Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/104211
Sarasota News Leader January 18, 2013 Miller then responded to a question about a perception that Democrats are good at appealing to people's emotions while Republicans continue to focus on logic: "Where we failed is in our rural voters. There [are] 32 rural counties in Florida, and we haven't grown our margin of victory in those rural counties since 2004 — the white rural Reagan Democrats we are not gaining … I think that this wasn't a social issue election. People were voting their pocketbook. We're seen as the party of torches and pitchforks. We need to start talking about how we can help children and [increase] safety in schools." Page 14 licans, do you have any suggestions on how we can combat this powerful media tool used by the Democrats?" Jackson responded, "One thing I am sure of, being a talk radio host, is AM radio is not going to get it done. Rush Limbaugh can be great … [but] expecting conservative [beliefs] to [flourish from] three guys talking on radio is not going to get it done. … "How do we change that? We have to reframe the message. And I don't know how it's gonna happen." We don't have to change our platform on these issues, but we have to avoid saying the things we continue to say, or bringing up Roe v. Wade, or bringing up traditional marriage versus civil union …. Malave pointed out, "We cannot be seen as not sensitive. [We need to make] sure that there are no barriers for anybody to not feel that they are in their rights as an American citizen." Miller continued with an analogy about "Meathead versus Archie Bunker," describing the latter as "the racist bigot who spoutAndres Malave ed every conservative Field Coordinator for Hispanic Outreach Americans for Prosperity idea. … Meathead is For example, he conthe liberal wacko that tinued, regarding aboris painted as the correct way to think, and that is what I'm talking tion: "[Democrats] have turned it not into an about … They are building up this wave of issue of abortion, but they have turned it into perception … That's what moves the election an issue of women's rights. We have to soften our stance on a lot of these issues … whether in the 2050 plan." it's abortion or gay rights … We don't have to NEWS AND IDEAS change our platform on these issues, but we have to avoid saying the things we continue Moran posed the next question to Johnny to say or bringing up Roe v. Wade or bringing Jackson: "I saw a recent survey [asking] where up traditional marriage versus civil union …" most people get their news ... I fully expected to hear CNN or Fox News. In reality, a shock- Malave added, "I think one of the things that ing percentage of people get their news from the party is constantly criticized for is hypocthe Jon Stewart [Daily] Show or Stephen Col- risy, especially when we come out and say, bert. These are programs shown daily on [the] 'We're the party of personal freedom; we're Comedy [Central] cable [channel]. As Repub- the party of personal responsibility; and then