Geoff Duncan - GOP 2.0: How the 2020 Election Can Lead to a Better Way Forward for Americas Conservative Party

GOP 2.0

How the 2020 Election Can Lead to a Better Way Forward for Americas Conservative Party

Geoff Duncan

Lt. Governor of Georgia

To Brooke and my three sons, Parker, Bayler,

and Ryder, for never leaving my side.

Ill never leave yours.

PROLOGUE THE PRESIDENT WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA

T HE CROWDS FASCINATED MY SONS. they pressed their faces to the windows of the Suburban as our detail of Georgia state troopers guided us along the crowded road leading to the airport. The thick lines of cars, trucks, and people along the roadside stretched for what seemed like miles. Nearly everyone they saw wore a red Make America Great Again cap. People carried flags and signs that left no doubt how they felt about their president.

As a Republican, the big turnout just days ahead of the 2020 election encouraged me.

While the crowds outside mesmerized our three boys, I thought about what Id say at that nights rally. As Georgias lieutenant governor, Id been invited to speak before the president arrived in Rome, Georgia, two nights before Election Day 2020. I was glad my sons Parker, Bayler, and Ryder could see me speak. Having them see the president speak gave me pause, however. While I think any young person should see a president in person if possible, my wife, Brooke, and I cringed thinking of what this president might say in front of our boys and what wed have to explain afterwards.

The boys excitement grew as we progressed through the rings of security at the airport. First, we cleared the local police and sheriff and then passed a checkpoint run by the Georgia State Patrol. Finally, the dark suits and explosive-sniffing dogs of the U. S. Secret Service surrounded the Suburban. The kids were charged up like Id rarely seen them. I thought about how excited Id been as a young pitcher to meet President George H. W. Bush and bond over our love of baseball while I was playing for the Portland Seadogs, the nearest team to his home in Kennebunkport, Maine.

I didnt know someone could be more excited by a president until now. My boys were already excited about seeing Dad speak at a rally and seeing the president. The Secret Service ratcheted up their excitement even further. Ill admit I was almost as energized as they were. I dont care how old you are or how accustomed to government trappings you become, theres still something thrilling about the aura of the presidency.

Darkness fell early and a full moon rose. Brooke and I felt the temperature dropping. We noticed people replacing their red ballcaps with red stocking caps. We sat awkwardly between the two Republican U. S. Senate candidates who were then engaged in a nasty Republican-versus-Republican campaign against each other, and I was happy to be rescued by the stage manager. On his cue, I walked from my seat into the action.

Two enormous American flags flew from cranes flanking the stage. Behind me, the presidential campaign staff had made sure just the right people holding exactly the right signs filled the grandstand. In front of me were 20,000 to 30,000 fully energized Republican voters. Blinding lights and a cold wind hit me. Music played and chants came and went from the crowd, which was clearly unbowed by the weather. Nobody could deny the energy.

I took my place behind the presidential podium. I knew my sons were watching from the crowd so I would deliver my remarks knowing theyd hear every word. They were my accountability partners that night, as they often are. Their presence would make sure I didnt get caught up in the energy of a crowd and say something that was inflammatory, that was only partially true, or that was unkind. If I did any of those things, Id have to answer to my boys.

Its been so interesting for Brooke and me to watch our kids develop their own opinions about politics. Regardless of opinion (and we have different opinions), the guiding force in our house is Love your neighbor. The Duncans know that at the State Capitol, Dad always operates by a guiding principle: Policy over politics. Theyve learned I believe that whatever your party, good public policy should lift all boats. Im a policy wonk and frankly, I dont care who comes up with a good idea. The boys understand I simply want the policy to work well for all Georgians.

And so I closed my speech at the rally with those sentiments. I reminded the crowd (and my sons) how Republican principles can benefit everyone. Every time we lower taxes, its not just for Republicans, I said to light applause. Every time we improve education, its not just for Republicans, its for everybody.

At that point, I noticed slightly less applause and several boos. I went on. Every time we grow the economy or add a job, its not just for Republicans, its for everybody. I could tell that public policy wasnt firing up the faithful as it had done in the past. Well, I thought, at least I wouldnt be stealing any of the presidents thunder that night.

Our conservative values are so good and so strong they even help the people who dont vote for us. I said that as much for my sons as for anybody, but several more boos drifted from the crowd. The applause got a little quieter. Someone called out to hear from Marjorie Taylor Greene, a controversial candidate whod infamously supported QAnon conspiracies and was in attendance that night.

I stood on the stage, looking out at people whod voted for me just two years ago. Why did I feel like a stranger?

A vocal portion of the Republican Party had become unquestioning followers of the man in the White House. He had convinced these good people that if you didnt carry his same tone and support his every decision, you were with them, not him. When the president strayed from long-standing Republican positions, his fans went right along, egged on by other party leaders. At the extreme, some acted as if anyone who dissented didnt countas a member of the party or, increasingly, simply as a citizen. A chilling tone had descended on the party: Youre either with us or against us.

Thats not how you govern a state like Georgia.

Id been largely able to avoid the GOPs national sideshows because Georgians have always cared more about above-the-ground issues that affect them and their families. So I had been able to focus on issues that really matter to my nearly 11 million constituents here in Georgia: jobs, education, and healthcare. I had proudly worked across the aisle on big issues such as passing rural healthcare reform with unanimous support and passing hate crimes legislation with only a handful of dissenters.

You cant make policy without the middle. Nor can you lead a state or countryor win big electionswithout an inclusive coalition. Bipartisan support is not a sign of weakness. Its something I know Georgias voters have appreciated and benefitted from in the form of great policy outcomes and less rancor.

But the national partys rightward drift, its increasingly hard lines, and the presidents tendencies had concerned me long before this one night.

At the podium, I shifted gears to get the crowd back: Lets shock the world and send this blue wave back to the beach where it belongs! That got them. They roared, and I felt them. I understood why the president relishes a good rally. A sea of Make America Great Again hats and waving flags can make a person forget anyone else might hold a different view. I left the stage to deafening chants of Four more years! Four more years!