Bruised Republicans vow image makeover

Bruised and divided by November’s election losses, Republican leaders emerged from a series of self- analysis and strategy sessions this week with the outlines of a game plan to reverse voting trends that favor Democrats.

After a frank assessment of the party’s shortcomings, state and national officials at the Republican National Committee’s winter meetings vowed, above all, to improve the image of a party that they acknowledge is seen as unwelcoming — or even hostile — to single women and the nation’s growing minority population.

“You are going to see a very aggressive effort by this party to put on a different face,” said Sally Bradshaw, a Florida political strategist and one of five party leaders on a panel that will study how

There were closeddoor strategy sessions on using technology to counter Democrats’ methods of identifying potential supporters

Republicans can refurbish their image.

There were closed- door strategy sessions on using technology to counter Democrats’ sophisticated methods of identifying potential supporters and getting them to vote.

Republican leaders also examined how to improve communications with grass- roots activists who are the backbone of national and local campaigns, and on how to cast the party’s conservative message in more appealing ways.

But the underlying message in the meetings was the challenge that Republicans face in broadening the appeal of a divided party with lingering image problems and declining support among single women, Hispanics and blacks.

Those voting groups helped to carry Democratic President Barack Obama to victory over Republican Mitt Romney in the November elections.