Introduction

The Republican Party is one of the two major Political Parties in the United States, the Democratic Party being the other. It is popularly referred to as the GOP, from its nickname Grand Old Party. Since itpresented its first Presidential candidate in John C. Fremont, in 1856, up to the inauguration of Republican president George Bush in 1989, Republican presidents occupied the White House for 80 years. Conventionally, Republican forte came primarily from the Midwest and New England. After World War II, however, it significantly increased in the regions of the Sunbelt States as well as the West. After World War I the Republican Party became the more conservative of the two major parties, with its backing stemming from the upper-middle class and from the corporate, financial, and farming interests. The party has taken political stances generally in favor of laissez- faire, free enterprise, and fiscal responsibility and against the welfare state.

This paper is going to give a brief biography of the Republican Party, fondly referred to as the grand old party and a concise history of its humble beginnings in Michigan to the present force that it has matured into. In addition, the paper is going to outline the political platform that forms the foundation of the Republican Party highlighting the changes in its ideologies since early its formation years. The paper will finally conclude by giving a succinct criticism of the republican candidate, presently the presidential at the last presidential election in 2012.

Biography

The history of the Republican Party reveals that the road has not been smooth. Since its founding in the mid 1850s, the party has enjoyed tremendous support from many citizens in the United States. They have had many republican presidents who have contributed to a great deal in the growth of United States. This has boosted their supporter’s confidence by allowing them to dominate the political arena for many years. The Republican Party was founded on very strong principles. The Party’s chronicle is marked with much intrigue and drama. From its first presidential nominee, known as John Fremont, to the latest, by the name of Mitt Romney, the republican history is a story rich with teachings and lessons that are invaluable to any new party.

According to Wagner (14), the Republican Party was founded in Ripon, Wisconsin, on the night of March 20, 1854.  A group of Whigs, Free Soilers, and Democrats met at a schoolhouse to create a party that accurately reflected their views on government. They chose the name “Republican” to show their ties to Thomas Jefferson’s Democratic – Republican Party, which had briefly been known as the Republican Party when it was founded.

Their first presidential candidate was in the 1856 election, two years after their formation. The presidential candidate they chose was John C. Fremont, a leading figure in the exploration of the West who had earned the nickname “the pathfinder” for his adventures (Laone, Laone and Laone 1-2). The political platform for the new Republican Party was reflected in a campaign that called for congress to ban slavery in the western territories and in it slogan: “Free Labor, Free Speech, Free Men, Free Kansas and Fremont” (Wagner 14-15). Their strongest support base started mainly from New England and the Mid West.The Party lost in this election. However, it displayed an impressive showing especially for an inexperienced candidate leading a 2-year-old party. They captured 92 seats in the House of Representatives, and gained 20 seats in the senate(Anderson 15-16). This showing reflected the extent to which the party’s principles and ideologies synchronized with the beliefs and values of the American public. They won their first presidential election in 1860 under the candidature of George Washington, and went ahead to win the subsequent presidential elections until 1913 and 1921 when the Democratic Party gained control.

Over the years, the Republican Party has gone through various challenges, some of which cost them dearly and some of which strengthened the party. Some of the major incidents that they went through included the splitting of the Republican into two groups; the republicans who were interested primarily in reforming America and the republicans who still favored business, this split cost them the presidential elections in 1913 through 1921 when the Democratic Party gained control (McPherson 50-51). The great depression of the 1930s was another key event in the Republican Party (Wagner 16). The public blamed the republican presidents for the economic downturn and chastised the government for not responding to the needs of the public. Consequently, they were unable to gain control of the presidency during this period. Another significant event in the history of the Republican Party was the Watergate scandal of 1972. In the 1960s, through their “southern strategy” that aimed towards winning the southern Caucasian vote, Nixon was able to get enough votes to win the election.  This winning strategy would eventually lead to its utilization by president Regan and George W bush. However, President Nixon damaged the Republican Party’s reputation by participating in the Watergate scandal from 1969-1974, when he hired a group of people to break into the Democratic Party headquarters and steal their election campaign strategy that was to take place later that year. Facing impeachment, President Nixon chose to resign (Anderson 15-16). This scandal led to a large portion of the public, especially the minorities to lose trust in the Republican Party resulting to their voting for democratic candidates for the subsequent presidential candidates.

From the time it ran its first Presidential candidate, John C. Fremont, in 1856, until the inauguration of Republican George Bush in 1989, Republican presidents occupied the White House for 80 years. During this period, it contributed notable presidents such as Abraham Lincoln, who took office on May 1861, and is famous for leading the nation during its worst internal conflict, the civil war and strengthening and organizing the Republican Party informally referred to as the party of Lincoln. Other notable presidents included Theodore Roosevelt; Herbert hoover; Richard Nixon; Gerald Ford; Ronald Regan; and George W Bush among 18 republican presidents.

The republican presidential candidate for the 2012 presidential election was mitt Romney. Through his candidature, the Republican Party was unable to capture the presidential election, although the party displayed a strong showing.

History of the Republican Party

The United States that existed in the 1850’s was a nation united only by name (Wagner 8). Disputes over many issues bitterly divided the American public. The nation had not yet celebrated 100 years of independence, and the guiding principles of government that were once clearly defined had withered in the face of new issues that claimed the publics attention (Gienapp). These controversies would soon plunge the nation into a civil war.

The Republic Party’s history is marked with much intrigue and drama. Since its founding in the mid 1850s, the party has enjoyed tremendous support from many citizens in the United States. They have had many republican presidents who have contributed to a great deal in the growth of United States. This boosted their supporter’s confidence by allowing them to dominate the political arena for many years. The Republican Party was founded on very strong principles. From its first presidential nominee, known as John Fremont, to the latest, by the name of Mitt Romney, the republican history is a story rich with teachings and lessons that are invaluable to any new party.

A number of events happened between 1848 and 1854 that helped in establishing the Republican Party within a short period. The two reasons which were to a great extent responsible for the establishment of the Republican Party were: the issue of slavery and the rise and collapse of the American Party (Laone, Laone and Laone 5). The other main reason why the Republican Party came together was the outrage regarding the passage of the Kansa-Nebraska Act. The Republican Party held its initial meeting in Michigan where important party rules were set. The meeting reintroduced the party’s previous principles of having country with free people, free ownership of land, and work that was not forced. Free labor reflected the republican idea of movable middle classes that would leave the labor force and start their own small businesses, free land was the republican endeavor to make possible the idea of free enterprise by handling out government-owned land to the people (Anderson 15-16). They believed that such radical changes would ultimately assist in ensuring that slavery was abolished. In addition to opposing slavery, the Republican Party put in place a movement to advocate for modernization in the United States. This called for advancement in education, banking sector, rail roads, trade and industry, and urbanization, as well as guaranteeing free farmland to farmers. The party insisted that free-enterprise labor was greater than slavery and the basis of civic values and American values was very essential to them (Laone, Laone and Laone).

The Republican Party first rose to power on local and state levels rather than the national stage. It was founded in Ripon, Wisconsin, on the night of March 20, 1854 (Wagner 14).  A group of Whigs, Free Soilers, and Democrats met at a schoolhouse to create a party that accurately reflected their views on government. They chose the name “Republican” to show their ties to Thomas Jefferson’s Democratic – Republican Party, which had briefly been known as the Republican Party when it was founded. Jefferson’s party had supported states’ rights, anexacting interpretation of the constitution and a decentralized government with limited powers. Slowly, support for the Republican Party grew. Republican candidates won state election in Maine, Vermont, Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan in 1954. As the collapse of the Whig party became more apparent, Lincoln and other prominent political figures agreed to join the new party. Free Soilers, Democrats, and Know Nothings, as well as Whigs, helped ensure that this new party was more a coalition than a single-issue organization. The party represented a number of clear political positions: Antislavery, conservative economic programs marked by high tariffs on imported goods, and rapid development of the West by government-supported homesteading.

In 1856, the Republican Party held its first presidential nomination convention in Philadelphia. The candidate they chose was John C. Fremont. The political platform of the new republican party was reflected in a campaign that called for congress to ban slavery in the western territories and in it slogan: “Free Labor, Free Speech, Free Men, Free Kansas and Fremont” (Wagner 14-15). Despite the fact that the party was new to the national scene, Fremont did surprisingly well, winning two-fifths of the electoral votes and carrying 11 states in the North. Measuring the strengths and failings of the election, the party leadership believed that they had perhaps focused too heavily on the slavery issue and resolved to focus in the Northern states that they had failed to carry, on the issues that spoke most directly to those voters. Tariffs on imports were emphasized in industrial and mining regions. Support for homesteader was emphasized in regions where that issue was the principal focus of political debate (Wagner 16).

Since their first attempt in the presidency in 1856 to the present day, the Republican Party has grown and changed. From its antislavery origins, the party would continue to take moral stands on certain issues. It has become known as the party of business and of national defense, and has come to dominate American politics for long stretches of time (Anderson 17). From the time it ran its first Presidential candidate, John C. Fremont, in 1856, until the inauguration of Republican George Bush in 1989, Republican presidents have occupied the White House for 80 years

The Republican Party Platform                                                         

The Republican Party platform is generally based upon American conservatism.

The Republican Party platform of 1856 is considered the most important political platform in American history (McPherson 50). It fused different factions into a new political movement that would dictate American politics for the following 76 years, prevailing in 14 of the 19 presidential elections. It also heralded the end of 36 years of political obfuscation on the subject of slavery in America, that ultimately resulted to the civil war (McPherson 52). The Republican Party platform of 1856, more than any other party platform in America, was designed to collate a new political philosophy and to solidify an alliance of highly fractious political cogency into a cogent and compelling movement.

At its formation, the Republican Party was a party with strong beliefs and ideologies. The republicans founding principles included doing away with slavery while ensuring freedom of speech and women’s rights. They also advocated for a smaller government, reforming the system of government, and empowering states. They had a founding principle of putting the needs of the poor first, thus since its beginning it has fought for the rights of individuals instead of having a large government (Laone, Laone and Laone 11).

The Republican Party is historically referred to as the party of Abraham Lincoln (Mayer 25), the first republican president who signed the emancipation proclamation. Since its early beginnings, the party always stood for individuals and not the government. It is this individualistic ideology that has continued to gear the party efforts into smaller, less invasive government. It held its initial meeting in Michigan where it introduced the party’s principles of having a country with free people, free ownership of land, and work that was not forced (Mayer 26). Free labor reflected the republican idea of movable middle classes that would leave the labor force and start their own small businesses, free land was the republican endeavor to make possible the idea of free enterprise by handling out government-owned land to the people.They believed that such radical changes would ultimately assist in ensuring that slavery was abolished. In addition to opposing slavery, the Republican Party put in place a movement to advocate for modernization in the United States (Laone, Laone and Laone 1-2).. This called for advancement in education, banking sector, rail roads, trade and industry, and urbanization, as well as guaranteeing free farmland to farmers. The party insisted that free-enterprise labor was greater than slavery and the basis of civic values and American values was very essential to them (Laone, Laone and Laone 6). The party campaigned with these principles, a trend that endeared the party to many low-income citizens, and thus its popularity increased very fast.

In so many ways are the present beliefs of the Republican Party similar to the principles and beliefs that are were observed in the party when it was founded. The party believed in protecting the lives of every individual, despite his race, color, or background (Gould 5). In this way, every person had a right to personal dignity, freedom and potentials and accordingly every person was to be honored. The party advocated for a free society whereby people were given the opportunity to invest in what they preferred. Through this, they advocated for free markets with minimal government involvement in the people’s affairs (Mayer 25). They fought for the rights of the oppressed, especially the black slaves and women. They also advocated for a smaller government that would fulfil the needs of the poor and which guaranteed economic responsibility by making sure that individuals were able to keep most of the resources they accumulated. This meant lower taxes and enabled the public to keep most of what they earned. They did not want a bloated government that was full of corruption and injustices. A smaller government was considered much closer to the people and could access closely the needs of the society. This way, the government would be able to help the poor people in the society achieve a better quality of life than a system of government that would have to solve the needs of the large government first.

These beliefs that were founded in the beginning of the Republican Party are still the same beliefs that guide the party upto the present day. In their 2012 platform: “We Believe In America”. The party reinstated its firm position on a smaller and leaner government, minimum taxation, litigation and regulation, promoted entrepreneurship and innovation to promote the middle class. They stand by the principle: Trust the People; Limit the Government; Respect federalism, and Guarantee Opportunity, not Outcome.

In the 2012 platform they reaffirmed their firm believe in small businesses and entrepreneurship, their belief in tax relief program as one that will grow the economy and create jobs, sound monetary policies that address inflation and balancing the budget, expanding opportunities for home ownership, freedom at the work place. The party past and present platform and fundamental ideologies are the key foundations that have guided the Republican Party to success and endure in the midst of challenges and complex situations that American politics has only too willing presented.

Criticism of the Republican Candidate – Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney was the republican candidate for the 2012 presidential election. However, he was unable to win the presidency. Many reasons have been put forward to explain why the party lost the election despite the candidate leading in two opinion polls carried out prior to the presidential election. Some have blamed it on the party ideologies and positions which did not auger well with the populace and some plainly blamed it on their candidate’s personality.

The private nature of Mitt Romney. This was a key weakness of the republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney (Kranish) especially considering that he was a presidential candidate. He was deemed a deeply private person, who avoided revealing too much of himself to the public. He drew a wall around him that was difficult to reach out to and made him seem distant to the electorate. He came across as having a strict social order that reduces social relationships into an Us-and-Them model. This easily reduced him to a caricature, a calculating man of astounding wealth and who was unable to relate to the average citizen (Kranish). His Mormon faith also placed him outside the mainstream.

Mitt Romney also possessed personal traits which were in the eye a disadvantage to his team. In many of the national debates that he took part in, he came out as very ignorant, boorish and inexperienced (Kranish and Helman). It was apparent that he did not have a complete picture of international relations and this would have resulted to a collapse of trade relations with major trading partners.

Romney was also a candidate who lacked a firm stand on any one particular issue (Daily Kos Staff). He changed positions on various national concerns and this made him seem weak and a minion to the prevailing circumstances. On several occasions he stated he was conservative and on equally many occasions stated he was moderate. The same applied on his opinion on choice, stem cell research, failed Regan policies, minimum wage, healthcare mandates, immigration reforms, gay adoption, bank bailouts, climate change and Iraqi war; his stand was always inconsistent and was never known for certain.

Lack of new and or credible policy ideas. The republican candidate displayed lack of knowledge and experience when it comes to policies, especially so, foreign policy. He was against the level of security funding that Israel was receiving, he considered Russia a strategic partner on vital issues despite the fact that Russia is Americas number one geopolitical foe. Additionally, he stated that he would protect Czechoslovakia, a country that was non-existent (Kinsley). These statements made Romney seem unaware of the current priorities of the United States and in extent showed that he was not in touch with the voice of American people and current events in the global arena which United Statesis a key player.

His failure to connect with the minorities was another key weakness on his part (The Guardian Staff). The alienation of the black and Latino communities was an overlooking that could to a large extent reflect on his character, ignorant and proud. In addition to his personal characteristics, his Republican Party stance and policies worked against many of the communities in America. GOP policies were unfavorable to the public, especially the minorities who felt that the positions taken were against their interests. This resulted to majority of the Latinos, Asian-Americans, Jewish, women, blacks and young people not voting for him.

A lack of tactical execution excellence is another short coming of the republican candidate (Wyler).The real cause for his loss in the 2012 presidential election was faulted on the failure of his online voter turnout system (ORCA). In his campaign, Romney touted ORCA as an unrivalled high-tech means of communicating with the 30,000 field volunteers who were posted at polling stations on Election Day (The Week Staff ). This system failed miserably. The disastrous project ORCA was an expensive technological undertaking that was supposed to provide the campaign with real time poll monitoring that would allow GOP to target GOTV efforts on the election. However, it failed and left many of the republican volunteers confused and frustrated on Election Day.

However, his failure to win the presidential win can also be attributed to the attractiveness democratic candidate. The democratic candidate was articulate, charming and still had the appeal of the minority communities of America who had voted for him 4 years earlier. He also was keen on not becoming a one term president.

Conclusion

`The Republican Party is one of the most striking success stories in American political annals. A formidable political organization after only a few short years, resulting to the party elected its first president in its second national campaign. Holding power during the greatest crisis the republic ever counted, it preserved the Union, abolished slavery, and enacted some of the most significant and far-reaching legislative programs in the nation’s history.

Cited works

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Gould, Lewis L. Grand Old Party; A History of the Republicans. New York: Random House, 2003.

Kinsley, Michael. Mitt Romney’s Failed Definition of Success. 13 April 2012. 25 May 2014. <http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2012-04-19/mitt-romney-candidate-or-motivational-poster->.

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McPherson, James. Battle Cry of Freedom. New York: Oxford University Press, 1988.

The Guardian Staff. Mitt Romney tells Fox campaign’s ‘real mistake’ was disconnect with minorities. 3 March 2013. 25 May 2014. <http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/03/mitt-romney-fox-mistake-campaign>.

The Week Staff . Why Mitt Romney will regret blaming his loss on Obama’s ‘gifts’ to minorities. November 15 2012. 25 May 2014. <http://theweek.com/article/index/236469/why-mitt-romney-will-regret-blaming-his-loss-on-obamas-gifts-to-minorities>.

Wagner, Heather Lehr. The History of the Republican Party. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2007.

Wyler, Grace. Insiders Explain How Mitt Romney’s Campaign Completely Fell Apart On Election Day. 12 November 2012. 25 May 2014. <http://www.businessinsider.com/romney-project-orca-election-day-collapse-2012-11>.

 
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