In a conference call with reporters Wednesday morning, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele reflected on last night’s big win for the GOP, a win that netted one party more seats than any other election since 1938. He noted three things that played an important part in the Republican victories: money, grassroots activism, and a comprehensive strategy.
“We knew that if we were going to be successful in any way, we would need to raise dollars,” said Steele, before announcing that the RNC had been able to raise over $175 million in this election cycle. “[That is] more than any committee in the history of politics in this town for a party not in power,” said Steele.
He also noted that since January, the RNC added 660,000 new donors, and over a million since January 2008. The new donors, however, are largely what Steele called “small-dollar donors,” who gave on average in increments between$43 and $47. Steele also noted that the RNC raised more money this cycle than the Republicans in 1994 and Democrats in 2006.
Steele also attributed much of the GOP’s success to grassroots activism and volunteers.
“I’ve always viewed the Republican Party activists as the ones who will go where no one else will go and do what no one else wants to, to do what it takes to win,” said Steele.
The chairman was clear that last night’s GOP takeover was in large part due to the efforts of people across the country, not a committee in Washington, D.C. “This was an enormous moment for the grassroots and our partners out there,” said Steele, “to send a very important message to the administration and leadership in the House and Senate.”
But probably the biggest factor Steele attributed to last night’s win was the Republican Party’s comprehensive plan and early investments. “We looked at a strategy where we could be competitive in every corner of the U.S.,” said Steele, who called the strategy the “D to H, or Delaware to Hawaii program.”
“Our goal was to devolve activity away from DC to the states,” said Steele. “So we invested money very early.” This strategy, according to Steele, allowed the Republican Party to be competitive in races outside the “fabulous 15” (the states the GOP usually concentrate on), and in areas where the GOP hasn’t been involved in a long time.
Steele also pointed out that the RNC worked with and invested in Republican candidates at all levels of government, even paying off a combined $4 million of debt for the Senate and House Republican committees.
But Steele also acknowledged that Republican gains were not so much a large embrace of the GOP, but more of a repudiation of, or a slamming of the breaks, on the Obama administration — specifically on healthcare reform.
“The healthcare debate became…. a personification of a government that was out of touch and in some ways, mocking of the concerns the American people had,” said Steele. He also said that the Republican Party had learned its lesson
“In two short years, our party has re-emerged stronger…and smarter in many respects,” said Steele. “You’ll see that reflected in the leadership, a party that is prepared to do the most important things. And that is listen, and react and respond to what we heard from the American people.”
He went on to add that if the GOP governs smartly over the next two years, it will be in position to capture the White House in 2012.
“I heard all across the country, ‘you guys better not screw this up because you’re next on the list if you do,” said Steele. In that respect, said Steele, last night’s victory was historic, but also sobering.