Josh Hawley reflects on the party's future

After the midterm elections, Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri reflected on the Republican Party's disappointing performance. Independent working-class voters, who previously supported both Barack Obama and Donald Trump, chose to sit out the election, denying the GOP the chance for a broad House majority and a narrow Senate one. The party's soul-searching had begun.

Hawley made a bold statement, saying that the election was the funeral for the Republican Party as we know it. He called for a conversation about the party's core convictions, emphasizing that the GOP must change if it wants to remain a majority party.

Despite the narrow majority secured by Republicans in the House, Speaker-in-Waiting Kevin McCarthy was forced to capitulate to the party's far-right wing to secure the gavel. He expressed optimism about working with the Biden administration, but their relationship has remained distant.

House Republicans are focusing on messaging that may not resonate with swing voters. McCarthy demanded spending cuts in exchange for raising the debt ceiling, which could result in significant job losses. Republicans conducted a hearing to discredit the prosecutor in Trump's fraud case, using unreliable crime stats. DeSantis signed a six-week abortion ban and threatened to build a prison near a family destination. However, these actions could damage the Republican Party's chances in future elections.

The GOP's message seems more geared toward pleasing its fringe than appealing to swing voters. Republicans are focused on the culture wars and anti-trans rights campaigns, which may energize the base but do little to expand the party's tent. The hardball tactics employed by Senate Republicans, who blocked efforts to confirm judges after Senator Dianne Feinstein's temporary removal from the Judiciary Committee, further signal the party's goal of obstructing governance.

Ultimately, Republicans must focus on policies that benefit all Americans, rather than just their base. Performative conservatism may be enjoyable in the moment, but it won't win over the political center. If the GOP wants to remain a major political party in America, it must change its tactics and appeal to a wider range of voters.