GOP, change message, not policies

LETTERS LETTERS@USATODAY.COM

USA TODAY’s Jill Lawrence only got it half right when she wrote: “If … Republicans stick to this script and these policies, not to mention to this president, it’s hard to envision female voters finding much to like.” Republicans do need to change their script. But, fortunately for them, they do not need to change their policies.

For example, pollsters do a disservice by asking about “Trump’s immigration policies.” The president aside, other polls show majorities of women (and men) support greater border security, ending the diversity visa lottery, and putting higher emphasis on education and skills (over family ties).

Nationally, Republicans failed to address voters’ No. 1 issue: health care. That was a mistake.

In their defense, Republicans face an uphill battle, as mainstream news media publications (including women’s magazines) fuel a self-fulfilling prophecy about a lack of female support for the GOP.

After all, what is popular is not always what is better. In this environment, Republicans must do better to communicate, but they need not change course on policy.

Hadley Heath Manning Director of policy Independent Women’s Forum

Washington, D.C.

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Women, of course, but don’t forget that young people, blacks and Hispanics are not too crazy about Republicans, either.

The old white guys who want to con- trol everything are dying off. Rural America is shrinking and the big cities are growing. Women are ascendant. The nation is getting browner. The youth are sick and tired of getting gunned down in their schools. With the inexorably changing demographics and growth of metropolitan areas, the future bodes well for progressive candidates who want to move the nation forward.

Robert Strobel