WASHINGTON — After a sweeping review of its 2012 election efforts, the Republican Party will work overhaul the way it chooses a presidential candidate, including shortening its primary season and limiting the number of debates, party leaders are expected to announce Monday.
Republicans, trying to heed the lessons of their 2012 losses in advance of the 2016 election cycle, also plan to unveil proposals for improving the way the party talks about its ideas, turns out potential voters and raises money. Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, was set to outline the plans at a news conference in Washington on Monday morning, acknowledging Democrats’ comparative success with digital strategy and outreach to voters in critical demographic groups.
Mr. Priebus will announce that the party will “create a system that sets earlier guidelines for a more rational number of debates,” according to excerpts from his prepared remarks released in advance of the announcement. Mr. Priebus will pledge “no more August conventions” and other measures to shorten the primary process.
In addition to hiring a new chief technology officer and overhauling its digital strategy, the national party also plans to invest $10 million to bring on new staff to help appeal to young, women and minority voters.
Drafted by Republican National Committee members and party strategists, including Ari Fleischer, a former White House press secretary for President George W. Bush, the “Growth and Opportunity Project” took into account focus groups that called Republicans “narrow-minded,” “out of touch” and “stuffy old men.”
“The report minces no words in telling us that we have to be more inclusive,” Mr. Priebus is expected to say.
Republicans, trying to heed the lessons of their 2012 losses in advance of the 2016 election cycle, also plan to unveil proposals for improving the way the party talks about its ideas, turns out potential voters and raises money. Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, was set to outline the plans at a news conference in Washington on Monday morning, acknowledging Democrats’ comparative success with digital strategy and outreach to voters in critical demographic groups.
Mr. Priebus will announce that the party will “create a system that sets earlier guidelines for a more rational number of debates,” according to excerpts from his prepared remarks released in advance of the announcement. Mr. Priebus will pledge “no more August conventions” and other measures to shorten the primary process.
In addition to hiring a new chief technology officer and overhauling its digital strategy, the national party also plans to invest $10 million to bring on new staff to help appeal to young, women and minority voters.
Drafted by Republican National Committee members and party strategists, including Ari Fleischer, a former White House press secretary for President George W. Bush, the “Growth and Opportunity Project” took into account focus groups that called Republicans “narrow-minded,” “out of touch” and “stuffy old men.”
“The report minces no words in telling us that we have to be more inclusive,” Mr. Priebus is expected to say.