# The Repizzles are in the Hizzouse (RNC Plans for Rebranding the Image) **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 19, 2009, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repizzles-are-in-the-hizzouse-rnc-plans-for-rebranding-the-image/486548 "2009-02-19T14:18:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repizzles-are-in-the-hizzouse-rnc-plans-for-rebranding-the-image/486548/61 "2009-02-20T02:28:44Z")
I’ve enjoyed hearing Steele try to explain that jobs created with government money aren’t jobs, just “work”. Government jobs go away eventually, unlike permanent private-sector jobs, and are therefore not real. This is the GOP _chairman_, mind. [Some external perspective:](http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?STORY_ID=12599247) > [@](#): > > JOHN STUART MILL once dismissed the British Conservative Party as “The Stupid Party.” Today the Conservative Party is run by Oxford-educated high-fliers who have been busy reinventing conservatism for a new era. As Lexington sees it, the title of the “stupid party” now belongs to the Tories’ transatlantic cousins, the Republicans. > … > Republicanism’s anti-intellectual turn is devastating for its future. The party’s electoral success from 1980 onwards was driven by its ability to link brains with brawn. The conservative intelligentsia not only helped to craft a message that resonated with working-class Democrats, a message that emphasised entrepreneurialism, law and order, and American pride. It also provided the party with a sweeping policy agenda. The party’s loss of brains leaves it rudderless, without a compelling agenda. > > This is happening at a time when the American population is becoming more educated. More than a quarter of Americans now have university degrees. Twenty per cent of households earn more than $100,000 a year, up from 16% in 1996. Mark Penn, a Democratic pollster, notes that 69% call themselves “professionals”. McKinsey, a management consultancy, argues that the number of jobs requiring “tacit” intellectual skills has increased three times as fast as employment in general. The Republican Party’s current “redneck strategy” will leave it appealing to a shrinking and backward-looking portion of the electorate. > … > But the odds in favour of an imminent renaissance look long. Many conservatives continue to think they lost because they were not conservative or populist enough—Mr McCain, after all, was an amnesty-loving green who refused to make an issue out of Mr Obama’s associations with Jeremiah Wright. Richard Weaver, one of the founders of modern conservatism, once wrote a book entitled “Ideas have Consequences”; unfortunately, too many Republicans are still refusing to acknowledge that idiocy has consequences, too. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repizzles-are-in-the-hizzouse-rnc-plans-for-rebranding-the-image/486548/62 "2009-02-20T02:44:01Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > Well, that depends. Is the election of Steele a one-off or an indication of a party that is changing, even in small ways? Given that Steele barely beat Katon Dawson, a man who said he became Republican because Democrats forced his school to integrate… ---
**Author:** ![Algorithm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/algorithm/32/12204_2.png) [@Algorithm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algorithm)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repizzles-are-in-the-hizzouse-rnc-plans-for-rebranding-the-image/486548/63 "2009-02-20T02:48:50Z")
Hmm…this reminds me of [something](http://www.spartantailgate.com/forums/msu-red-cedar-message-board/99918-mcdondals-id-hit.html)… ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repizzles-are-in-the-hizzouse-rnc-plans-for-rebranding-the-image/486548/64 "2009-02-20T03:10:56Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Then they might have to sacrifice simplistic racist themes and risk a nuance. Immigration is okay, _if_ the immigrant uses proper channels, obeys the law and works hard. So, it’s amnesty, then? There is no such thing as GOP nuances. It’s black or white. Are you against illegal immigration so that you will fight it till your last breath, or are you for giving all them illegals amnesty? Which is it, boy? -Joe, realizes you’re Canadian ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repizzles-are-in-the-hizzouse-rnc-plans-for-rebranding-the-image/486548/65 "2009-02-20T03:25:26Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Do you seriously think his selection could have been the result of a groundswell of popular support for an obviously superior leader, that would have occurred irrespective of his race, someone whose skills obviously were not fully demonstrated in a single turn as a lieutenant governor? Frankly, it’s hard to say. A former Vermont governor who failed at his attempt for higher office did a reasonably good job in a similar position. I seem to recall an opposing party’s comments that he was useless. Time will tell, etc., and so on. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repizzles-are-in-the-hizzouse-rnc-plans-for-rebranding-the-image/486548/66 "2009-02-20T03:53:03Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > 😕 Which Republicans on this Board, IYE, support “kicking the gays around a little”? All the ones who oppose same sex marriage come immediately to mind. That’s sheer bigotry and malice. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repizzles-are-in-the-hizzouse-rnc-plans-for-rebranding-the-image/486548/67 "2009-02-20T07:05:15Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > If such a major tectonic shift in political ideology happens again [tangent]You’re aware that tectonics is an exceedingly slow and gradual process, right? I’d hate for this phrase to replace paradigm shift. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repizzles-are-in-the-hizzouse-rnc-plans-for-rebranding-the-image/486548/68 "2009-02-20T12:09:59Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Frankly, it’s hard to say. A former Vermont governor who failed at his attempt for higher office did a reasonably good job in a similar position. That analogy makes no sense. Dr. Dean had done his groundwork, convinced a lot of people about his 50-state approach (which worked, btw), got elected based on those merits, and succeeded. What merits, what plan, what attitude has Steele shown anyone so far? What real (not talking-point-type, like Moto has provided) qualification does he have other than race? How impressed have you been with him so far? > [@](#): > > I seem to recall an opposing party’s comments that he was useless. Based only on a pep-rally yell. Not on a demonstrated history, not to mention present, of uselessness. > [@](#): > > Time will tell, etc., and so on. Time is already under way. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repizzles-are-in-the-hizzouse-rnc-plans-for-rebranding-the-image/486548/69 "2009-02-20T13:02:57Z")
In this savvy outreach strategy, who leaps to mind as an ideal GOP emissary to minority voters? [How about George “Macaca” Allen?](http://thinkprogress.org/2009/02/19/allen-football-race/) Note to the GOP: I think that whole Nixon and China thing was lightning in a bottle. You might not want to go back to that well just yet. ---
**Author:** ![haymarketmartyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/35a633/32.png) [@haymarketmartyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/haymarketmartyr)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repizzles-are-in-the-hizzouse-rnc-plans-for-rebranding-the-image/486548/70 "2009-02-20T13:31:38Z")
Perhaps Mr. Steele is a fan of the Warren Beatty film BULLWORTH? Which would mean that not only are his politics terrible, so is his taste in film. My only regret about this story is that it comes 12 months too early. It would have been much better if Steele trotted out this brainstorm early in 2010 and made it the centerpiece of the Congressional races. Now, it will die an early and premature death and the Gop will still have an opportunity at a real viable strategy. The though of seen John Boehner in full hiphop regallia is enough to make me give up watching MSNBC. ---
**Author:** ![Ocean\_Annie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8797f3/32.png) [@Ocean\_Annie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ocean_Annie)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repizzles-are-in-the-hizzouse-rnc-plans-for-rebranding-the-image/486548/71 "2009-02-20T13:56:41Z")
It is arrogant to reach out to your Party’s established scapegoats and actually expect a warm reception. I doubt Republicans will win over urban youth. But The Heritage Foundation -–which I am convinced ran the country for eight years–is a heavily funded mass marketing machine. I can see the Right peddling a repackaged policy like school privatization. School choice appeals to urban blacks for obvious reasons. It’s also a wedge issue within the Democratic Party. Maybe the marketing firm will manufacture a hip-hop movement for school choice. It will have to be manufactured because I can’t imagine urban young people gravitating to Sarah Palin or Mark Sanford. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repizzles-are-in-the-hizzouse-rnc-plans-for-rebranding-the-image/486548/72 "2009-02-20T14:01:51Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Why should young “urban suburban hip-hop” voters be swayed by an update of the party’s image on radio, television and in print? Why should American Express pump untold millions into its [My Life, My Card](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spCknVcaSHg) campaign featuring the likes of Wes Anderson, Tina Fey, and Beyoncé? Marketing works. ---
**Author:** ![haymarketmartyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/35a633/32.png) [@haymarketmartyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/haymarketmartyr)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repizzles-are-in-the-hizzouse-rnc-plans-for-rebranding-the-image/486548/73 "2009-02-20T14:22:13Z")
This pretty much comes down to “how stupid do you think people are?” I don’t think voters are quite that stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repizzles-are-in-the-hizzouse-rnc-plans-for-rebranding-the-image/486548/74 "2009-02-20T14:45:40Z")
> [@VarlosZ](#): > > Why should American Express pump untold millions into its [My Life, My Card](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spCknVcaSHg) campaign featuring the likes of Wes Anderson, Tina Fey, and Beyoncé? Marketing works. The product still matters. Remember New Coke? Didn’t they market that? How about McDonald’s Arch Deluxe. No marketing there? I’m quite sure I remember commercials for Atari’s E.T. game, but that’s reputedly filling up landfills somewhere. I’m sure I could go on, but “marketing works” isn’t a statement you can make without qualification. ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repizzles-are-in-the-hizzouse-rnc-plans-for-rebranding-the-image/486548/75 "2009-02-20T15:12:54Z")
“This is not your father’s Republican party!” Dammit, dammit. I wanted my first new car to be a Cutlass Supreme, just like Dad’s was. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repizzles-are-in-the-hizzouse-rnc-plans-for-rebranding-the-image/486548/76 "2009-02-20T15:29:55Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > (Kind of lame stab at a tu quoque by the way. Call me when there are any real scandals. Tom Daschle ain’t quite Jack Abramoff. He’s not even a Randy Cunningham. Nor is he a Tom DeLay , Rep. Bob Ney , Tony Rudy, Mike Scanlon, Mark Foley, Dennis Hastert, Scooter Libby, David Safavian, Brian Doyle, James Tobin, Susan Ralston, John Doolittle, Conrad Burns, Jim Kolbe, Bill Frist, Lester Crawford, Curt Weldon, or Tom Noe. He might be a Claude Allen. Okay, I’ll give you that. You’ve got your Claude Allen. We’ll see what other “scandals are brewing on the horizon.”) I… I think I love you. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repizzles-are-in-the-hizzouse-rnc-plans-for-rebranding-the-image/486548/77 "2009-02-20T15:30:48Z")
[quote=“Mach Tuck, post:8, topic:486548”] > [@](#): > > _“But,” he elaborated with a laugh, “we need to uptick our image with everyone, including one-armed midgets.”_ > > Good thing too - midget amputees have historically voted Democrat. Especially those that lost their right arms. I would think they would be lefties. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repizzles-are-in-the-hizzouse-rnc-plans-for-rebranding-the-image/486548/78 "2009-02-20T15:47:14Z")
Steele seems to be taking ideas from [the Daily Show](http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=215929&title=reagraham-lincool). ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repizzles-are-in-the-hizzouse-rnc-plans-for-rebranding-the-image/486548/79 "2009-02-20T16:17:23Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > The product still matters. Remember New Coke? Didn’t they market that? How about McDonald’s Arch Deluxe. No marketing there? I’m quite sure I remember commercials for Atari’s E.T. game, but that’s reputedly filling up landfills somewhere. > > I’m sure I could go on, but “marketing works” isn’t a statement you can make without qualification. Sure the product matters, but you seem to be acting on the assumption that everyone targeted by the re-branding will feel roughly as you do about Republican ideas, which probably isn’t the case. They only need to reach a small percentage of voters (or former non-voters) to start swinging elections. ---
**Author:** ![jali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecae2f/32.png) [@jali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jali)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repizzles-are-in-the-hizzouse-rnc-plans-for-rebranding-the-image/486548/80 "2009-02-20T16:41:20Z")
[http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://multi-medium.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/01.jpg&imgrefurl=http://multi-medium.net/2007/05/09/great-moments-in-rudy&usg=\_\_DVxmHjRfURCYwiYCOoqQ5K-rGiY=&h=374&w=512&sz=32&hl=en&start=7&um=1&tbnid=ZsyMLvs2H3oPrM:&tbnh=96&tbnw=131&prev=/images%3Fq%3Drudolph%2Bgiuliani%2Bundercover%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us%26sa%3DN](http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://multi-medium.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/01.jpg&imgrefurl=http://multi-medium.net/2007/05/09/great-moments-in-rudy&usg=__DVxmHjRfURCYwiYCOoqQ5K-rGiY=&h=374&w=512&sz=32&hl=en&start=7&um=1&tbnid=ZsyMLvs2H3oPrM:&tbnh=96&tbnw=131&prev=/images%3Fq%3Drudolph%2Bgiuliani%2Bundercover%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us%26sa%3DN) Photo of "Rudy Gee: on an undercover drug bust. This is a “hip-hop Repo - ah…yo” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repizzles-are-in-the-hizzouse-rnc-plans-for-rebranding-the-image/486548.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-repizzles-are-in-the-hizzouse-rnc-plans-for-rebranding-the-image/486548.md?page=5)