Republicans Adjust Brand to Absorb Alienated Moderate Conservatives

Is Black the new Black?

When Barack Obama won the Presidential election, a shift occurred around the world. Suddenly, a black man attained the highest position of power in the United States and arguably the world. People across America said they had not believed that they would live to see the day when a "black man" would win the Presidency.

In response to President Obama's surprising and effective campaign, delegates of the Republican National Committee selected former Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele as its new chairman, hoping to change its brand from that of extreme Limbaugh loving conservatives to that of minority embracing pro-economic moderates.

Former RNC Chairman Mike Duncan responded to the news by declaring, "Obviously the winds of change are blowing." Duncan had hoped to have been re-elected.

"It's time for something completely different," Steele said at his acceptance speech. "We are going to bring this party to every corner, every board room, every neighborhood, every community, and we are going to say to friend and foe alike, we want you to be a part of us. We want you to work with us. And for those of you who want to obstruct, get ready to get knocked over."

"The RNC isn't diverse yet," said CBS News chief political consultant Marc Ambinder. "When people speak of broadening the party's geographic diversity, they are speaking in code. They mean that the party needs to welcome more moderates; needs to be more forgiving of departures from orthodoxy; needs to be less antagonistic to pro-choicers and gays."