Out of tone

I must say, I'm shocked that this is still alive.

A member of the Republican National Committee told me Tuesday that when the RNC meets in an extraordinary special session next week, it will approve a resolution rebranding Democrats as the “Democrat Socialist Party.”

I just have to say that I think this hits at the core of the Republicans communication problem. Even if they didn't have problems with their positions on issues and weren't facing demographic diminution, they still have this critical internal perceptual gap which undermines their message.

They sincerely believe that the people who surround them, now the farthest right, somehow reflect the heart of the country, and building their message off these people will lead them back to power. Two thoughts.

1) The message is out of tone. America, at least the political center of America (that part that wins and loses elections,) doesn't want to hear over the top invective right now. (They will again, but not right now.)

2) Republicans have a tremendous credibility gap with the center of the country. The Republicans need to either genuinely admit their mistakes in governance or wait until the American people forget.

So, shout "socialist" or "Obama sides with terrorists" all you want. Most of America's not listening to you. You're out of tone with the mood of the country and no one will believe you until you get your credibility back.

Then you can deal with the mountains of issue and demographic problems.