious fanatics. The inevitable result — a party whose policies cater to special interests and ignore the needs of Joe and Jane Average.

— Larry Wechsler, Edmonds

GOP must reinvent itself

In the months to come, the Republican Party will carefully consider what went awry in 2012. The lesson to be learned: The party can recapture the presidency by reinventing itself.

The nature of America's political process compels serious candidates to embrace hard-line policy positions propagated by an ideological primary electorate. As the general election draws closer, candidates must then attempt to appeal to the broader general electorate.

During the primary, Mitt Romney adopted policies such as self-deportation and spouted other severe rhetoric that would significantly cut into his chances during the general election. He secured his party’s nomination but at too high a cost.

In the end, Romney and the Republican Party alienated too many female voters and African-American and Hispanic-American voters, causing Romney to lose the election. The very group adamant to dethrone Obama proved self-defeating.

It is in the GOP's best interest to strike a balance between maintaining core principles and developing a message that will resonate with the broader electorate.

— Brian Mickelsen, Kennewick