GOP aims to improve inclusivity

The Republican Party is feeling pressure after its national committee released a critical self-analysis of November’s election losses Monday — and UNC’s conservative leaders support the modifications, which aim to broaden the party’s appeal.

The report’s authors found the party to be perceived as largely out of touch with the public and called for a more modern message for the party in federal elections.

“It pretty much says we need to be a more open and inclusive party,” said Peter McClelland, who was elected chairman of the UNC College Republicans Monday.

The party needs to include more voters who share the same values of fiscal conservatism and limited government, but might have different stances on social issues, foreign policy and immigration, he said.

“They need to have that spot at the table. Even if the whole party does not shift, they need to have a spot at the table,” McClelland said. “We need to play on the similarities we do have with others instead of saying, ‘We’re different, we’re not going to change, and we’re not going to let you in because of that.’”

One focus of the report is the youth vote. Last year, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney lost voters younger than 30 by 5 million votes.

Lauren Friedmann, a math and economics double major, said she sees a gap between the Republican Party and her college peers, especially with social issues like gay marriage and access to contraception.

“There seems to be a great disconnect between their current beliefs and messages, and what we’ve been feeling and pushing for,” she said.

One way to persuade more people to vote Republican — especially youth — is for the party to embrace the libertarian ideals of protecting civil liberties and maintaining free markets, said Everett Lozzi, a senior and state chairman of Young Americans for Liberty.

Steven Greene, political science professor at N.C. State University, said he thinks reaching out to more groups is a smart move for the party.

“They are going to be the ones who move into positions of political power,” he said. “They need to bring more voters in and convince everyone they’re not just the party of angry, old, white men.”

Peter Vogel, president of the UNC Young Democrats, said that, though the report lacks calls for substantive policy changes, the party should broaden its scope.

“It’s good for the country when both parties compete for these voting blocks because electoral competition ensures that each party will tailor their polices to win votes,” Vogel said.

Greene said the Republican message will take time to change and will only come when the party’s survival is threatened.

“Reports don’t change things — elections do.”

Contact the desk editor at state@dailytarheel.com.