Are 'tone-deaf' Republicans ignoring mainstream voters?

GOP candidates are focusing almost exclusively on ultra-conservative talking points, potentially alienating the independents they desperately need to beat Obama In a "fiercely combative" debate Wednesday night, the four remaining GOP presidential candidates zealously touted their conservative bona fides, focusing on far-right favorites like immigration, abortion, and earmarks. Meanwhile, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, and Ron Paul barely discussed the lackluster economy, which most voters consider to be the most pressing issue facing the country. The debate reportedly left some Republicans worried that focusing on the fringes could undermine the party, which needs an inclusive message to appeal to independent voters in November. Did the debate hurt the GOP's chances against President Obama?

The GOP is crippling itself with Hispanics and women: The GOP is increasingly "talking to itself," say John F. Harris and Jonathan Martin at Politico, and candidates are slipping into "tone-deafness." Romney, for example, strongly praised Arizona's controversial immigration law — an applause line with Republicans, but a loser with Hispanics, who comprise the country's fastest-growing voting bloc. And the candidates' "extended back and forth on contraception" could turn off "independent suburban women," another crucial voting demographic.
"GOP fears rise over 2012 tone, message"

Huh? Candidates should offer more conservative red meat: Sadly, Wednesday's debate was run by the mainstream media for a mainstream audience, "not by the GOP for GOP voters," says Hugh Hewitt at his blog. Conservatives want to hear GOP candidates talk about "the president's dismal record" on bankrupt green energy giant Solyndra, the "Fast and Furious" gun-running debacle, recess appointments, and other issues important to the Right. If anything, these debates aren't conservative enough.
"The debate and a reply to Conor Friedersdorf re Mark Levin"

SEE MORE: Wednesday's season finale of American Political Gladiators

Let's face it — conservatives have hijacked the party: The GOP's problems are much deeper than focus and messaging, says Booman Tribune. The real issues "stem from an increasingly unpopular agenda." Many of the conservative activists deciding the GOP primaries want to eliminate entitlement programs, criminalize abortion, ignore climate change, and essentially return America to the 1950s. Most mainstream Americans "want no part of their actual agenda." It's no wonder the GOP establishment is concerned.
"Rhetoric won't save you"

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Are Oscar voters too 'old, white, and male'?

A new study breaks down the demographics of Academy Awards voters, revealing that they are far more homogeneous than previously thought As Hollywood prepares to dish out the 2012 Oscars on Sunday night, a new report detailing the demographics of the 5,765 Academy voters is sending a jolt through the film industry. According to a study conducted by the Los Angeles Times, 86 percent of Oscar voters are over age 50, 94 percent are white, and 77 percent are male — demographics that do not exaclty mirror the typical moviegoing audience. Just how troubling is it that the overwhelming majority of Oscar voters are "old, white, and male?"

This is extremely worrisome: "The Oscar demographics seem to both reflect and perpetuate a much bigger issue," says Angie Han at Slash Film. When a voting population is so heavily comprised of a single demographic, "that demographic's general preferences can't help but be overrepresented." And in Oscar's case, that has major consequences. When certain movies score Academy Awards, that "in turn encourages Hollywood to keep making and promoting certain types of films… while overlooking others."
"Shocker: Oscar voters mostly old, white, male"

And the Academy's reforms aren't enough: These findings are "even worse than I ever imagined," says Katey Rich at Cinema Blend. To be fair, the Academy appears to be making an effort to diversify its membership by inviting the likes of Beyonce and Seth Rogen to cast ballots. But it's not enough. So on Sunday night, when you're "slamming your head against the table because Shame didn't get nominated and The Artist is winning everything," you'll know why. "If you're not a a white man over the age of 50, there's a good chance the Oscars don't represent your taste at all."
"Find out just how old, white, and male the Oscar voters are"

It's time for dramatic change: Last year, there were no major Oscar nominations for people of color, says Gregory Ellwood at HitFix. This year, there are just three. And because of the arcane system by which the Academy inducts new members, it could take decades to remedy the situation and make the body younger and more diverse — in other words, to have it reflect the actual moviegoing public. It's time to take a dramatic step to fix this. "Perhaps 7,000 or so phone calls will make it more of a priority the Monday after this year's big show."
"Surprise: The Academy is more white, more male, and even older than you probably thought"

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The 'most volatile race in history': Why GOP voters can't make up their minds

Romney can't seal the deal. Santorum is surging. Gingrich is plotting a comeback. Paul's devoted fans are keeping the faith. And voters just can't settle on a favorite Judging from a series of wild swings in the polls, the 2012 GOP presidential primaries have become "the most volatile nomination race in history." This month, Rick Santorum became the 11th person to top a nationwide survey of Republicans' presidential preferences since campaigning began last year, following in the footsteps of Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Chris Christie, Newt Gingrich, Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, and, yes, Donald Trump. Why can't GOP voters make up their minds?

They've got a weak frontrunner: "Romney leads the delegate hunt," says Thomas Beaumont for the Associated Press, and theoretically, at least, he's got "the money and the organization" to sew this up. But Santorum's recent three-state sweep was a fresh "reminder of Romney's failures to win over conservatives." That, coupled with numerous "self-inflicted" setbacks — "I like being able to fire people" — have made Romney an unusually feeble frontrunner. That makes for a "volatile — and long" — race.
"From get-go, GOP primary has been a roller coaster"

Republicans don't like any of their options: It's not just Romney, says Ewen MacAskill at Britain's Guardian. Republicans can't muster much love for any of their candidates. Outside his devoted following, "there are few who regard Ron Paul as a viable candidate." Gingrich has baggage aplenty. And while Santorum's "anti-gay marriage, anti-abortion, and anti-contraception" platform pleases social conservatives, many other Republicans have "deep reservations" about him. No wonder GOP voters are playing the field.
"Republican race reaches half-time — so what have we learned so far?"

Negative ads are bringing everybody down: Romney's "'scorched earth' attack ads" put an end to Gingrich's surge after his win in South Carolina, says Randy Evans at Newsmax. But they also created a negative atmosphere that doused enthusiasm for Romney, and for the race in general. As a result, turnout has been low and Romney has faced a backlash. In this toxic environment, don't be too surprised if the lead changes hands once again — and soon.
"How Gingrich wins the GOP nomination"

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Why GOP voters are sitting out the primaries: 4 theories

Mitt Romney handily won the Nevada GOP presidential caucuses on Saturday, taking 50 percent of the votes and all but three counties. However, only about 33,000 people caucused — 10,000 fewer than four years ago, and about half the number state Republicans were predicting. The disappointing turnout follows underwhelming Republican participation in Iowa, New Hampshire, and especially Florida. Aren't Republican voters supposed to be "fired up to dispose of the Obama presidency?" asks Ed Rogers at The Washington Post. Maybe not. Here, four explanations for the GOP's lagging turnout:

1. GOP voters are disappointed with the candidates
Democrats voted in their primaries and caucuses in record numbers in 2008 because they had "two candidates with fervent support," says Carter Eskew at The Washington Post. This year's shrinking GOP numbers "support the general consensus that the field is weak," and Republicans are reacting with a "curious" indifference. "There's a lot of people not satisfied with any of the candidates out there," said one of those candidates, Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), on Sunday. "And that's why in many ways we're seeing a lower turnout right now."

SEE MORE: Is Nevada's Tea Party too dysfunctional to trip up Mitt Romney?

2. Actually, it's just Romney who fails to excite voters
"When Newt Gingrich surged in South Carolina, he brought along massive gains in turnout — record turnout, in fact," says Mathew D. Staver in The Washington Times. When Romney "surged" in Florida, turnout dropped 12 percent. Clearly, the real problem isn't the GOP field, it's Romney. In his big Nevada win, Romney trounced his opponents with... just under 16,500 votes, says Dean Esmay at Dean's World. "Romney's Achilles heel continues to be voter enthusiasm," and it will be a problem when "dispirited conservatives" stay home in November.

3. Negative campaigning is turning off voters
Sure, Romney isn't a particularly strong frontrunner, says Mike Smithson in Britain's The Telegraph. But this is more about "the impact of negative campaigning." After a brutal, exceedingly expensive slash-and-burn ad blitz between Romney and Gingrich in Florida, turnout plummeted. "There have been a number of academic studies that suggest that while negative campaigning can motivate the base of support it can also alienate other voters, thus reducing voter turnout."

SEE MORE: Nominating Mitt Malaprop

4. Saturday caucuses are inconvenient
The average GOP voter ardently wants Obama to be a one-term president, but doesn't much care which candidate replaces him, say Nevada Republicans — at least not enough to give up a Saturday. "Republicans are excited to get a new president in," Nevada GOP official David Buell tells the Las Vegas Sun. "Are they excited about going to a caucus? Apparently not."

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