Call Me GOP

We’re zeroing in on our bracket of Republican thought leaders. With your input (thanks!) we’ve got a set of sixteen Republicans to vote for, including some we suggested (Colin Powell, Ann Coulter), and some of your own (Ron Paul, Bobby Jindal).

So on Monday, it’s time to vote. And tell your friends! Tell Ron Paul’s friends! Friday we’ll announce the Final Four, and work it down to your choice for G.O.P. spokesperson, and the process will continue.

Remember, even more important than your vote is why you voted as you did. We’re trying to draw insights about the Republican Party…insights we will gather and deploy in the next phase of our Story process, the metaphor exercise, when we ask questions like: “If the G.O.P. were a vehicle, it would be _________ because _________.” And you might answer, “A Volvo, because it is safe and reliable.” Or: “A Harley, because it’s annoyingly loud.”

It’s going to be fun, we promise. So come back Monday to see your Sweet Sixteen, vote and tell your friends, and help us help the G.O.P.

Despite many pleas to remove herself from tomorrow’s Young Republicans’ election, Audra Shay is staying in the race. She made the news recently for some troubling Facebook activity. Would you urge her to drop out? Her remarks don’t exactly spread a message of acceptance, do they?

How does a party “refine” its principles? The Tennessean weighs in on the G.O.P. “implosion.”

Young Republicans say it’s a “tough time” for their party. G.O.P. leaders want to learn from their youth. That’s great, but they don’t say what they want to learn. I want to know what young conservative voters can teach their party. Maybe more important is this: is the party willing to listen?

Pedro Espada’s back on the Dem’s side giving them the majority again after the June 8 coup of the New York Senate. This isn’t the first time party swapping has been used as a political tool. If party affinity can be flip-flopped so easily, is there really a difference between Dems and Republicans or is it just red-team, blue-team? And if you believe as we do that there IS a difference, what are the core values at the unchangeable core of the Republican party?

Okay, I know I said I’d stop, but it’s hard. Talking about the woman can be just so…so…addictive. As reported by the Huffington Post today, “Pullin’ a Palin” gets a second entry Urban Dictionary. Pretty funny, but does she really deserve the bad rap she’s received? I’m going to pull a Palin* and leave the question open for debate.

* Old definition: “avoid answering questions directly because you don’t know the answer.”

I know I’ve been talking a lot about Sarah Palin lately — only because the story has dominated the news. But an opinion piece in the NY Daily News says that to move forward, the G.O.P. has to get over the Alaskan governor. I feel like the party has such mixed (and extreme) feelings about her. What are yours?

This is an interesting and informative video presentation covering the two-year campaigning efforts — from both parties — for the 2008 presidential election.

Michael Steele gave his party a pep talk at a fundraiser in Indiana. He also called for Republicans to reach out to the youth, saying, “This is not your mother’s or your daddy’s party anymore, it is your party…Step up and step in.” Read the story here.

We’ve had an overwhelming response to our “Sweet Sixteen” tournament. Obviously, some changes need to be made to the bracket. A bunch of you have weighed in already, but well, we still want more. This is last call — we’ll take suggestions up ‘til 6 p.m. (EST) today. So make your voice heard now…or forever hold your peace.

Here are some of the suggestions we’ve received. Leave further recommendations in the comments here along with the reasons you want your candidate — or candidates — in the tournament and why you think they can win.

To view the old lineup, bios, and results so far, or to vote now, click here.